Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA), Government of India has launched the “Scholarship Programme for
Diaspora Children” (SPDC) for the academic year 2023-24 for the Children of
NRIs/PIOs/OCIs for pursuing undergraduate courses in several disciplines in
India. Only fresh-year undergraduate students (1st year) shall
be eligible to get the scholarship for the entire
duration of the undergraduate course.
2. Following are the main
features of the SPDC for the academic year 2023-24:-
(i) The SPDC Scheme is applicable to eligible applicants from
NRI/PIO/OCI community in all foreign countries.
(ii) Students who have already secured admission in Indian
institutions are eligible to apply. The scheme can only be availed by 1st year
Undergraduate students (not 2nd or 3rd year students) as it provides
scholarship for the entire duration of the Undergraduate course.
(iii) The scheme is open to following two categories in the age
group of 17 to 21 years, as on July 31, 2023:
(a) Children of PIOs/OCIs/NRIs who have studied
outside India in any of the foreign countries; and
(b) Children of Indian workers in ECR countries
(who have studied in India or abroad).
(iv) The total number of
scholarships under the SPDC programme is 150, out of which 50 slots are
reserved for Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries. Further, out of these
50 slots, one-third of slots (i.e. 17 slots ) shall be reserved for those
Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries who have studied in India.
(v) The selection of
applicants for scholarships will be on Merit-cum-Means
basis.
(vi) Applicants from all
the categories must have passed grade 11th and 12th from abroad. However, under the category of Children of
Indian Workers in ECR countries, who have studied in India, the applicant must
have passed grade 11th and 12th or equivalent examination from a system of
education recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
(vii) Following institutions are covered under the SPDC Scheme:
(a) Central Universities
of India offering Undergraduate courses;
(b) ‘A’ Grade institutions
accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and
recognized by UGC.
(c) National Institutes of
Technology (NITs), Schools of Planning and
Architecture and Indian
Institutes of Information and Technology (IIITs) through DASA Scheme.
(viii) The amount of scholarship admissible would be 75% of the
total Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) subject to a maximum of US$ 4,000/- per
annum. IEC includes Tuition fees, Hostel fees & other institutional charges
(Food charges are excluded).
(ix) The total monthly income of the parent(s) of the
NRIs/PIOs/OCIs category applicants should not exceed an amount equivalent to
US$ 5000/- and the total monthly income of the parent(s) of the Indian Workers
in ECR category applicants should not exceed an amount equivalent of US$
3000/-.
3. The last date for submission of the duly
filled-in application forms in the prescribed format is 10 December 2023.
4. A copy of the guidelines
can be accessed at: https://spdcindia.gov.in/ login/guideline.php
