About Us Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC)

1. INTRODUCTION

Government of India launched a scheme called “Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children” (SPDC), in the academic year 2006-2007, for the children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to assist them in pursuing Under Graduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes.

2. SCHEME

Under SPDC scheme financial assistance for specific undergraduate courses in Professional and Non-Professional courses (except Medical and related courses) is provided towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission services.

The scheme is applicable to NRIs and PIOs from 66 select countries as listed at Appendix-A.

3. NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS:

Scholarship shall be provided to 150 selected students, without earmarking NRIs/ PIOs. 50 out of these 150 scholarships are earmarked for Children of Indian workers (CIWG) in the 17 Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries subject to fulfilling eligibility conditions. Of these 50 scholarships 1/3rd 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.

ECR countries are: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

4. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

4.1 Nationality:

(a)    SPDC is awarded to following four categories:

(i)     Children of Person of Indian Origin

(ii)    Children of Non-Resident Indian

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

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

Definitions about these four categories are given below: 

(b) "Persons of Indian Origin" (PIOs) shall mean the Persons who are citizens of other countries (except Pakistan and Bangladesh) who at any time held an Indian Passport, or who or either of his/her parent or any of his/her grandparent was a citizen of India by virtue of provisions of the Constitution of India or Section 2 (B) of Citizenship Act, 1955 (Act No. 57 of 1955). 

Applicants are required to provide documentary evidence towards proof of Indian nationality or Indian origin. 

Persons of India Origin (PIOs) applicants are expected to submit proof of Indian origin, preferably a valid PIO card or OCI card issued by the Government of India. Those who cannot submit documentary evidence of Indian origin are required to submit declaration about Indian origin. Format is at Appendix B.

In the absence of any documentary evidence about Indian origin, an affidavit from the applicant attested by the Head of Indian Mission concerned verifying the Indian Origin status of the applicant may be submitted. 

(c) ` "NRI" in this context means Non -Resident Indians as defined in Income Tax Act, 1961 with the following clarifications:

 An individual is Non-Resident, when he/she is "not a resident" or who is "not ordinarily resident". A person is treated as "not ordinary resident" when any of the following conditions is satisfied. 

(1)  If he/she has not been resident in India in nine out of ten preceding years; (OR)

 (2)  If he/she has not been in India for a period of 730 days or more during the preceding seven years.

 (d.) Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries (for the purpose of availing scholarship under SPDC):

 Children of Indian workers must have had at least 3 (three) years of education in any of the ECR countries (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) during the last 6 (six) years and passed the qualifying examination inclusive of 11th and 12th standard or equivalent (not beyond).

 (e.) To apply under the quota under category of Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries, who are left behind in India, the candidate must have passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination from a system of education recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

4.2 Age:

 The SPDC is open to applicants in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on 1st 

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October 2018. Applicants born on or after 1st October, 1997 and before 1st October, 2001 are eligible to apply. Date of birth as recorded in the Secondary Education Board/University Certificate of Class 10th or equivalent, or as mentioned in a certificate for this purpose issued by appropriate Government authorities of respective countries will be taken as authentic for this purpose. 

4.3 Academic Qualification:

 Qualifying ExaminationThe candidate must have passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination from a system of education recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), with requisite subjects. 

Minimum Marks in qualifying ExaminationThe candidate must have secured a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or equivalent grades in aggregate of all the subjects in the qualifying examination. 

Subjects of Study in Qualifying Examination: The candidate must have studied the prescribed essential subjects at the qualifying examination level to pursue a particular course of study. Details of Institutions and Courses offered are as given at Appendix-C.

 Applicants/candidates who passed the qualifying examination (10+2) and has secured admission in an undergraduate course in the designated Institution in India (as per Appendix E) and fulfill other eligibility criteria can apply for SPDC. Such candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of marks/score obtained at 10+2 level along with submission of proof of Admission Letter issued by the Institution, duly stamped and signed by Authorized Signatory of that Institution and other required documents submitted online (on SPDC portal). 

It shall be the responsibility of the candidates to ascertain whether they meet the eligibility criterion for application under SPDC Scholarship scheme. Eligibility of candidates, in doubtful cases, would be decided by Ministry of External Affairs. 

4.4 INCOME CRITERIA: Income criteria will be applicable to all categories of candidates i.e. NRIs & PIOs 

The total monthly income of the parent(s) of the candidate should not exceed an amount equivalent to US Dollars Four thousand (US$ 4000). The applicants’ parents will provide a self attested salary certificate from the employer and latest annual income tax return.

4.5 Candidates availing scholarship/financial assistance/any other assistance under any other Scheme sponsored and/or funded by State Government / Central Government of India shall not be eligible for assistance under SPDC. Candidates  

parents/Guardians are required to sign a declaration as at Appendix D.

4.6    Existing beneficiaries shall continue to get the scholarships till the completion of their courses, if otherwise eligible.

4.7    HOW TO APPLY:

After obtaining admission in selected course in any of the institutes as mentioned in Appendix ‘C’, students who fulfill all other eligibility conditions can complete and submit the online application form on the SPDC portal (http://spdcindia.gov.in).

5. FURNISHING FALSE INFORMATION DECLARATION

In case, any information, certificate or declaration, as furnished by an applicant is found to be false or furnished willfully to hide material fact(s), the grant of scholarship to him/her will be withdrawn forthwith and no further correspondence will be entertained on this matter. The amount of scholarship already paid to such candidate would be recoverable from the candidate/parents/guardian. The decision of MEA would be final in this regard.

6. SHORTLISTING & SELECTION PROCESS

Selection process will be based exclusively on ‘MERIT’:

6.1 Receipt/Registration of Applications:

Applicant shall submit APPLICATION FORM ONLINE ON THE SPDC

PORTAL ( http://spdcindia.gov.in) and UPLOAD THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ON THE PORTAL ITSELF. Only ONLINE APPLICATION FORMS will be accepted.


SPDC Guidelines