SPECIAL
Edition of Know India Programme:
the
Ministry of External Affairs,
Government of India
has decided to conduct a "SPECIAL Edition of Know India
Programme", to mark the Golden Jubilee Edition of KIP, in place
of regular 50th
Edition of KIP, in which 49 candidates will be selected from amongst
the candidates, who have already attended any of the 47 Editions of
KIP and also from those who will be attending the 48th and 49th KIPs,
scheduled to be held from 25th October, 2018 and 20th November, 2018
respectively. This is to select one candidate from each of the
1st to 49th KIP participants to be part of this Special Edition of
KIP. In addition one candidate will be selected from the fresh
applicants. A total of 50 participants will be selected for
Special Edition of Know India Programme.
More
details may be obtained from: https://kip.gov.in
GUIDELINES
FOR KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME (KIP)
-
About
the Programme:
KIP
is an engagement programme for Diaspora youth (between the age of
18-30 years) of Indian origin to introduce them to India and promote
awareness about different facets of Indian life, our cultural
heritage, art and various aspects of contemporary India. This
programme is open to youth of Indian origin (excluding non-resident
Indians) with preference to those from Girmitiya countries
(Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, T&T, Jamaica etc.). The
programme has been in existence since 2003.
-
Main
elements of KIP
a)
Understanding of India’s political system, economy, society, and
developments in various sectors etc.
b)
Visit to places of historical, cultural, religious importance.
c)
Familiarisationwith art, music and culture of India.
d)
Visit to industrial sites.
e)
Visit to a village.
f)
Interaction with non-profit organizations.
g)
Meetings with senior leadership/officials in India.
h)
Visit to a select state in India for 10 days.
-
Arrangements:
(a)
The Ministry of External Affairs will take care of participants only
for the duration of the program. If participants wish to arrive in
India early or stay extra, they will have to make their own
arrangements.
(b)
The participants are provided local hospitality e.g. boarding/lodging
in budget hotels and Internal transportation in India.
(c)
Indian Missions/ Aboard Posts will arrange for return air tickets
before participants leave for India, after getting 10% of total air
fare from them.
(d)
Gratis visa shall be granted to selected participants by the Indian
Missions/Posts abroad.
-
Eligibility
Criteria:
Non
Resident Indians
are
not eligible for KIPs.
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, grandparents or
great 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.
Previous
participation:
The
applicant should not have participated in any previous KIP or
Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY) 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.
Those
who have not visited India before will be given preference.
Educational
Qualification:
Minimum
qualification required for participating in KIP is graduation from a
recognized University /Institute or enrolled for graduation.
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.
-
Duration
a)
25 days (excluding international travel) with 10 days in the partner
State. The 25 day period includes the date of arrival and departure.
-
Intake:
(i)
The total number of participants in a KIP will not exceed 40. If
there are less than 20 applicants, KIP will not be conducted and
applicants can opt to join for the next KIP, if they wish to.
(ii)
Effort will be made for balanced participation of male and female
PIOs in each KIP.
International
Medical and Travel Insurance:
There
have been some previous instances in KIPs where participants have
faced health issues during their visit to India. In the absence of a
valid travel and medical insurance policy, it is difficult to settle
the expenditure incurred on the medical care for the participant
while in India. Therefore, all KIP participants are advised to obtain
an international travel and medical insurance policy for their visit
to India.
ROLE
OF MISSIONS/POSTS
(i)
Mission/Post shall recommend to Ministry only the names of candidates
who meet all eligibility criteria. Head of Mission/Post or
DCM/DHC/DCG will certify that the applicant is a Person of Indian
Origin in the absence of any proof of India Origin.
(ii)
Mission/Post may arrange for return air tickets before participants
leave for India, after getting 10% of total air fare from the
participants. Mission may obtain a signed written undertaking from
the participant that he/she will reimburse to the Indian Mission/Post
the amount spent on airfare by Govt. of India, if he/she will not
complete the KIP.
(iii)
Payment for airfare and Gratis visa by Indian Missions/Posts abroad
shall be granted to selected participants after participant submits
copy of valid travel and medical insurance for the duration of their
visit to India. This is a mandatory provision before issuing ticket
and visa.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS:
(a)
Preference would be given to Indian origin persons from
Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago (also known
as Girmitiya countries)
(b)
Person selected would be within 18-30 years of age.
(c)
If for any reason, the confirmed KIP candidates drop out 20 days
before KIP starts, the slot will be offered to the candidates in the
reserve list as per their placing in the list.
RESPONSIBILITIES
OF THE PARTNER STATE:
(i)
The State Government will arrange visit of the participants to places
of historic, cultural, industrial and tourist importance in the
State.
(ii)
The State Government will facilitate participants meeting with
leadership in State Government.
(i11)
Include exposure of village life for one/ two days.
(iv)
Arrange interactive sessions in premier universities/ organizations
of the State.
(v)
Arranged cultural programmes showcasing the State’s cultural
heritage.
(vi)
Ensure security of KIP participants and provide medical care as per
requirement.
(vii)
Designate a Nodal Officer for coordinating the programme within the
State.
(viii)
Designate a nodal officer of the State Government with whom MEA can
coordinate.
(ix)
Designate a Liaison Officer for the KIP Group during their tour of
the State.
(x)
Bring any untoward incident during KIP with regard to safety,
security and health of KIP participants immediately to the attention
of this Ministry.
(xi)
Include the Regional Passport Officer and the Ministry of External
Affairs Branch Secretariat Officer in the formal meetings of the KIP
participants with State Government Dignitaries.
(xii)
Arrange for a wrap up session chaired by a Minister of the
State/Senior Official and distribute certificates of the programme,
if it ends in the State.