As you are aware, Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (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 (except medical courses) in Indian Universities/Institutes. The SPDC scheme provides them financial assistance towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission charges. Since its launch in 2006-2007, the scheme guidelines have been revised over the years to increase the number of scholarships to 150 and the beneficiary can be of any country provided certain conditions are met.

2. Now, the Ministry has launched the SPDC Programme for the academic year 2023-24 for the Children of NRIs/PIOs/OCIs pursuing Undergraduate courses in several disciplines in India. (A copy of the SPDC guidelines for 2023-24 is attached herewith for reference).

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/-.

3. Indian youth/Indian origin youth, who have taken admission in courses in India in Academic Year 2023-24 and are eligible for the scheme, to apply for the scholarship through SPDC portal (https://spdcindia.gov.in) at the earliest. Missions/Posts are also requested to post the enclosed SPDC guidelines on their websites, and to publicize the SPDC programme through social media handles of the Mission/Post, Diaspora Associations, Indian Ethnic Magazines/publications or any other possible means, to attract maximum participation.

4. The last date for submission of the duly filled-in application forms in the prescribed format is 10 December 2023.

SPDC Guidelines for AY 2023-24