Whats New
Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) 2024-25
SPDC scheme is a scholarship scheme of the Ministry of External Affairs to assist the Children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)/ Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who are pursuing Undergraduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes. The SPDC scheme provides them financial assistance towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission charges.
2. Ministry has now launched the SPDC Programme for the academic year 2024-25 for the Children of NRIs/PIOs/OCIs pursuing Undergraduate courses in several disciplines in India.
3. Following are the main features of the SPDC for the academic year 2024-25:-
(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 (other than medical courses). For diaspora students pursuing UG medical courses in Indian Colleges, the duration of scholarship will be from 2nd year to 5th year.
(iii) The selection of applicants for scholarships will be on Merit-cum-Means basis.
(iv) Applicants from all the categories must have passed grade 11th and 12th from abroad.
(v) 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.
(vi) 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).
(vii) The total monthly income of the parent(s) of the NRIs/PIOs/OCIs category applicants should not exceed an amount equivalent to US$ 5000/-.
4. Indian youth/Indian origin youth, who have taken admission in courses in India in Academic Year 2024-25 and are eligible for the scheme, to apply for the scholarship at the earliest.
5. The last date for submission of the duly filled-in application forms in the prescribed format is 27 November 2024. Applicants may send his/her application form for the SPDC scheme at cons.tallinn@mea.gov.in
6. A copy of the SPDC guidelines for 2024-25 is attached herewith for reference.
