A statement released by the High Commission of India in Canberra says, “150 scholarships are available for the year 2018-19.”
Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) was introduced in 2006-07 “to make higher education in Indian Universities/Institutes in different fields (except medical and related courses) in India accessible to the children of overseas Indians (PIOs) and Non- resident Indian students (NRIs) and promote India as a centre for higher studies.”
The scheme was extended from 40 to 66 countries in 2016-17, and the number of scholarships was increased to 150 to 100.
A note published on Ministry of External Affair’s web page states, “Under the Scheme, PIO/NRI students are awarded scholarship of up to US$ 4000 per annum for payment of tuition fee, admission fee and post-admission services for Under Graduate courses in Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and some other courses.”
Detailed terms and conditions of the program can be seen at www.spdcindia.gov.in.
