Applications open for 82nd Know India Programme

KIP is an engagement programme for Diaspora youth (between the age of 21-35 years) of Indian origin to introduce them to India and promote awareness about different facets of Indian life, their cultural heritage, art and various aspects of contemporary India.

Main Elements of KIP

• Presentations on India, and its polity, economy, history, culture, etc.
• Visit to institutes of democracy and governance like Parliament of India, Election Commission of India, Rashtrapati Bhawan and call on High Dignitaries.
• Showcasing achievements in diverse sectors, including Science &Technology, Information Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Startup ecosystem, Digital infrastructure, India Stack, JAM Trinity, Education, Defence, Agriculture and Tourism.
• Visit to places of historical, and cultural importance.
• Familiarisation with cultural and civilizational heritage of India, including Yoga, Ayurveda, Classical forms of Music and Dance.
• Exposure to Govt. of India schemes like Skill India, Digital India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, StartUp India.
• Visit to industrial sites, public and private firms to showcase India’s strength in Manufacturing &Services sector.
• Immersion program along with interaction with faculty and students at a prestigious University/College/Institute.
• Visit to leading Scientific and Research Institutions. Exposure to Indian Media and Broadcasting industry.
• Visit to one or two State(s) in India to expose the participants to the cultural diversity of India.

Benefits

• The Ministry of External Affairs will take care of participants only for the duration of the programme. If participants wish to arrive in India early or stay extra, they will have to make their own arrangements.
• The participants are provided local hospitality e.g. boarding/lodging in budget hotels and internal transportation in India (including airport transfers).
• Missions will arrange for return air tickets before participants leave for India, after getting 10% of total air fare from them.
• Gratis visa shall be granted to selected participants by the Indian Missions/Posts abroad.

Duration

• The duration of the programme is about three weeks (including international travel).

Eligibility Criteria

• The programme is open to youth of Indian origin (excluding non-resident Indians) in the age group of 21-35 years, as on the first day of the month in which the programme is expected to begin.
• It is open to PIO youth from all over the world. Applicant must provide his/her OCI card number or PIO card number or that of his/her parents or grandparents. In the absence of any documentary proof of Indian Origin, the applicant must submit a written undertaking about his Indian Origin which must be attested by DCM/DCG or HOM/HOP of the Mission/Post.
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible to apply.
• Previous participation: The applicant should not have participated in any previous edition of Know India Programme or any other programme organized and paid for by the Ministry of External Affairs and any other Ministry/Department in Government of India or a State Government in India.
• Educational Qualification: Minimum qualification required for participating in KIP is graduation from a recognized University/Institute. Applicants pursuing graduation are not eligible to apply.
• Language: The applicants should be able to speak in English, should have studied English as a subject at the High School level or have English as the medium of instruction for undergraduate course.
• The applicants who have not visited India before will be given preference.

Selection Criteria

• The Programme is open to PIO youth from all over the world, with preference given to Indian origin youth from Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica (also known as Girmitiya countries).
• Person selected would be within 21-35 years as on the first day of the month in which the programme is expected to begin.
• If for any reason, the confirmed KIP candidates drop out before KIP starts, the slot will be offered to the candidates in the reserve list as per their placing in the list.

For more information, visit Embassy of India.