The Ministry of External Affairs launched the Know India Programme (KIP) to promote awareness of different facets of life in India amongst diaspora youths. It is a three-week (25 days) orientation programme for students and young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, develop closer bonds with contemporary India and share their views, expectations and experiences.
The Ministry of External Affairs organises the KIP in partnership with one or two states for ten days. KIP shows the progress made by India in various fields, such as industry, science and technology, education, economics, culture, and communication and information technology.
It is open to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), excluding Non-Resident Indians, with preference to those from Girmitiya countries (Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa, Jamaica etc.)
The programme content broadly includes the following:
Age criteria
The KIP is open to youth of Indian origin in the age group of 18-30 years. However, Non-Resident Indians are not eligible to apply under KIPs. It is open to PIO youths from all over the world.
Previous participation
The applicant should not have participated in the Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY) Study India Programme of MEA, previous KIP, programme organised and paid for by the Ministry of External Affairs and any other department or Ministry in Government of India or State Governments in India. Applicants who have not visited India are given preference.
Educational qualification
The minimum educational qualification required for participating is graduation from a recognised institute/university or enrollment for graduation.
Language
The applicants should have studied English as a subject in High School, or English should be the medium of instruction in undergraduate courses. Applicants must be able to speak English.
The online application process for KIP is as follows:
Alternatively, applicants can apply to the Indian Mission/Post in their country. The applications are submitted to the Indian Diplomatic Mission or the Consular Post that covers the applicant’s area of residence.
The Ministry of External Affairs will select the participants based on nominations received from Indian Missions/Posts abroad. A total of up to 40 participants can be selected under KIP.
The programme duration is 21 days (excluding international travel) with ten days stay in one or two partner states. The details of the programme are posted on the KIP website.
There have been some instances under KIP where participants have faced health issues during their visit to India. It becomes difficult to settle the expenditures incurred on medical care for the participants during their stay in India without valid travel and medical insurance policy. Thus, all participants are advised to get international travel and medical insurance policy for their visit to India.