• November 28, 2025

Indian Govt Invites Young Diaspora to Join “Know India Programme,” Set for January 2026

LONDON Nov 28: The India government has announced the launch of the 85th edition of its flagship Know India Programme (KIP), calling on young members of the Indian diaspora worldwide to participate in the initiative aimed at deepening cultural, economic, and knowledge-based engagement with their ancestral homeland.

Scheduled to take place from January 6 to 27, 2026, the upcoming KIP will offer participants — aged 21 to 35 — an immersive introduction to India’s contemporary landscape, from art and heritage to science, technology, innovation, and economic development. Since its inception in 2003–04, the programme has welcomed nearly 3,000 youth of Indian origin from across the globe. Click Here for KIP Guidelines and Application Form

Officials emphasized that the 85th KIP holds special significance due to its integration with the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD), a major youth-focused initiative during the National Youth Festival on January 12, 2026. KIP participants will take part in the Dialogue’s “Challenge Track,” a four-stage national competition featuring an online quiz, essay writing, leadership-based presentations, and a National Championship before India’s Prime Minister. The Dialogue will convene 3,000 young leaders from India and the global diaspora across innovation, culture, design, and technology tracks, guided by a network of distinguished “Pathbreaker” mentors. The aim, officials noted, is to empower youth to contribute meaningfully to India’s long-term vision of becoming a developed nation—Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Because the KIP online portal is currently non-functional, applications will be accepted via email according to the timeline provided by the Indian Embassy. Interested candidates residing within the Embassy of India, London jurisdiction must submit

A completed application form
Copies of educational certificates
Passport and OCI/PIO documents
A recent colour passport photograph
A brief information sheet in the required MS Word format

Click Here for KIP Guidelines and Application Form

Know India Programme
Know India Programme (KIP) is an initiative by the Ministry of External Affairs for the Indian Diaspora youth between the age group of 21-35 years. The primary objective of the KIP is to foster a closer connection between Indian diaspora youth and their ancestral homeland by augmenting their understanding of India. The Programme provides a platform for the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) youth to familiarize themselves with the contemporary India, through about three week ‘knowledge tourism’ programme providing them an exposure to different aspects of the growth and development of India. The programme is open to youth of Indian origin (excluding Non-Resident Indians) with preference given to PIOs from Girmitiya countries. A maximum of 40 Indian Diaspora youth are selected for each programme and provided full hospitality in India. 90% of the total cost of international airfare is also borne by the Ministry. The entire process of applying, processing etc. is through KIP Portal https://www.kip.gov.in