Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) 2025-26

To be eligible, an applicant must:-

• be a child of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)/Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)/Non-Resident Indians (NRI) OR a child of Indian workers in ECR countries (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen)
• be in the age group of 17 to 21 years as on 31 July 2025
• have passed grades 11th and 12th from abroad (except children of Indian workers in ECR countries who studied in India may have completed their education in India from an AIU-recognised institution)
• have secured a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or equivalent grades in the Senior Secondary (10+2) examination
• be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree program in designated courses
• have secured admission in Central Universities of India, 'A' Grade NAAC-accredited institutions recognised by UGC, or NITs/SPAs/IIITs through the DASA Scheme
• have total household monthly income should not exceed $5,000 (for NRIs/PIOs/OCIs) or $3,000 (for children of Indian workers in ECR countries)
• not be receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance under any State Government or Central Government of India scheme

Note:-

• Wards of Government of India employees, Financial Institutions, Banks, and PSUs working abroad are not eligible.
• Only regular offline undergraduate courses are eligible.
• For Medicine and related courses, applications can be submitted in the 2nd year of study.
• Children of Indians residing in Nepal shall be eligible for SPDC on fulfilment of the following two criteria:
  • Both parents should be registered in the Indian Mission/Post in Nepal for a minimum period of two years.
  • The applicant has completed at least two years of schooling in classes 11th & 12th in Nepal before applying.
  • Criteria fixed for the NRI sub-category will apply to the Children of Indians residing in Nepal.
• Only regular offline undergraduate courses are eligible for assistance/scholarship under SPDC.
• 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.

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.

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.

Application Deadline: 30th January 2026