The Embassy of India is glad to inform all the PIOs and NRIs in Madagascar that the Government of India has revamped the Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) Scheme which was previously applicable to NRIs and PIOs of 40 countries for undergraduate programmes, The revised guidelines are attached herewith. Important changes in the scheme are highlighted below:
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The scheme is now applicable to four categories of applicants residing in Madagascar:
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Person of India Origin
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Non-Resident Indians
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Children of Indian workers working in ECR countries
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Children of Indian workers working in ECR countries – studying in India
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The number of scholarships has been increased from 100 to 150 out of which 50 seats are reserved for (c) and (d) respectively.
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The institutions that are covered under this scheme are:
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NITs, IIITs Schools of Planning and Architecture
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‘A’ Grade institutions accredited by NAAC and recognized by UGC
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Other institutions covered under DASA scheme
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Income criteria is now applicable to all four categories
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Applicants may seek scholarships after they obtain admission in the approved list of educational institutions
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A portal for SPDC has been developed and is expected to go ‘live’ shortly which will enable online submission of application, processing and an alumni network. Once the portal goes live, application can be submitted online.
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For further details, interested applicants may contact the Nodal Officer nominated for this Mission.
The Nodal Officer of this Mission for SPDC is as follows:
Name: Mrs. Veena Brar, Second Secretary (Consular & Commerce)
Tele No : +261 20 2220204
Email: indcomsec@blueline.mg
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR
DIASPORA CHILDREN [SPDC]
FOR HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN INDIA
GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORM 2016-2017
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS,
AKBAR BHAWAN, CHANAKYAPURI,
NEW DELHI – 110 021
1. INTRODUCTION
Government of India launched a scheme called “Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children” (SPDC), in the academic year 2006-2007, for the wards of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to assist them in pursuing Under Graduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes.
2. SCHEME
Under SPDC scheme financial assistance for specific undergraduate courses in Professional and Non-Professional courses (except Medical and related courses)is provided towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission services.
The scheme is applicable to NRIs and PIOs from 66 select countries as listed at Appendix-A.
3. NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS:
Scholarship shall be provided to 150 selected students, without earmarking NRIs/ PIOs. 50 out of these 150 scholarships are earmarked for Children of Indian workers (CIWG) in the 17 Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries subject to fulfilling eligibility conditions. Of these 50 scholarships 1/3rd shall be reserved for children who are pursuing studies in India, subject to fulfilling eligibility conditions. If any of these seats are not filled up, they will be made available to applicants from other categories under SPDC and vice-versa.
ECR countries are: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
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SPDC is awarded to following four categories:
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Person of Indian Origin
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Non-Resident Indian
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Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries studying outside India
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Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries studying in India
Definitions about these four categories are given below:
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"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 parent or any of his/her grandparent 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.
Persons of India Origin (PIOs) applicants are expected to submit proof of Indian origin, preferably a valid PIO card or OCI card issued by the Government of India. Those who cannot submit documentary evidence of Indian origin are required to submit declaration about Indian origin. Format is at Appendix B.
In the absence of any documentary evidence about Indian origin, an affidavit from the applicant attested by the Head of Indian Mission concerned verifying the Indian Origin status of the applicant may be submitted.
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` "NRI" in this context means Non-Resident Indians as defined in Income Tax Act, 1961 with the following clarifications:
An individual is Non-Resident, 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.
(1) If he/she has not been resident in India in nine out of ten preceding years; (OR)
(2) If he/she has not been in India for a period of 730 days or more during the preceding seven years.
d. Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries (for the purpose of availing scholarship under SPDC):
Children of Indian workers must have had at least 3 (three) years of education in any of the ECR countries (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) during the last 6 (six) years and passed the qualifying examination inclusive of 11th and 12th standard or equivalent (not beyond).
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To apply under the quota under category of Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries, who are left behind in India, the candidate must have passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination from a system of education recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
4.2 Age:
The SPDC is open to applicants in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on 1st October 2016. Applicants born on or after 1st October, 1995 and before 1st October, 1999 are eligible to apply. Date of birth as recorded in the Secondary Education Board/University Certificate of Class 10th or equivalent, or as mentioned in a certificate for this purpose issued by appropriate Government authorities of respective countries will be taken as authentic for this purpose.
