India and World

UPSC Prelims 2025 Notes

Seven regional PBDs outside India

  1. New York, USA on 24th September, 2007.
  2. Singapore on 10-11 October, 2008.
  3. Hague, Netherlands on 19 September, 2009.
  4. Durban, South Africa on 1st and 2nd October, 2010.
  5. Toronto, Canada on 8th to 10th June, 2011.
  6. Mauritius on 27-28 October, 2012.
  7. Sydney, Australia on 10-12th November, 2013.
    • Know India Programme (KIP) of the Ministry is the three-week orientation programme for diaspora youths (between the age 18-26 years) of Indian origin conducted in partnership with one state government with a view to introduce India to them and promote awareness on different facets of Indian life.
    • Study India Programme (SIP) which enables overseas Indian youth in the age group of 18026 years to undergo short term course for 4 weeks in an Indian University.
    • ‘Study India Programme’ was launched for the first time from June 2012 to October 2012 in Symbiosis University, Pune, Maharashtra with participation of 9 youths of Indian Origin from four countries Trinidad and Tobago, Malaysia, Fiji and South Africa.
    • Scheme launched by MOIA in 2006-07 to make higher education in India accessible to the children of overseas Indians and promote India as a centre for higher studies. 100 scholarships up to US $400 per course per annum are offered to PIO ns NRI students.
    • OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARD SCHEME: Overseas citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was launched in August, 2005, by amending the citizenship Act, 1955. The OCI scheme is operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Scheme provides for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) for all persons of Indian origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on or after 26 January, 1950. A registered OCI is granted multiple entries, multiple purpose, lifelong visa for visiting India and is exempted for registration with FRRO for any length of stay in India.
    • In order to protect the interests of workers/ professionals India has signed bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSA) with 17 countries. These are: Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxemberg, Hungary, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Norway, Finland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Australia, Portugal and Quebec (a province of Canada).
    • That the largest numbers of Indian expatriates are working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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