SPDC guidelines 2023-2024

From WIKI FOSSCELL NITC

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR DIASPORA CHILDREN [SPDC] FOR HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN INDIA GUIDELINES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-24 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AKBAR BHAWAN, CHANAKYAPURI, NEWDELHI–110021

1. INTRODUCTION

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India introduced “Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children”(SPDC) in the academic year 20062007 for the children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)/ children of Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), to assist them in pursuing Undergraduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes and promote India as a centre of higher studies. The SPDC was subsequently extended to the Children of Indian Workers in Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries ( Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) in 2015-16 . The scheme was extended to

children of PIOs/OCIs & NRIs from all countries in 2022-23.

Under the SPDC, financial assistance for Undergraduation in India for specific Professional and Non-Professional courses ( except Medical and related courses ) as listed in Appendix-A, is provided towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission charges. The application for SPDC scholarship can only be submitted by students of the first year of the Undergraduate courses. SPDC scholarship is granted for the entire duration of Undergraduate courses, and continuation of scholarship in second year and subsequent years will be based on their academic results in the previous year.

2. NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS

150 scholarships are offered annually under the SPDC scheme to children of NRIs/PIOs/OCIs who have studied outside India in any of the foreign countries.

Out of these 150 scholarships, 50 are earmarked for the Children of Indian Workers in all the ECR countries, subject to them fulfilling all the eligibility criteria. Further, out of the 50 scholarships earmarked for Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries, 1/3 [rd ] of scholarships (i.e. 17 slots) are reserved for Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries who have studied in India, subject to fulfilling all the eligibility conditions. Apart from that, 50% slots in all the categories are earmarked for female students.

Category-wise and Gender-wise reservation under SPDC are as follows:

Category NRIs/PIOs/OCIs Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries Col2
Children who have Children who have
studied Abroad studied in India 		Children who have Children who have
studied Abroad studied in India
Gender Male Female Male Female Male Female Gender Male Female Male Female Male Female
Number of 50 50 16 17 9 8
Slots 		Number of 50 50 16 17 9 8
Slots
Total 100 33 17 Total 100 33 17
Grand Total 150

Note :- If the slots are not filled up in any of the category, the remaining slots shall be made available to applicants from other category under SPDC.

3. ELIGIBILITYCRITERIA

  1. Category. SPDC is awarded to the following two categories:

  1. Children of NRIs/PIOs/OCIs – who have studied outside India.

  2. Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries - those who have studied

outside India and those who have studied in India.

Definitions about these categories are given below:

  1. 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 parents or any of his/her grandparents 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.

To apply under the category “Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)/ Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)” applicants must submit proof of Indian origin, preferably a valid PIO card or OCI card for the applicant or his/her parents, issued by the Government of India. Those who are not

holding a valid PIO card or OCI card are required to submit declaration certifying about Indian origin in the prescribed format attested by the Head of Indian Mission/Post concerned. Format is at Appendix-B .

  1. Non-Resident Indian (NRI) : As defined in Income Tax Act, 1961 an individual is Non-Resident Indian, 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: If he/she has not been resident in India in nine out of ten preceding years;

(OR)

If he/she has not been in India for a period of 730 days or more during the preceding seven years.

To apply under the NRI sub-category, applicants are required to submit a copy of the NRI certificate with the application.

  1. Indian Workers in ECR countries: To apply under this category, Children of Indians working in ECR countries are required to submit with respect to his/her parent a valid work permit and proof of stay in the country of residence for last two years.

  1. Age: The SPDC is open to the applicants in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on 31 [st ] July in the year to apply for SPDC. Date of birth as recorded in the Secondary Education Board/University Certificate of Class 10 [th] or equivalent, or as mentioned in the Birth certificate issued by appropriate Government authorities of respective countries will be taken as authentic for this purpose.

  2. Academic Qualification: Applicants from all the categories must have passed grade 11 [th] and 12 [th ] from abroad .

However, to apply under the category of Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries, who have studied in India, the applicant must have passed grade 11 [th] and 12 [th] or equivalent examination from a system of education recognized by the Association of Indian Universities(AIU).

Applicants who have not passed the qualifying examination from a foreign country except in the case of children of Indian Workers in ECR countries who have studied in India, shall not be eligible for SPDC.

The applicant must have secured a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or equivalent grades in aggregate of all the subjects in the Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination.

The applicant must have studied the prescribed essential subjects in the Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination to pursue a particular course of study. Courses covered under SPDC for Undergraduation are given at Appendix-A.

  1. Parents Income: Income criteria shall be applicable to all the categories of applicants .

  1. NRIs/PIOs/OCIs category: The total household monthly income of the parent(s) of the applicant should NOT exceed an amount equivalent to US Dollar Five Thousand (US$ 5000).

