Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children by Ministry of External Affairs enables Children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), to pursue Under Graduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes in different fields (except medical and related courses) both professional and non-professional in Engineering/Technology, Humanities/Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture/Animal husbandry etc.
The scholarship amount is given for payment of tuition fee, admission fee and post admission services including hostel fee but excluding payment of food charges. In the First Year, partial financial assistance is upto 75% of the total Institutional Economic Cost subject to a maximum of US$ 4000 per annum in respect of NITs and other institutions covered under Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme.
In the year 2015-16, SPDC was reviewed. The revamped SPDC is now in place from academic year 2016-17 with the following highlights:
(i) The Scheme has been extended from 40 to 66 countries which includes Australia.
(ii) The number of scholarships has been increased from 100 to 150.
(iii) Income criteria would be applicable to all categories of students.
(iv) Scholarship will be offered for pursuing courses in:
Central Universities of India offering Under Graduate Courses
Institutions accredited “A” Grade by NAAC; and
Institutions covered under DASA Scheme: National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).
(v) Information Technology, B.Sc (Nursing) and B.Pharma have been added to courses eligible for scholarships.
As an e-governance mechanism, a portal SPDCINDIA.GOV.IN has been developed to enable online application and processing.
Applications can be submitted online from 23rd August 2016 to 23rd September 2016.
List of scholarship awardees will be announced in October-November 2016.
This may kindly be given wide publicity among the members of Indian community.