Know India Programme: Overview

          Know India Programme is an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India aimed to connect the Indian diaspora youth all over the world in the age group 18-30 years with their motherland. Launched in December 2003, Know India Programme (KIP) is a three-week orientation programme for diaspora youth conducted with a view to promote awareness on different facets of life in contemporary India. 

          As a part of the programme, the applicants finalized through the selection process visit India for a 21-day schedule. 90% of the cost of international airfare in respect of KIP participants visiting India is borne by the Ministry, while the remaining 10% is borne the applicants themselves.  During the period of their stay in India, the Ministry provides for their accommodation, meals (including breakfast, lunch and dinner) and domestic transportation by road/ air.

          During the period of their stay in India, the KIP participants are given insights to understanding of India’s political system, economy, society, and developments in various key sectors. Further, they are also provided exposure to India’s history and heritage by visiting places of historical and cultural significance. The Ministry also facilitates their interactions with students and professionals from various fields; along with arranging for meetings and call on visits with senior officials and leadership. The KIP participants are also taken for a 7–10-day state visit to one or more Indian states as a part of the Programme.

          The Ministry has successfully arranged 65 editions of Know India Programme until 2022-23. In 2023, the programme has been revamped to reflect elements of ‘New India’ and the vision of ‘Amrit Kaal’, with focus on highlighting sectoral developments in S&T, IT, Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Startup ecosystem, Digital infrastructure, India Stack, JAM trinity, Defence and Agriculture while further highlighting cultural and civilizational heritage of India like Yoga, Ayurveda, classical dance forms & music and archaeological history.

          KIP provide a unique forum for students & young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views, expectations & experiences and to develop closer bonds with the contemporary India.

          The 66^th and 67^th KIP programmes will be organised as per details below:

Eligibility Criteria:

1. course Non Resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible for KIPs.
2. Age:  The programme is open to youth of Indian origin (excluding non-resident Indians) in the age group of 18-30 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 previous PIO card number or that of his 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/Consulate.
3. Previous participation: The applicant should not have participated in any previous KIP, Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY) or Study India Programme of MEA 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.
4. Educational Qualification: Minimum qualification required for participating in KIP is graduation from a recognized University/ Institute or enrolled for graduation.
5. 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.

Note:- Those who have not visited India before will be given preference.

Registrations are now open for 66^th and 67^th KIP. For more details, please visit https://kip.gov.in/ .

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