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.
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. Only fresh year
students (Ist year) students should be eligible to get the scholarship.
The scheme is applicable to NRIs and PIOs/OCI living in 68 selected countries
as listed at Appendix-A.
2. 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.
3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
3.1 Nationality.
(a) SPDC is awarded to following four categories:
(i) Children of Persons of Indian Origin/Overseas Citizens of India.
(ii) Children of Non-Resident Indians.
(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) Person of Indian Origin (PIO)/ Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) :
“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) Non-Resident Indian (NRI) : As defined in Income Tax Act, 1961 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.
(i) If he/she has not been resident in India in nine out of ten preceding
years; (OR)
(ii) If he/she has not been in India for a period of 730 days or more
during the preceding seven years.
(d) Candidates from all the categories must have passed grade 11 and
grade 12 from abroad. However 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).
3.2 Age: The SPDC is open to applicants in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on 31st
October 2019. 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.
3.3 Academic Qualification.
(a) Qualifying Examination: 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),
with requisite subjects.
(b) Minimum Marks in qualifying Examination: The candidate
must have secured a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or equivalent
grades in aggregate of all the subjects in the qualifying examination.
(c) 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.
3.4 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 based in a foreign
country. In case information about family income is found incorrect, scholarship will be
revoked and the amount already disbursed will be recovered. Legal action may also be
initiated against the defaulter.
3.5 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.
3.6 Existing beneficiaries shall continue to get the scholarships till the completion of
their courses, if otherwise eligible.
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).
4. 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.
SHORTLISTING & SELECTION PROCESS : Selection process will be based exclusively on ‘MERIT’:
5.1 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.
5.2 List of SPDC Awardees:
A List of candidates awarded scholarship in each category of candidates would be
drawn up by the Selection Committee. The decision of Committee in this regard shall be
final and binding on all concerned.
Candidates shall give their consent about acceptance of scholarship through e-mail
to Ministry of External Affairs within 7 days of publication of the 1st list of shortlisted
candidates.
In case of delay in scholarship payment, the candidate is required to pay the due
amount to the Institution.
6. CONFIRMATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
Thereafter, candidates (names displayed in Selection List) shall submit an
undertaking (Appendix E) duly stamped & signed by the respective Institution (within
15 days of display of 1st merit list) that as per the requirements of SPDC Guidelines the
Institute shall submit required documentation online from time to time. These
documentations comprise of:
The amount of Tuition fee, hostel fee and other fees charged (per annum),
Progress Report of the Student, for calculation of scholarship amount, Bank details of
the Institution for online transfer of scholarship funds. Appendix – E shall be received in
MEA/its designated Agency:
– By email (scanned version) within 15 days at spdcindia@mea.gov.in.
– By post/ in person (Original) within 22 days of the display of merit list to Section
Officer (OIA-II), Ministry of External Affairs, Room no. 1025, Akbar Bhawan,
Chankyapuri, New Delhi-110021.
Confirmation of scholarship benefit to these candidates will depend upon the
consent of their Institution (APPENDIX – E) to comply with the guidelines of SPDC
Scheme.
Based on the fee receipts, the student shall be sent an OFFER LETTER which
shall contain details of the scholarship amount admissible to the student.
7. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
(a) 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 $ Four Thousand
(US$ 4,000) per annum in respect of NITs and other institutions covered under DASA
Scheme with effect from the academic year 2011-2012 (pertaining to those Institutes
who had increased Tuition Fee for the academic Year 2011-12 and onwards);
And where there is no increase in tuition fees for the academic year 2011-2012, the
existing limit of 75% of IEC or US$ 3600, whichever is less would continue and would be
made by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to the applicants selected
for the SPDC scheme. IEC includes Tuition fee, Hostel fee & other institutional charges.
(Food charges are excluded).
(b) For Second and Subsequent Years: The parameters for continuation of
scholarship to selected applicants for the second and subsequent years of study are as
follows:
(i) Students securing 50% marks 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$ Four Thousand only (US$ 4,000), in respect of NITs,
IIITs, Schools of Planning and Architecture, ‘A ‘Grade institutions accredited by NAAC
and recognized by UGC and other institutions covered under DASA Scheme
with effect from the academic year 2019-20 and where there is no increase in tuition fees
for the academic year 2011-12, the existing limit of 75% of IEC or US$ 3600, whichever
is less, in the following year of study.
(ii) 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%
of the scholarship admissible under paragraph 7(b)(i) above, in the following year of
study.
(iii) 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 scholarship admissible under paragraph 7(b) (i) above in the
following year of study.
(iv) Students, who have not been promoted to the next academic year, would not be
eligible for grant of any further scholarship.
8. DISBURSEMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP
Admissible amount of scholarship shall be remitted by Ministry or through its
designated agency directly to the concerned Institute/University on annual basis.
Remittance of scholarship funds shall take place only on receipt of funds from MEA.
[Please note that the total expenditure likely to be incurred in pursuing
various courses of study will be higher than the scholarship amount
provided. The expenses in excess, of the scholarship assistance being
provided by MEA, shall have to be borne by the Candidate or by his/her
parents/ guardians. It is in their interest to ensure that they have the
adequate financial resources to meet these expenses for the entire period of
study.]
9. COURSES OF STUDY AND INSTITUTIONS
Admission of candidates is strictly restricted to the institutes and courses as
mentioned in Appendix ‘E’.
10. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORM
(a) The online scholarship Application Form is available at http://spdcindia.gov.in.