  2. Category of Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries . The total household monthly income of the parent(s) of the applicant should NOT exceed an amount equivalent to US Dollar Three Thousand (US$ 3000).

  3. The applicant’s parent(s) is required to provide self-attested salary certificate issued from the employer based in a foreign country. In case the parent(s) is self-employed, an Income Tax Return (ITR) should be provided. In case the self-employed parents is not eligible to file an ITR then a self-certification declaring that the total household income does not exceed the set income limit, must be provided.

  4. 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 .

  5. Applicants securing admission in Undergraduate courses in any of the following category of institutions are eligible to apply for SPDC:

  6. Central Universities of India offering Undergraduate Courses.

  7. ‘A’ Grade Institutions accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognized by UGC.

  8. National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Schools of Planning and Architecture and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) through DASA Scheme.

  1. Admission of applicants is strictly restricted to the institutes as given above and courses as mentioned in Appendix ‘A’ .

  2. Applicants 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/scholarship under SPDC. Applicants/Parents/Guardians are required to sign a declaration as at Appendix ‘C’ .

  3. Children of Indians residing in Nepal shall be eligible for SPDC on fulfillment of following two criteria :

  1. Both the parents should be registered in the Indian Mission/Post in Nepal for a minimum period of two years.

  2. The applicant has completed at least two years of schooling of classes 11 [th] & 12 [th] in Nepal prior to applying.

  3. Criteria fixed for NRI sub-category will be applicable on the Children of Indians residing in Nepal.

Note: (i) The ward of any employee of Govt. of India, Financial Institutions, Banks, PSUs and any other body of the Govt. of India living/working abroad will not be

covered under SPDC.

  1. Eligibility of applicants, in doubtful cases, will be decided by the Ministry of

External Affairs .

4. HOW TO APPLY

Applicants who have passed the qualifying examination (10+2)and has secured admission in an undergraduate course in the designated Institutions in India as mentioned above and fulfill other eligibility criteria can apply for scholarship under SPDC and submit the required documents on the SPDC portal (https://spdcindia.gov.in).

5. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORM

  1. The online scholarship Application form is available at https://spdcindia.gov.in . All applicants are required to save the information filled while completing the online application Form.

  2. Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi shall not be responsible for any delay in submitting the Application form.

  3. Merely applying does not guarantee any scholarship/admission in any

institution.

  1. The following documents/transcripts/certificates have to be uploaded with the application Form:

  1. Authenticated transcripts of marks/grades secured in the qualifying examination i.e. 12 [th ] Standard/ Grade.

  2. Pass certificates must be uploaded of the 11 T h and 12 T h standard

examination.

  1. Pass certificates must be uploaded of the 11

T h and 12

  1. To apply under the categories at Para 3(i)(b)&(c), copy of the valid work permit of the parent(s) for the ECR country must be uploaded with the application.

  2. In the case of PIOs/OCIs, 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 uploaded with the application.

  3. In the case of NRIs, copy of the NRI certificate must be submitted with the application.

  4. Incomplete/ineligible applications in any respect will be rejected.

  5. Self attested Annual Salary certificate of applicant’s parents duly signed by the employer based in a foreign country.

  6. Declaration that applicant is not receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance or any other assistance under any other

Government of India or State Government Scheme.

6. HOW TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM

  1. The application form must be filled in ENGLISH language.

  2. ONLY one application per applicant is allowed.

  3. 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.

  1. Dimension of the Passport size Photograph to be uploaded: Width: 100 px to 200px Height: 120 px to 230px Dimension: 200 x 230 pixels(preferred)

Size of File: 20 to 50Kb.

  1. Ensure that the size of the scanned image is not more than 50KB. Upload your recent photograph(20-50kb)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 2 categories of applicants i.e. (a) Children of PIOs/OCIs/NRIs who have studied outside India; and (b) Children of Indian

Workers in ECR countries-those who have studied outside India and those

who have studied in India. Applicant can select only one category, and must select the appropriate category after due consideration.

  1. Citizenship: Applicant must select appropriate citizenship option.
  1. Country of residence: Applicant must select appropriate country of

residence.

  1. Country where you appeared for the Senior Secondary (10+2) Examination. Applicant must enter the name of the country from where the applicant passed the qualifying examination ( 10+2 ).

  2. Name and Address of Parent/Guardian: Applicant must enter the complete name of parent(s). If parents are not alive, applicant may mention the name of his/her guardian in case the applicant is below 18 years and also clearly indicate how applicant is related to the guardian.

