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Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) 2011-12 The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs launched a scheme called the Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) in the academic year 2006-2007 with a view to assist wards of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in pursuing under-graduate courses in several disciplines in India and to promote India as a centre for higher studies. Under this scheme, over 387 PIO/NRI students have benefited during the last five academic years. The following are the highlights of the SPDC 2011-12, which has been announced by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India this month: 100 scholarships are being offered for undergraduate courses in several disciplines, including Engineering/Architecture/ Technology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, BBA/BBM, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Science, Law, etc. The Programme is open only to PIOs/NRIs from the specified 40 countries having a larger concentration of Indian Diaspora. 50% of the scholarship slots would be reserved for PIOs. However, in the event of the non-availability of suitable PIO candidates, the unfilled slots could be assigned to NRI candidates. NRI candidates would be eligible for the grant of the scholarship only if their total family income per month does not exceed an amount equivalent to US$ 2,250 (US Dollars two thousand two hundred and fifty only). Children of NRIs should have pursued at least three years of education, inclusive of 11th and 12th or equivalent (not beyond), in a foreign country during the last six years, and should have passed the qualifying examination abroad. The last date for the receipt of duly filled in application forms in the prescribed format by Ed. CIL is 27th June, 2011. PIO/NRI Students already studying in India on a self-financing basis or under any other arrangement will not be eligible under this scheme, which is open only for fresh admissions in the first semester/year of undergraduate courses. Candidates would be selected on the basis of their performance in the qualifying examinations (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. Partial financial assistance up to 75% of the Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) subject to a maximum of US$ 5.000 (US Dollars five thousand) per annum per student could be given to students applying under the DASA scheme. Admission may be sought in one of the institutes/colleges/ universities given in Appendix C of the information booklet. Admission under DASA would be centrally coordinated and conducted by NIT, Karnataka for 2011-12. Students applying under SPDC Scheme and seeking admission in NITs are required to qualify the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-II) examination. This will, however, not affect the students seeking admissions under SPDC to other institutes having MOU with the Ed. CIL in this regard. (Appendix C of the Information Booklet). A copy of the announcement can be downloaded from the Ed.Cil Website: www.edcilindia.co.in
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