Change in scholarship for Indian diaspora

KUALA LUMPUR: The Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) under the High Commission of India has undergone numerous modifications, including an increased monthly income of US$4,000 (RM17,500).

In a statement released yesterday, the commission said the scholarship was for Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), Non-Resident Indians (NRI) and children of Indian workers, who were pursuing undergraduate programmes in specific courses in India.

The commission said the NRI and PIO students who were admitted in India in the 2015/2016 batch were now eligible for scholarship under SPDC.

They would also be governed by guidelines of the existing revamped SPDC 2016/2017 scheme.

“Such students would be considered for scholarship from the current academic year, where they will not receive scholarship amount for the 2015/2016 academic year.

“The amount of scholarship for this category of students shall be determined as applicable for second-year students.

“These candidates can apply for the scholarship through the SPDC portal,” the statement said.

Besides the update of increase in monthly income, the commission said candidates could now upload self-attached copies of all supporting documents except proof of Indian origin.

“The proof of Indian origin or undertaking of Indian origin of applicants would be attended by the commission and submitted through the portal.”

Also, students admitted in other premier technical institutions covered under the Direct Admission to Students Abroad (DASA) scheme shall be eligible for the scholarship.

The list of institutes for undergraduate courses under DASA 2016 is available online, and the last date of applications has been extended to Nov 30.

Other provisions of SPDC, the commission said, remained the same.