What is the Know India Programme (KIP)?

About Know India Programme (KIP)

• KIP is a flagship programme of the Ministry of External Affairs for engagement with Indian origin youth (between 18 and 30 years old).
• It is a three-week orientation programme for diaspora youth conducted with a view to promoting awareness of different facets of life in contemporary India.
• The programme has been in existence since 2003.
• Features of KIP:
  • 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 for KIP participants visiting India is borne by the Ministry, while the remaining 10% is borne by the applicants themselves.
  • During the period of their stay in India, the Ministry provides for their accommodation, meals, and domestic transportation by road/air.
  • During the period of their stay in India, the KIP participants are given insights into their 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.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • The programme is open to youth of Indian origin (excluding non-resident Indians) in the age group of 18-30 years, with preference given to those from Girmitiya countries (Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, T&T, Jamaica, etc.).
  • 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 such programmes organised by the Government of India or a State Government in India.
  • Those who have not visited India before will be given preference.
  • The minimum qualification required for participating in KIP is graduation from a recognized University /Institute or enrolled for graduation.
  • The applicants should be able to speak in English, have studied English as a subject at the High School level, or have English as the medium of instruction for undergraduate course.

Q1) What are Girmitiya countries?

Between the early 19th and early 20th centuries, more than a million indentured Indian labourers, or ‘girmitiyas’, were transported from British India to work on plantations in 19 British colonies. Fiji, Mauritius, Jamaica, South Africa, Guyana and Suriname are among the many girmitiya countries that are home to large ethnic Indian populations.

Source: MEA’s Flagship ‘Know India Programme’ for youth diaspora completes 20 years