4.3 Academic Qualification:
Qualifying Examination: The candidate must have passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination from a system of education recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), with requisite subjects.
Minimum Marks in qualifying Examination: The candidate must have secured a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or equivalent grades in aggregate of all the subjects in the qualifying examination.
Subjects of Study in Qualifying Examination: The candidate must have studied the prescribed essential subjects at the qualifying examination level to pursue a particular course of study. Details of Institutions and Courses offered are as given at Appendix-C.
Applicants/candidates who passed the qualifying examination (10+2) and has secured admission in an undergraduate course in the designated Institution in India (as per Appendix E) and fulfill other eligibility criteria can apply for SPDC. Such candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of marks/score obtained at 10+2 level along with submission of proof of Admission Letter issued by the Institution, duly stamped and signed by Authorized Signatory of that Institution and other required documents submitted online (on SPDC portal) by 31st August, 2016.
It shall be the responsibility of the candidates to ascertain whether they meet the eligibility criterion for application under SPDC Scholarship scheme. Eligibility of candidates, in doubtful cases, would be decided by Ministry of External Affairs.
4.4 INCOME CRITERIA: Income criteria will be applicable to all categories of candidates i.e. NRIs & PIOs
The total monthly income of the parent(s) of the candidate should not exceed an amount equivalent to US Dollars Two thousand two hundred fifty (US$ 2250). The applicants’ parents will provide signed salary certificate from the employer and latest annual income tax return, which will be attested by the Indian Mission/Consulate.
4.5 Candidates 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 under SPDC. Candidates / parents/Guardians are required to sign a declaration as at Appendix D.
4.6 Existing beneficiaries shall continue to get the scholarships till the completion of their courses, if otherwise eligible.
4.7 HOW TO APPLY:
After obtaining admission in selected course in any of the institutes as mentioned in Appendix ‘C’, students who fulfill all other eligibility conditions can complete and submit the application form in the SPDC portal.
5. FURNISHING FALSE INFORMATION DECLARATION
In case, any information, certificate or declaration, as furnished by an 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 candidate would be recoverable from the candidate/parents/guardian. The decision of MEA would be final in this regard.
6. SHORTLISTING & SELECTION PROCESS
Selection process will be based exclusively on ‘MERIT’:
6.1 Receipt/Registration of Applications:
Applicant shall submit SPDC APPLICATION FORM (available on the website of Ministry of External Affairs www.mea,gov.in along with the required documents (scan copy) by 31st August 2016. Only APPLICATION FORMS submitted online will be accepted.
6.2 List of SPDC Awardees:
A List of candidates awarded scholarship in each category of candidates would be drawn up on the basis of marks obtained by all the eligible candidates in +2 (or equivalent) exam in the following manner:
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The priority of candidates will be based on the aggregate marks obtained in all the subjects of qualifying exam (+2 or equivalent).
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In the case of 2 or more candidates getting the same aggregate % of marks, the priority will be decided by considering their marks in English.
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A student scoring higher marks on the above criteria would have higher priority as compared to the student scoring less marks.
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In rare cases, where two or more applicants have a tie on the basis of above criteria, the Merit/Priority shall be decided on the basis of date of birth [As per Christian Era] of the student. The senior student would be preferred to the younger.
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In case of any further tie, MEA will follow, the criteria as appropriate to the situation.
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In case, a candidate has passed from an Examining Body which award only Grades and does not disclose marks obtained by them, the candidate would be required to submit the Range of the Grades adopted by the concerned Board/Examining Body and the Merit/Priority in such cases, would be decided on the basis of average/mean of the Range of the Grade scored by the candidate in each subject.
The decision of Committee in this regard shall be final and binding on all concerned.
List of first 150 eligible candidates category wise shall be prepared by the Selection Committee in the Ministry
