College Based
The Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) 2025-26 is offered by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This prestigious scholarship supports outstanding students of the Indian diaspora who want to pursue undergraduate courses in Indian universities and institutes. Selected students will receive up to $4,000 per year towards tuition fees, admission fees, and post-admission charges.
Key Information
Application Start Date
Not specified
Deadline
Tentative launch date Dec 2026
Link
https://www.buddy4study.com/scholarship/scholarship-programme-for-diaspora-children-spdc-2025
The Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) 2025-26 is offered by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This prestigious scholarship supports outstanding students of the Indian diaspora who want to pursue undergraduate courses in Indian universities and institutes. Selected students will receive up to $4,000 per year towards tuition fees, admission fees, and post-admission charges.
Children of PIOs/OCIs/NRIs and children of Indian workers in ECR countries
Candidates will be selected based on merit-cum-means basis. When two applicants secure equal marks, preference will be given to the applicant from a lower-income family. The scholarship has category-wise and gender-wise reservations, with 50% slots earmarked for female students.
Eligible applicants can apply by following these steps:- Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button below. Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button and fill in the required registration details (Note:- If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID). Step 3: Scroll down to 'SPDC Application Form' and click it to download. Step 4: Complete the application form in English along with all required documents. Step 5: Submit the completed application form with all supporting documents to the respective Indian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate.
The selected students will receive financial assistance to the extent of 75% of the total Institutional Economic Cost (IEC), subject to a maximum of $4,000 (approx. ₹3,60,737.80) per annum. The IEC includes tuition fee, hostel fee, and other institutional charges (food charges excluded). The scholarship is awarded for the entire duration of undergraduate courses, with continuation in subsequent years based on academic performance. Continuation criteria for 2nd year onwards: Students securing 50% and above aggregate marks: Receive maximum admissible scholarship (75% of IEC or $4,000, whichever is less) Students securing less than 50% but with clear pass marks: Receive 90% of the maximum admissible scholarship Students promoted without clear pass marks in all subjects: Receive 50% of the maximum admissible scholarship Students not promoted to the next academic year: Not eligible for further scholarship
Academic transcript Passing certificates of 11th and 12th standard examinations Valid passport copy Parents work permit For PIOs/OCIs: Copy of PIO/OCI card or declaration about proof of Indian origin attested by the Head of Indian Mission For NRIs: Copy of NRI certificate For children of Indian workers in ECR countries: Copy of valid work permit of parent(s) and proof of stay for the last two years Self-attested annual salary certificate of parents signed by the employer (or Income Tax Return for self-employed) Declaration that the applicant is not receiving any other scholarship (Appendix C) Passport photograph (200 x 230 pixels preferred) Admission confirmation letter from the Indian institution Institutional Undertaking ( on institutional letterhead) Declaration Form by Parent/ Guardian Note: For further details, please refer to the 'Guidelines' document.
Answer
Person of Indian Origin (PIO)/Overseas Citizen of India refers to citizens of countries other than India (excluding Pakistan and Bangladesh) who have ever held an Indian passport. This includes those whose parents or grandparents were citizens of India, as defined by the Constitution of India or Section 2(B) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (Act No. 57 of 1955).
Contact: Section Officer Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India Diaspora Engagement Division, MEA 925, Akbar Bhawan Chankyapuri, New Delhi - 110021 Email ID: so1oia2@mea.gov.in | Telephone Number: (+91 11) 24197927 Source: https://www.mea.gov.in/