SPDC Scholarship 2025–2026: Apply Through Indian Embassy – Eligibility & Process

Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) – Applications Open for Academic Year 2025–2026

The Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC), an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, invites applications for the academic year 2025–2026. The scheme is designed to support the children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in pursuing undergraduate studies in India.

SPDC aims to promote India as a global hub for higher education by providing financial assistance for selected professional and non-professional undergraduate courses offered by Indian universities and institutions. The scholarship helps cover tuition fees, admission fees, and other eligible academic expenses, enabling meritorious students from the Indian diaspora to access quality education in India.

📅LAST DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: 30 JANUARY 2026

Eligibility for SPDC

(a) Children of NRIs/PIOs/0CIs who have studied outside India.
(b) Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries those who have studied outside India and those who have
studied in India.

**ECR Countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) / Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

• It refers to foreign nationals (excluding citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh) who previously held an Indian passport, or whose parent or grandparent was an Indian citizen under the Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, 1955. Applicants must submit valid documentary proof of Indian origin, preferably a PIO or OCI card issued by the Government of India. In the absence of a valid card, a declaration of Indian origin attested by the Head of the concerned Indian Mission/Post is required.

Non-Resident Indian (NRI)

• It is defined under the Income Tax Act, 1961, refers to an individual who is not a resident or not ordinarily resident in India. A person is considered “not ordinarily resident” if they have not resided in India for 9 out of the last 10 years or have stayed in India for less than 730 days during the preceding 7 years. Applicants applying under the NRI category must submit a valid NRI certificate along with their application.

Indian Workers in ECR Countries

• Applicants under this category must submit proof that their parent is an Indian worker in an ECR country, including a valid work permit and evidence of residence in the host country for the past two years.

What is the Age Limit for applying SPDC Program?

• 17 – 21 years (as on 31st July in the year apply)

** Date of birth mentioned in the Class 10 or equivalent certificate issued by the Secondary Education Board/University, or in the birth certificate issued by the competent government authority of the respective country, will be considered final and authentic.

What is the reservation policy under the SPDC scheme?

In which language SPDC courses taught?

• All courses offered under SPDC is in English.

What qualifications are required for Undergraduate Courses in SPDC?

Applicants securing admission in Undergraduate courses in any of the following category of institutions are eligible to apply for SPDC:-

1. Central Universities of India offering Undergraduate Courses.
2. A’ Grade Institutions accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognized by UGC.
3. National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Schools of Planning and Architecture and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) through DASA Scheme.

SPDC Scholarship Rules on Multiple Financial Assistance

Applicants who are receiving scholarships, financial aid, or any other assistance under any scheme funded or sponsored by the Central or State Government of India are not eligible for benefits under SPDC. Applicants, parents, or guardians must submit a signed declaration in the prescribed format

SPDC Declaration Form for Applicants / Parent / Guardian

Do children of Indians residing in Nepal qualify for SPDC?

Children of Indians residing in Nepal are eligible for SPDC if they meet two specific criteria.

(a) Both parents must be registered at the Indian Mission/Post in Nepal for at least 2 years.
(b) The applicant must have completed a minimum of two years of schooling in classes 11th and 12th in Nepal before applying.
(c) Criteria determined for the NRI sub-category will apply to the children of Indians residing in Nepal.

Note: (i) 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.

(ii) Eligibility of applicants, in doubtful cases, will be decided by the Ministry of External Affairs.

SPDC Declaration Form – Applicants do not posses Document Evidence

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the SPDC Application Form (2025–2026)

General Instructions

1. Language: The application must completed only in English.
2. Number of Applications: Only one application per applicant permitted.

Eligibility Check

• Applicants must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria (education, age, residence, physical fitness, etc.). Scholarship approval is subject to verification of original documents.

Photograph Dimensions

• Width: 100–200 px
• Height: 120–230 px
• Preferred size: 200 × 230 pixels
• File Size: 20–50 KB only

Upload a recent passport-size photograph. Files exceeding 50 KB will rejected.