  3. Applicant must enter complete postal address, telephone/fax number/email address abroad and in India, the address to which all

correspondence is to be sent.

  1. Details of Institute where admission has been taken: Applicant must enter complete details of the Institute/ University in India where applicant’s admission has been confirmed. Applicant must submit complete details of the course undertaken, duration of the course (Year/ Semester) only for the Academic part of the Course (internship period should not be included).

  2. Passport Details: Applicant must provide details of applicant’s Passport and enclose a copy of the same.

  3. Details of study Abroad: Applicant must provide the details of applicant’s Class 11 [th] and 12 [th] abroad. Mark-sheets/Certificates of both the classes must be uploaded.

  4. Declaration by Applicant ( Appendix ‘B’ ): The declaration must be signed by the applicant with date and place, and scanned copy must be uploaded on the portal.

  5. Declaration by Parents ( Appendix ‘C’ ): The declaration must be signed by the parent/guardian with date and place, and scanned copy must be uploaded on the portal.

  6. In case of any clarification, the applicant may contact the

so1oia2@mea.gov.in .

7. Last Date for submission of Completed Application form online on SPDC portal (http://spdcindia.gov.in) is 10 December 2023.

8. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.

  1. Visa Status.

All selected Persons of Indian Origin (excluding OCIs) 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.

  1. Medium of Instruction. English is the medium of instruction in all

Institutes.

9. SHORTLISTING & SELECTION PROCESS.

Selection process will be based on Merit-cum-Means basis, meaning, where two applicants secure equal marks, preference will be given to applicant/prospective student who comes from lower income family.

  1. Receipt/Registration of Applications: Applicant shall submit application form online on the SPDC portal ( https://spdcindia.gov.in ) and upload the required documents on the portal itself. Only online application forms will be accepted .

  2. List of SPDC Awardees: A List of applicants awarded scholarship in each category would be drawn up by the Selection Committee. The decision of Committee in this regard shall be final and binding on all concerned.

  3. Shortlisted applicants shall give their consent about acceptance of scholarship through e-mail to Ministry of External Affairs / its designated Agency within 07 days of publication of list of shortlisted applicants.

  4. Confirmation of Scholarship: Within 15 days of being selected for the SPDC scholarship, applicants whose names appear on the Selection List must provide an undertaking ( Appendix ‘D’ ), which should be properly stamped and signed by the respective educational institution. This undertaking should confirm that the institution will adhere to the SPDC Guidelines’ requirements by timely submitting necessary documentation online as needed from time to time. This documentation includes the invoices for annual tuition fees, hostel

fees, and other charges, along with the student’s Progress Report to determine the scholarship amount, and the institution’s bank details for online transfer of the scholarship funds.

Appendix ‘D’ shall be received in the Ministry of External Affairs or 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 (DE), Ministry of External Affairs, Room no. 1025, Akbar Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021 or its designated

agency.

Confirmation of scholarship benefit to these applicants will depend upon the consent of their Institution ( _Appendix ‘D_ ’) to comply with the guidelines of SPDC Scheme.

10. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

All decision of Ministry of External Affairs regarding shortlisting of applicants under SPDC shall be final and binding. Disputes, if any, relating to the short listing of applicants under SPDC shall be subject to Delhi jurisdiction only.

11. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (SCHOLARSHIP).

  1. In the First Year: Financial assistance provided by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to the applicants selected for the SPDC

scheme will be 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. IEC includes Tuition fee, Hostel fee & other institutional charges ( Food charges are excluded ).

  1. 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:

  1. Students securing 50% and above marks in aggregate in an academic year with clear pass marks in all subjects of study, w i l l be eligible to receive the maximum admissible scholarship [i.e.75% of IEC or US$ Four Thousand (US$4,000) whichever is less ] in the following year of study.

  2. Students, who secure less than 50% marks in aggregate in an academic year and have obtained clear pass marks in all subjects of study, will be eligible to receive 90% of the maximum admissible scholarship in the following year of study.

  3. Students, who did not secure clear pass marks in all subjects but have been promoted by the Institute/University to the next academic year, will be eligible to receive 50% of the maximum admissible scholarship in the following year of study.

  4. Students, who have not been promoted to the next academic year by the Institute/University, will NOT be eligible for grant of any further scholarship.

The students who have been getting scholarship from previous years will continue to receive scholarship as per their respective guidelines. Existing beneficiaries shall continue to get the scholarships till the completion of their courses, if otherwise eligible.

12. 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.

[Please note that the total expenditure likely to be incurred by the applicants in pursuing various courses of study will be higher than the scholarship amount provided by the MEA. The expenses in excess, of the scholarship assistance being

provided by MEA, shall have to be borne by the Applicant 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.]

