Govt of India launches Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children

India's Ministry of External Affairs has launched a scheme called “Scholarship  for Diaspora Children”(SPDC) for the academic year 21-22.

A social media post by the office of the Indian High Commision in Wellington announced this on Tuesday, July 6.  

"Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India lunched a scheme called "Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children" for the academic year 2021-22, for children of NRI’s/PIO’s belonging to New Zealand in pursuing under graduate courses in several disciplines in India. Only fresh year students (1st year) shall be eligible to apply for the scholarship," the post said. 

(i)The scheme is open to four categories of applicants in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on July 31, 2021

1. Children of Persons of Indian origin
2. Children of Non- Resident of Indians
3. Children of Indian workers of ECR countries- Studying outside India.
4. Children of Indian workers of ECR countries- studying in India.

(ii)Children of NRIs should have pursued at least three years of education, inclusive of 11th &12th or equivalent(not beyond) in an foreign country during the last six years, and should have passed the qualifying examination abroad.

(iii)Candidates would be selected on the basis of their performance in the qualifying examination

(Equivalent to plus 2 stage in India) which decides the eligibility to apply for the scholarship scheme. The candidates would also have to fulfil all the criteria prescribed for the purpose.

(iv) The institutions that are covered under this scheme are:

a)NITs, IIITs,School of Planning and Architecture

(b) ‘A’ Grade institutions accredited by NAAC and recognised by UGC.

(c) Other institutions covered under DASA scheme.

(v)The amount of scholarship admissible would be 75% of the total Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) subject to a maximum of US$4000/- per annum in respect of NITs and other insitution covered under DASA scheme. IEC Includes Tuition fee, Hostel fee & other institutional charges ( Food charges are excluded).

(vi) The total monthly income of the parents of the applicant should not exceed the amount of equivalet of US $5000/-. The parents of the applicants will provide a self attested salary certificate from the employer based in the foreign country.

(vii) After obtaining admission in selected courses in ourses in any of the specified Institutes as mentioned in Appendix “C”, students who fulfill all other eligibility conditions can complete and submit the on-line application form on the SPDC portal.

(viii) The last date for submission of the duly filled in application forms in the prescribed format is November 30, 2021.

Here is the link for the detailed Guidelines.

https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/1623306066_SPDC%20Guidelines%20for%20the%20AY%202021-22.pdf