New Delhi: In a major boost for the Indian diaspora, the Government of India has announced substantial scholarships for the children of Indians living and working abroad who wish to pursue undergraduate education in India. Under the flagship Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC), eligible students can receive financial assistance of up to USD 4,000 (approximately ₹3.6 lakh) per year.
The SPDC is a government-funded scholarship scheme aimed at encouraging students of Indian origin to return to India for higher education. Unlike most scholarships that support overseas study, this programme specifically supports studying in India and is applicable only for undergraduate courses.
Who Is Eligible for the SPDC Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to the children of:
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
- Indian workers employed in Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries
The ECR countries include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Number of Scholarships and Reservation
Every year, 150 scholarships are awarded under this scheme:
- 100 scholarships are reserved for NRI, PIO, and OCI students who have completed their schooling abroad.
- 50 scholarships are reserved for children of Indian workers employed in ECR countries.
Among the ECR category:
- 33 scholarships are for students who studied abroad.
- 17 scholarships are for students who completed their education in India.
Notably, 50% of the total scholarships are reserved for girl students across all categories.
Scholarship Amount and Coverage
Under SPDC, selected students are eligible for up to USD 4,000 per year, which can be used to cover expenses such as:
- Tuition fees
- Hostel fees
- Admission and other institutional charges
However, medical and allied courses are excluded from this scheme. All other undergraduate disciplines offered by selected Indian universities and institutions are eligible.
Educational Qualification Criteria
To qualify, applicants must:
- Have passed Class 11 and 12
- Secure at least 60% marks in Class 12
- For most categories, Classes 11 and 12 must be completed abroad, except for students under the ECR-India category
- Have confirmed admission to a recognized college or university in India before applying
Family Income Limits
The scholarship is strictly means-based:
- For NRI/PIO/OCI applicants, total family income must not exceed USD 5,000 per month
- For children of ECR-country workers, the income limit is USD 3,000 per month
Applicants may be required to submit salary slips, employer certificates, or income tax returns as proof of income.
How to Apply
Students can apply only after securing admission to an undergraduate programme in India. Applications must be submitted through the Indian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence.
Direct applications to Indian ministries or educational institutions will not be accepted.
This scholarship scheme offers a significant opportunity for overseas Indian families to reconnect their children with India’s education system while easing the financial burden of higher studies.
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