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The outreach programmes of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) for Diaspora Youth include Know India Programme (KIP), Study India Programme (SIP) and Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children
(SPDC).
Know India Programme: This is a three-week orientation programme for diaspora youth conducted with a view to promote awareness on different facets of life in India and the progress made by the country in various fields e.g. economic, industrial, education, science and technology, communication and information technology, culture. KIP provide a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views, expectations and experiences and to develop closer bonds with contemporary India. Four to five such programmes are conducted every year in partnership with one or two State Governments.
Based on recommendations received from Heads of Indian Missions/Posts abroad, About 35 Indian Diaspora Youth in the age group of 18-26 years, are selected for each programme Selected participants are provided with full hospitality in India during the duration of the programme. 90% (ninety percent) of the total cost of air ticket (at lowest economy excursion fare) is refundable to the participants on successful completion of the programme by them. So far MOIA has organized 22 Know India
Programmes.
Study India Programme: This programme is envisaged as a means of enhancing engagement with the diaspora youth. The objective of the scheme is to enable overseas Indian youth, i.e. foreign citizens of Indian origin in the age group of 18-26 years to undergo short term courses in the nature of summer schools to familiarize them with the art and culture, heritage, history, economy and development of India. Such short term courses shall aim at providing an opportunity to the overseas Indian youth to better understand and appreciate contemporary India, foster closer ties with the land of their ancestors and enhance their engagement with India.
The participants are selected based on recommendations received from Heads of India Missions / Posts abroad. Selected participants are provided with full hospitality in India for the duration of the Programme. 50% of the cost of air ticket by economy class (direct flight) is refundable to the participants on successful completion of the programme by them.
Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children: This was introduced in the academic year 2006-2007 with the objective to make higher education in India accessible to the children of overseas Indians and promote India as a centre for higher studies.
Under the scheme, 100 PIO/NRI students are awarded scholarship of up to US$ 4,000 per annum for undergraduate courses in Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and some other courses.
The scheme is open to NRIs/PIOs from over 40 countries having substantial Indian Diaspora population. The applications from the students who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria may be sent to the Indian Missions / Posts abroad. These applications are evaluated and shortlisted by a selection committee consisting of officers from Ministry of HRD, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Ed.CIL (India), an autonomous body under Ministry of
HRD.
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