Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) was launched by Government of India in the academic year 2006-2007 for the benefit of children of Persons of India Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in pursing their Under Graduate courses in Indian universities/institutions. Financial assistance under SPDC for specific undergraduate courses in professional and non-professional courses, not including medical and related courses, is provided towards tuition fee, admission fee (excluding food charges) and post-admission services. The Scheme is applicable to NRIS and PIOs from 66 select countries including Kuwait.

Under SPDC, scholarships are provided to 150 selected students, without earmarking NRIs/PIOs. Fifty (50) out of these 150 scholarships, are earmarked for Children of Indian Workers (CIWG) in the 17 Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries, including Kuwait, subject to fulfilling eligibility conditions. Further, of these 50 scholarships, 1/3 shall be reserved for children who are pursuing studies in India, subject to 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.

SPDC is awarded to the applicants of the following four categories:

(i) Children of Persons of Indian Origin (except citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh).

(ii) Children of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

(iii) Children of Indian Workers (CIWG) in ECR countries studying outside India; and

(iv) Children of Indian Workers (CIWG) in ECR countries studying in India.

Applicants’ in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on 1st October, 2018 are eligible for SPDC, i.e., applicants born on or after 1st October, 1997 and before 1st October, 2001 are eligible to apply. Candidate must have passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination from Association of Indian Universities (AIU) recognized institute with requisite subjects with minimum qualifying marks of 60%. The total monthly income of the parent(s) of the candidate should not exceed an amount equivalent to US $4000. Parent(s) need to provide self-attested salary certificate from the employer and latest annual Income Tax return.

Applications can be submitted online on SPDC portal at http://spdcindia.gov.in . Only online application forms will be accepted. Admission of students is restricted to the institutes and courses approved under SPDC.

In the first year, partial financial assistance to the extent of 75% of the total Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) subject to a maximum of US $4000 per annum in respect of National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and other institutions covered under Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme w.ef. academic year 2011-2012, if the tuition fee is increased from AY 2011-2012, and if not, then 75% of IEC or US $3600 whichever is less will be made by Ministry of External Affairs of India. For second and subsequent years, students securing 50% in aggregate in an academic year with clear pass marks in all subjects of study, would be eligible to receive the maximum admissible scholarship, i.e., 75% of IEC or US $4000 (or US $3600) whichever is applicable. However, students who secure less than 50% marks in aggregate in an academic year and have obtained clear pass marks in all subjects of study would be eligible to receive 90% (75% of IEC) of the scholarship admissible. Students, who could not secure clear pass marks in all subjects but have been promoted by the institute/university to the next academic year, would be eligible to receive 50% of the admissible scholarship. Students, who have not been promoted to the next academic year, would not be eligible for grant of any further scholarship.

For more information, candidates are advised to visit SPDC website at: http://spdcindia.gov.in/login/guideline.php