13. FURNISHING FALSE INFORMATION DECLARATION.

In case, any information, certificate or declaration, as furnished by the 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 applicant would be recoverable from the applicant/ parents/guardians, besides initiating suitable legal action against the applicant. The decision of MEA will be final in this regard.


Appendix ‘A’

List of Under-graduate Courses covered under SPDC

Sl. Existing Course name Description
No. 		Col2 Col3
1. Engineering/Architecture/ B.E./B.Arch./B.Tech
Technology 		1. Engineering/Architecture/ B.E./B.Arch./B.Tech
Technology 		1. Engineering/Architecture/ B.E./B.Arch./B.Tech
Technology
2. Humanities/ Liberal Arts B.A. in Humanities/Liberal Arts 2. Humanities/ Liberal Arts B.A. in Humanities/Liberal Arts 2. Humanities/ Liberal Arts B.A. in Humanities/Liberal Arts
3. Commerce B.Com. 3. Commerce B.Com. 3. Commerce B.Com.
4. Management BBA/BBM 4. Management BBA/BBM 4. Management BBA/BBM
5. Computers BCA/I.T. 5. Computers BCA/I.T. 5. Computers BCA/I.T.
6. Journalism Degree in Journalism 6. Journalism Degree in Journalism 6. Journalism Degree in Journalism
7. Hotel Management Bachelor in Hotel Management
(BHM) 		7. Hotel Management Bachelor in Hotel Management
(BHM) 		7. Hotel Management Bachelor in Hotel Management
(BHM)
8. Agriculture/Animal Husbandry B.E./B.Sc. 8. Agriculture/Animal Husbandry B.E./B.Sc. 8. Agriculture/Animal Husbandry B.E./B.Sc.
9. Sciences B.Sc 9. Sciences B.Sc 9. Sciences B.Sc
10. Law LLB 10. Law LLB 10. Law LLB
11. Ayurveda Graduation in Ayurveda 11. Ayurveda Graduation in Ayurveda 11. Ayurveda Graduation in Ayurveda
12. Nursing B.Sc. Nursing 12. Nursing B.Sc. Nursing 12. Nursing B.Sc. Nursing
13. Physiotherapy Bachelors in Physiotherapy (B.PT) 13. Physiotherapy Bachelors in Physiotherapy (B.PT) 13. Physiotherapy Bachelors in Physiotherapy (B.PT)
14. Pharmacy B. Pharma

14

Appendix ‘B’

DECLARATION

(For applicants who do not possess any documentary evidence of Indian Origin)

I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (complete name), born on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(Date of birth), daughter/son of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Complete name) do hereby state that I am of Indian origin because of the following reasons:

    • _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _**
    • _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _**
    • _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _**
    • _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _**

Signature of the Applicant

Complete Name: **_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _** Date: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Place: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(Countersigned and stamped by Head of Indian Mission)

    • Complete Name_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _**

Place:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Date: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

15

Appendix ‘C’

Declaration by Parent/ Guardian Mr./Ms. _____________________ is my son/daughter/ward admitted at __________________________________________________ for the course of

______________________ .

I Mr./Ms. __________________________, hereby give an undertaking to pay regularly all his/her dues to the institute for Tuition fees, hostel fee, and all other fees till the completion of his/her course of studies. I also undertake the responsibility for his/her good conduct. In case of any delay in release of scholarship funds, fee payment to the Institution shall be made by me. I shall not hold MEA responsible if the Institute does not allow my son /daughter / ward to sit in Examination for any financial/ performance conduct related matter.

I undertake that the expenses towards fee/study cost and living expenses over and above the assistance provided by Government of India under Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children shall be borne by me.

I, hereby, also declare that my son/daughter/ward is not receiving any other scholarship sponsored by State Government or Central Government of India.

Place:

Date:

( _____________________ )

Signature of Parent/Guardian Mobile No. _______________

(Country Code/Area Code) Email (Mandatory) _______________

16

Appendix ‘D’

(On Institution letterhead)

UNDERTAKING

We ______________________ hereby Confirm that Mr./Ms. _________is a bonafide student of this Institution, and has been admitted to the Course (course of study) for Academic Year 2021-22 from (Month/Year)to ___________(Month/Year).

We understand that this student has applied for Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) and in the event of his being shortlisted for the scholarship; we shall comply with the documentation required and send to Ministry of External Affairs in due course of time.

Signed and stamped by Authorized Signatory

Complete Name ________________

Designation _______________

Date: —————– Place: ————— Countersigned by the applicant

(Complete Name: )

Date: —————– Place: ————– 17

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