No.FRA/321/1/12                                                            July 23, 2012

 Dear all,

We are happy to inform you that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the Government of India proposes to start a programme called the ‘Study India Programme’ (SIP) to enable overseas Indian youth (foreign citizens of Indian origin only; not including Non-Resident Indians) in the age group 18-26 years to undergo a short term course of 4 weeks to familiarize them with the art, culture, heritage, history and social and economic development of India. The Programme will be organized from 25 September-23 October, 2012 (tentative dates) in partnership with a select Institute of repute. There would be 30 participants in the programme. The participants would undergo a 3 week programme within the selected Institute with academic and cultural content and one week of field visits organized by the Institute.  

2.Guidelines and application form for the programme are enclosed. Exact date for the programme would be conveyed at least a month before its commencement.

3. The following may be noted in this regard: 

(i)       This programme is open only for diaspora youth in the age group of 18-26 years.  NRIs are not eligible to apply for this programme.

(ii)      It is open to PIOs from all over the world.

(iii)      Only those nominations which are in accordance with the prescribed guidelines will be accepted by the Ministry.

(iv)    Nominations received  after the prescribed last date would not be considered.

(v)     List of applicants who have been selected for the SIP would be communicated at least a month before its commencement.

(vi)     Selected participants would be required to purchase air ticket for their journey from the country of residence to India and back, as per the schedule prescribed by the Ministry. Concerned Indian Mission/Post would reimburse 50% (fifty percent) of the total cost of air ticket (at lowest economy excursion fare) to the participants on successful completion of the programme by them.

 4.       Details of the Programme may also  be seen on the website of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs  (http://moia.gov.in)  

6. Nominations from the areas falling under the jurisdiction of this Consulate, namely,  Hessen, North Rhine-West Phalia, Saarland and Rhineland Palatinate, for the first Study India Programme should reach this Consulate by 10^th of August, 2012.  While filling up the application, care must be taken to fill in all the columns carefully because incomplete applications will not be accepted.

 7.  Please feel free to contact me at consulpic@cgifrankfurt.de.

With regards

Yours sincerely,

Subhash Chand

Consul (PIC)

GUIDELINES FOR FIRST STUDY INDIA PROGRAMME (SIP)

1.  The first SIP is tentatively scheduled to be held from 25 September-23 October, 2012.

2.  Duration of the programme would be for 4 weeks. If there is any change in the above mentioned dates, revised dates would be communicated in due course.

3.  The Programme is open to youth of Indian origin in the age group of 18-26 years as on the first day of the month in which the programme commences. It is open to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) (not Non-Resident Indians) from all over the world.

4.   The total number of participants in any SIP may not exceed 30 at a time.

5.  Minimum educational qualification required for applying is graduation. Those who are studying for graduation may also apply.

6.  Selected participants would be required to purchase air ticket for their journey from their country of residence to India and back, as per the schedule prescribed by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs for the programme. On successful completion of the programme by the participants, the concerned Indian Missions/Posts would reimburse 50% of the cost of air-ticket by economy class (direct flight) to the participants. Cost of boarding, lodging, local transportation and course fee during the programme will be is borne by Government of India.

7.  The applicant should not have participated in any previous Know India Programme (KIP) or Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY). Students and those who have not visited India before are encouraged to apply.

8.  The applicants should be able to converse in English [they should have studied English as a subject at the High School level or should have English as a medium of instruction for the undergraduate course].

9.   Gratis visa by Indian Missions/Posts abroad will be granted to the selected participants.

10. The Mission should seek a medical fitness certificate from the participants before recommending them for the programme. Participant should have medical insurance before visa is granted to them.

11. The participants should be made aware of the prevailing weather conditions in India: during visits to rural India air-conditioned accommodation may not always be available.

12. All applicants for the programme may be asked to write an essay of 250 to 300 words on why they want to participate in the programme and what they expect to gain from it.

13. Selected participants would be required to abide by the regulations of the Study India Programme as conveyed to them by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs or its agency nominated to conduct the Programme or through Indian Missions/Posts abroad. The participants are expected to fully cooperate and abide by the regulations of the Programme in order to ensure its smooth conduct and success.

14. In the event a participant is found guilty of misconduct or indiscipline during the course of his / her stay, the participant may be asked to leave the programme. Such participants would have to meet the entire cost of their air travel from his/her country of residence to India & back and clause 6 above relating to refund of 50% of the air-fare by the Indian Missions/Posts will not be applicable to them. Drinking and smoking in many places in India is banned and is discouraged during the programme. Participants are expected to remain with the group and take the programme seriously.

15. The participants will not be permitted to leave the Programme mid-way. All are expected to participate in the various programmes organized for them enthusiastically & are not expected to stay back in their residential facility except for medical reasons, on the advice of the doctor. Participants who leave the programme on their own will not be entitled to the airfare.

16. The organizers will take care of the participants only for the duration of the scheduled programme. If the participants wish to arrive early or delay departure they will have to make their own arrangements at their own cost.

17. Duly completed application form for the programme, along with a passport size photograph, is to be submitted at the Indian Diplomatic Mission/Consular Post that covers the area of residence of the applicant. Nominations received after the due date, incomplete and unsigned applications, or forms not accompanied with photographs would be summarily rejected.

Details of the Programme may also be seen on website of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (http://www.moia.gov.in).

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM.