Ministry of External Affairs in India launched the next edition of the SPDC Programme for the academic year 2025-26 for the Children of NRIs/PIOs/OCIs pursuing Undergraduate courses in different disciplines in India. A copy of the SPDC guidelines for 2025-26 is provided below for your kind reference. Following are the principal features of the SPDC Programme for the academic year 2025-26:
(i) The SPDC Scheme is applicable to eligible applicants from the NRI/PIO/OCI community in all foreign countries.
(ii) Students who have already secured admission in Indian institutions are eligible to apply. The scheme can only be availed by 1st year Undergraduate students (other than students pursuing Medical courses who can apply from the 2nd year of their academic programme). The duration of the scholarships for diaspora students pursuing UG Medical courses in Indian Medical Institutes will be from the 2nd to the 5th year.
(iii) The total number of scholarships under the SPDC programme is 150, out of which 50 slots are reserved for Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries. Further, out of these 50 slots, one-third of slots (i.e 17 slots) shall be reserved for those Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries who have studied in India.
(iv) The selection of applicants for scholarships will be on Merit-cum-Means basis.
(v) Applicants from all the categories must have passed Grades 11th and 12th from abroad. However, under the category of Children of Indian Workers in ECR countries, who have studied in India, the applicant must have passed Grade 11th and 12th or equivalent examination from a system of education recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
(vi) Following institutions are covered under the SPDC Scheme:
(a) Central Universities of India offering Undergraduate courses;
(b) ‘A’ Grade institutions accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognized by UGC.
(c) National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Schools of Planning and Architecture and Indian Institutes of Information and Technology (IIITs) through DASA Scheme.
(vii) The amount of scholarship admissible would be 75% of the total Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) subject to a maximum of US$ 4,000/- per annum. IEC includes Tuition fees, Hostel fees & other institutional charges (Food charges are excluded).
(viii) The total monthly income of the parent(s) of the NRIs/PIOs/OCIs category applicants should not exceed an amount equivalent to US$ 5000/- and the total monthly income of the parent(s) of the Indian workers in ECR category applicants should not exceed an amount equivalent of US$ 3000/-.
4. Indian youth/Indian origin youth, who have taken admission in academic courses in India in Academic Year 2025-26 and are eligible to avail the benefits under the Scheme, are encouraged to apply for the Scholarship at the earliest.
The last date for submission of SPDC Application Forms at the Indian Missions/Posts abroad is 30 January, 2026.
Application form can be accessed in the link below:
https://www.indiainfiji.gov.in/docs/1767327227spdc%20application%20form.pdf
Download Guidelines below.