Personal & Academic Details

1. Name: Enter exactly as mentioned in Class 10 / High School records. The same name must be used for all future correspondence.
2. Gender: Select the appropriate option.
3. Date of Birth: Enter as per the English calendar and recorded in the High School/University certificate.
4. Category: Select only one category:
5. Children of PIOs/OCIs/NRIs who studied outside India, or
6. Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries (studied in India or abroad).
7. Citizenship & Country of Residence: Select the appropriate options.
8. Country of 10+2 Examination: Enter the country where the Senior Secondary (10+2) examination was passed.

Parent/Guardian & Contact Information

Parent/Guardian Details: Enter the full name and address. If parents are deceased and the applicant is below 18 years, details of the guardian and relationship must be provided.

Contact Details: Provide complete postal address, phone/fax number, and email address (both abroad and in India) for official correspondence.

Institute & Course Details

• Enter complete details of the Indian Institute/University where admission is confirmed.
• Provide course details including academic duration (year/semester) only.
• Internship period should not be included.

Documents & Declarations

1. Passport Details: Provide passport information and upload a copy of the passport.
2. Study Abroad Details: Upload Class 11 and 12 mark sheets/certificates (if studied abroad).
3. Applicant Declaration: Signed by the applicant with date and place, scanned copy to uploaded.
4. Parent Declaration: Signed by the parent/guardian with date and place, scanned copy to uploaded.

Customer Support

For clarifications, applicants may contact: so1oia2@mea.gov.in.

Do SPDC applicants need a Student Visa?

Under the Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC), all selected Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), excluding OCI cardholders, are required to obtain a valid Student Visa issued by the respective Indian Mission/Post abroad. The student visa can be obtained by submitting the admission offer letter issued by the concerned Indian institute.

How to Submit the SPDC Application Form?

• The online scholarship application form is available at spdcindia.gov.in
• Applicants must save all information entered while completing the form.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi will not responsible for any delay in submission of the application.
• Submitting an application does not guarantee the award of a scholarship or admission to any institution.

What are the documents Uploaded while applying?

1. Authenticated mark transcripts of the qualifying examination (Class 12 or equivalent).
2. Pass certificates of Class 11 and Class 12 examinations.
3. For Indian Workers in ECR countries: Copy of the valid work permit of parent(s) must uploaded.
4. For PIO/OCI applicants: Copy of PIO/OCI card, or a declaration of Indian origin (attested by the Head of the Indian Mission and valid for the next 5 years).
5. For NRI applicants: Copy of a valid NRI certificate.
6. Self-attested annual salary certificate of parents, duly signed by the foreign-based employer.
7. Declaration confirming that the applicant is not receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance from the Central or State Government of India.

SPDC Selection Process: Shortlisting, Merit & Confirmation

The selection process is based on a Merit-cum-Means criterion. In case of equal merit, preference will given to applicants from lower-income families.

Stages of Selection

1. Online Application Submission

• Applicants must submit the application online only through the SPDC portal: https://spdcindia.gov.in..
• All required documents must uploaded on the portal.
• Offline applications will not accepted.

2. Preparation of Scholarship Awardee List

• The Selection Committee will prepare a category-wise list of selected scholarship awardees.
• The decision of the Selection Committee shall be final and binding.

3. Consent by Shortlisted Applicants

• Shortlisted candidates must confirm acceptance of the scholarship within 7 days of the publication of the selection list.
• Consent must sent via email to so1oia2@mea.gov.in or the designated agency.

4. Confirmation of Scholarship by Institution (Appendix ‘D’)

Within 15 days of selection, applicants must submit a duly stamped and signed undertaking (Appendix ‘D’) from the admitting institution.

The undertaking must confirm compliance with SPDC guidelines, including timely submission of:

• Tuition and hostel fee invoices
• Other applicable charges
• Student progress reports
• Institutional bank details for online transfer of scholarship funds

Submission of Appendix ‘D’

By Email (Scanned Copy):

• Within 15 days to spdcindia@mea.gov.in (or) so1oia2@mea.gov.in

By Post / In Person (Original Copy):

Within 22 days of merit list publication to:
Address:  Section Officer (DE)
Ministry of External Affairs
Room No. 112, Sushma Swaraj Bhawan
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021.
(or the designated agency)

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