All candidates are required to save the information filled while completing the online
application Form.
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi shall not be responsible for any delay in
submitting the Application form.
(b) The following documents/transcripts/certificates have to be uploaded with the
application Form:
(i) The authenticated transcripts of all marks/grades secured in the qualifying
examination i.e. 12th Standard/ Grade The mark sheets downloaded from Internet
(CERTIFIED) can also be submitted along with details of Roll No. allotted for appearing
in the qualifying examination, name of Examining Board and the URL of the Examining
Board’s Website from which it has been downloaded, for advance information.
(ii)In the case of NRIs/PIO/OCI, the qualifying examination 10+2 or equivalent
(inclusive of 11th and 12th standard) should have been passed from any country
listed at Appendix-A only. Certificates for these exams must be uploaded.
(iii) 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 ). Certificates of these
exams/ transcripts, mark sheets must be uploaded with the application form.
(iv) Applicants who belong to the two categories i.e., Children of Indian Workers of
ECR countries studying outside India and Children of Indian Workers of ECR countries
studying in India, applicants must submit a self-attested copy of the certificate certifying
that the parent(s) of the candidate concerned is/are working in an ECR country since
last two years. Copy of his work permit for the ECR country must be submitted.
(v) In the case of PIOs/OCI, copy of PIO/OCI card or declaration about proof of
Indian origin (attested by Head of Indian Mission) (Valid for next 5 years) must be
enclosed with the application.
(vi) The marks obtained by the candidates in improvement/compartment examination
shall not be considered.
(vii) Incomplete/illegible applications in any respect would be rejected.
(viii) Annual Self attested salary certificate of applicants’ parents duly signed by the
employer based in a foreign country .
(ix) Declaration that candidate is not receiving any other scholarship or financial
assistance or any other assistance under any other Government of India or State
Government Scheme.
(x) Note: In case of any false information scholarship will be revoked and the amount
already disbursed will be recovered. Furhter, the law will take its own course.
Last Date for submission of Completed Application Form online on
SPDC portal ( http://spdcindia.gov.in ) is
30 November, 2019.
11. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
11.1 Visa Status:
All selected Persons of Indian Origin (excluding OCIs and PIO Cardholders) must
obtain a valid student visa issued by the Indian Missions/Posts abroad. Visa can be
obtained by producing the admission offer letter received from respective Institute.
11.2 Medium of Instruction: English is the medium of instruction at all the
Institutes.
12. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
All decision of MEA regarding short listing of candidates under SPDC shall be final
and binding. Disputes if any, relating to the short listing of candidates under SPDC
2019-20 organized by shall be subject to Delhi Jurisdiction only.
13. HOW TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM
(a) The application form must be filled in ENGLISH.
(b) ONLY one application per candidate is allowed.
(c) Applicants must ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility requirements for
application, i.e. education, age, residence and physical fitness, etc. Grant of scholarship
benefit is subject to verification of facts from original certificates /documents.
(d) Dimension of the Passport size Photograph to be uploaded:-
(i) Width: 100 px to 200 px
(ii) Height: 120 px to 230 px
(iii) Dimension: 200 x 230 pixels (preferred)
(iv) Size of File: 20 to 50 Kb.
Ensure that the size of the scanned image is not more than 50KB.Upload your
recent photograph (20-50 kb) in the appropriate place in the application form.
1. Name
Enter the name exactly as given in the records of the high school college. The same
name should be used in all future correspondence.
2. Gender
Please select the appropriate box provided.
3. Date of Birth
Enter the date, month and year of your birth as per the English calendar and as
recorded in the high school university certificate.
4. Category
There are 4 categories of applicants i.e. (i) Person of Indian Origin (PIO)/OCI, (ii)
Non-resident Indian (NRI), (iii) Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries-those
studying outside India studied outside India (ECR based outside India) and (iv) Children
of Indian Workers in ECR countries those studying in India (ECR based in India). Only
one choice is to be given. Please select the appropriate category.
5. Citizenship
6. Country of residence
7. Country where you appeared for the Qualifying Examination
Enter the Name of the country from where the last requisite examination is
qualified.
8. Name and Address of Parent/Guardian
(a) Enter the complete name of your parent(s), if parents are not alive
you may mention the name of your guardian.
(b) In case of guardian, indicate how you are related to the guardian.
(c) Enter your complete postal address, telephone/fax
number/email address abroad and in India, to which all
correspondence is to be sent. Update these details online.
9. Details of Institute where admission has been taken
Enter complete details of the Institute/ University in India where admission has
been confirmed. Submit complete details of the course undertaken, duration of the
course (Year/ Semester) only for the Academic part of the Course, please do not include
internship period.
10. Details of Qualifying Examination
Read carefully item No. 3.3 under ‘Eligibility Criteria for Admission’ of this
Information Brochure and give the necessary details of the qualifying examination. In
case of any clarification, the applicant may contact the spdcindia@mea.gov.in.
11. Passport Details:
Provide details of Passport and enclose a copy of the same.
12. Details of study Abroad
Provide the number of years of your education abroad out of the last 6 years
inclusive of 10+2. Upload documentary proof from your School Principal or any suitable
authority.
13. Declaration by Applicant (Appendix B)
The declaration must be signed (Upload scan signature) by the candidate with
date and place.
14. Declaration by Parents (Appendix D) The declaration signed (Upload scan
signature) by the parent/guardian with date and place.
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