Apply by October 25, 2016 in the Four Know India Programmes (KIP)

KIP2The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India will organize the following four Know India Programmes (KIP) from December 2016 to January 2017:

KIP No.

Dates

Partner State

37

17.12.2016 to 10.01.2017

Uttar Pradesh

38

17.12.2016 to 10.01.2017

Kerala

39

27.12.2016 to 20.01.2017

Gujarat

40

27.12.2016 to 20.01.2017

West Bengal

2.                 Updated Application Forms for the KIP and Revised Guidelines are  attached.

3.                 Following important aspects w.r.t. these KIPs may kindly be noted by all the applicants:

(i)                 All four KIP groups will participate in the youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 7 January 2017 in Bengaluru and the inauguration  of 14th PBD Convention on 8 January 2017 – where PM and select Chief Ministers will participate and address delegates.  Therefore, Bengaluru has been included in the 25 day itinerary of the KIP groups.

(ii)               In the Application Form, the applicant should indicate his preference for each KIP, in the order or priority. Ministry will attempt to allot the first preference of each applicant to the extent possible. If there are too many applicants for a specific KIP, the allotment of candidates will be on first-come-first serve basis and subject to fulfilment of all eligibility criteria.

(iii)             Since organizing four KIPs together is an exercise which involved detailed coordination, deadline for accepting  applications  is 30  October  2016.

(iv)             All other conditions/criteria for the KIP groups, will be as  specified  in the guidelines attached.

4.                 Completed application forms should be submitted by PIOs to Consulate General of India, Sydney by 25 October 2016.

5.                 This may kindly be given wide publicity and Indian diaspora youth may be encouraged to apply for the programme.

Government of India
Ministry of External Affairs
GUIDELINES FOR KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME (KIP)

  1. 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.

  1. Main elements of KIP
  1. Understanding of India’s political system, economy, society, and developments in various sectors etc.
  2. Visit to places of historical, cultural, religious importance.
  3. Familiarisationwith art, music and culture of India.
  4. Visit to industrial sites.
  5. Visit to a village.
  6. Interaction with non-profit organizations.
  7. Meetings with senior leadership/officials in India.
  8. Visit to a select state in India for 10 days.
  1. Arrangements:
  • 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.
  • The participants are provided local hospitality e.g. boarding/lodging in budget hotels and Internal transportation in India.
  • 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.
  1. 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 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.

 

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.

  1. Duration
  2. 25 days (excluding international travel) with 10 days in the partner State. The 25 day period includes the date of arrival and departure.
  3. Intake:
  • 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.
  • A reserve list of candidates will be maintained to fill the slots if the required number of candidates is not available for that particular KIP.

(iii)   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)               From each country a total of five PIOs will be selected.

(d)             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.

ROLE OF MEA:

(i)                 Equitable selection of maximum participants shall be made from across the globe.   A reserve list of participants will be maintained to fill the vacant slots in case any of the selected participants cancel their visit.

(ii)             If the total number of participants in a KIP is less than 40, Ministry will select the candidates from the reserve list, including from those countries where five PIOs have already been selected.

(iii)             Ministry shall maintain a reserve list of 15 candidates for each KIP.

(iv)             Constitution of a Committee for selection of participants in accordance with

the guidelines.

(v)               Drawing up the programme for KIP including the programme in the State, finalization of hotels, logistic arrangements.

(vi)             Selection of Event Manager for successful conduct of the KIP programme.

(vii)           Details of the Programme shall be posted on  www.mea.gov.in.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTNER STATE:

(i)             The Partner State shall bear the costs of the stay of the KIP participants in their State for 10 days including hotel accommodation (twin sharing basis in a 3 Star or above category of hotel), local transportation (Volvo AC Coach for local transportation), boarding and lodging.

(ii)           The State Government will arrange visit of the participants to places of historic, cultural, industrial and tourist importance in the State.

(iii)         The State Government will facilitate participants meeting with leadership in

State Government.

(iv)            Include exposure of village life for one/ two days.

(v)               Arrange interactive sessions in premier universities/ organizations of the

State.

(vi)         Arranged cultural programmes showcasing the State’s cultural heritage.

(vii)           Ensure security of KIP participants and provide medical care as per

requirement.

(viii)         Designate a Nodal Officer for coordinating the programme within the State.

(ix)          Designate a nodal officer of the State Government with whom MEA can

coordinate.

(x)            Designate a Liaison Officer for the KIP Group during their tour of the State.

(xi)            Bring any untoward incident during KIP with regard to safety, security and

health of     KIP participants immediately to the attention of this Ministry.

(xii)          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.

(xiii)         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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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