The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has opened applications for its Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) for the academic year 2019-20. The SPDC Scheme aims to assist children of Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and PIO card holders pursue under-graduate courses (except medical courses) in Indian Institutions and Universities. The programme will provide scholarships of 75%, up to USD4,000 per year.
The programme, which was introduced in 2006-07, provides annual scholarships for payment of tuition fee, admission fee and post-admission services for Under Graduate courses in Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and a few other courses.
The scholarship is applicable to students who have already secured admission in Indian Institutions. Admission is permitted only in Central Universities, NAAC “A” Grade Institutions, National Institutes of Technology (NITs), School of Planning & Architecture (SPAs), and Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs) as covered under Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme.
The scheme is applicable to NRIs and PIOs in 66 countries, including Singapore, UAE, US, UK, Australia, Canada and South Africa.