Embassy of India, Vilnius, Lithuania

Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) for AY 2025-26

The Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC), run by the Ministry of External Affairs, provides financial assistance to children of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) pursuing undergraduate courses in India. The scholarship covers tuition fees, admission fees, and post-admission charges.

Since its launch in 2006-07, the SPDC scheme has been updated to allow diaspora students from all countries to apply, with 50% of scholarships reserved for female students. Medical undergraduate students are also eligible under this scheme.

Key Features:

Open to eligible applicants from all countries.
Applicable for 1st-year undergraduate students (for medical courses, from 2nd to 5th year).
Total 150 scholarships; 50 reserved for children of Indian workers in ECR countries, including 17 reserved for those who have studied in India.
Selection is on a Merit-cum-Means basis.
Applicants must have completed Grades 11 and 12 abroad. Children of Indian workers in ECR countries who studied in India must have recognized qualifications under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Eligible institutions include:
Central Universities of India
‘A’ Grade NAAC-accredited institutions recognized by UGC
NITs, Schools of Planning and Architecture, and IIITs through the DASA scheme
Scholarship amount: 75% of Institutional Economic Cost (IEC), up to US$ 4,000 per year (includes tuition and hostel fees; food charges excluded)
Income limits: Parents of NRI/PIO/OCI applicants – US$ 5,000/month; Parents of applicants in ECR category – US$ 3,000/month