Ministry
of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India launched a scheme called
“ Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children” (SPDC), for the academic
year 2021-22 on May 31,
2021, for the Children of NRIs/ PIOs belonging to 69 countries in
pursuing under graduate courses in several disciplines in India. A copy
of the revised guidelines are attached herewith for ready reference. Only fresh year students ( Ist year) shall be eligible to get the scholarship.
The following are the highlights of the SPDC for the academic year 2021-22, which has been announced by the Ministry on May 31, 2021
(i) The scheme is open to four categories of applicants in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on July 31, 2021.
(a) Children of Persons of Indian Origin
(b) Children of Non-Resident of Indians
(c) Children of Indian workers of ECR countries – studying outside India.
(d) Children of Indian workers in ECR countries– studying in India.
(ii)
The total seats of scholarships is 150, out of which 50 seats are
reserved for the category (c) and (d). Of these 50 scholarships, 1/3rd
shall be reserved for children who are pursuing studies in India,
subject to the fulfilling eligibility conditions. If any of these seats
are not filled up, they will be made available to applicants from other
categories under SPDC and vice-versa.
(iii) Children of NRIs should have pursued at least three years of education, inclusive of 11th & 12th or
equivalent ( not beyond), in a foreign country during the last six
years, and should have passed the qualifying examination abroad.
(iv)
Candidates would be selected on the basis of their performance in the
qualifying examination ( equivalent to plus 2 stage in India) which
decides the eligibility to apply for the scholarship scheme. The
candidates would also have to fulfill all the criteria prescribed for
the purpose.
(v) The institutions that are covered under this scheme are:
(a) NITs, IIITs, Schools of Planning and Architecture
(b) ‘A’ Grade institutions accredited by NAAC and recognized by UGC.
(c) Other institutions covered under DASA scheme.
(vi)
The amount of scholarship admissible would be 75% of the total
Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) subject to a maximum of US$ 4000/- per
annum in respect of NITs and other Institutions covered under DASA
Scheme. IEC includes Tuition fee, Hostel fee & other institutional
charges ( Food charges are excluded).
(vii)
The total monthly income of the parent(s) of the applicant should not
exceed an amount of equivalent of US$ 5000/- . The parents of the
applicants will provide a self attested salary certificate from the
employer based in a foreign country.
(viii)
After obtaining admission in selected courses in any of the specified
Institutes as mentioned in Appendix “C”, students who fulfill all other
eligibility conditions can complete and submit the on-line application
form on the SPDC portal ( www.spdc.india.gov.in).
(ix) The last date for submission of the duly filled in application forms in the prescribed format is November 30, 2021.
