New Delhi: A rising number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are choosing to pursue higher education in India. This trend is driven by several factors, including the high quality of Indian universities, especially in fields like Science, Technology, Medicine, and Engineering, all offered at reasonable prices. In addition, the lower cost of living in India makes it an appealing option for many students.
To support this initiative, the Indian government launched the Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) in 2006-07. This program aims to help the children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and NRIs access higher education in Indian universities and institutes. However, it’s important to note that the scholarships do not cover medical or related courses.
Every year, the Ministry provides 150 scholarships under this scheme. Out of these, 50 scholarships are designated for PIOs, another 50 for NRIs, and the remaining 50 are specifically for the children of Indian workers living in countries like Afghanistan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, among others. The SPDC program is available to students from 69 selected countries.
Students awarded scholarships can receive up to US$ 4,000 each year. This funding helps cover tuition fees, hostel fees, admission fees, and other related expenses, but does not include food charges. The scholarships are applicable for various undergraduate programs in Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, and more.
Indian universities such as the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology also offer direct admissions for foreign nationals, NRIs, and PIOs. Other institutions like Vels University and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham have made provisions for these students, further enhancing educational opportunities in India.
