Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC)
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India introduced “Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children”(SPDC) in the academic year 2006-2007 for the children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)/ children of Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), to assist them in pursuing Undergraduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes and promote India as a centre of higher studies. The SPDC was subsequently extended to the Children of Indian Workers in Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) in 2015-16.The scheme was extended to children of PIOs/OCIs & NRIs from all countries in 2022-23.
2 Under the SPDC, financial assistance for Undergraduation in India for specific Professional and Non-Professional courses (except Medical and related courses) as provisioned, is provided towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission charges. The application for SPDC scholarship can only be submitted by students of the first year of the Undergraduate courses. SPDC scholarship is granted for the entire duration of Undergraduate courses, and continuation of scholarship in second year and subsequent years will be based on their academic results in the previous year.
3 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/-.
4 A copy of the SPDC guidelines for 2023-24 is attached herewith for reference. Application for the SPDC Scholarship can be made at https://spdcindia.gov.in.
