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KIP draws 1,060 diaspora youth over five years: Govt
Mauritius led participation while U.S. saw 16 participants; government cites strong diaspora engagement.
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Pranavi Sharma - Mon, 06, Apr 2026
- 02:09 EDT
- 11
Participants of the 35th Know India Programme (KIP) in Mumbai, India. / High commision of India
The Know India Programme (KIP) drew 1,060 participants from 41 countries over the past five years, with Mauritius recording the highest participation and the United States accounting for 16 participants, the government told Parliament.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on April 2, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the program continues to see “overwhelming” interest from the Indian diaspora, often exceeding its current capacity of 40 participants per batch.
ALSO READ: India Invites Applications for 88th Know India Programme
According to data provided in Annexure-I of the reply, Mauritius led with 214 participants, followed by Fiji with 187. Other countries with notable participation included Guyana (99), Trinidad and Tobago (95), Suriname (90), and South Africa (76). The United States recorded 16 participants over the five-year period.
Singh said the ministry “constantly monitors and evaluates” the program’s impact in strengthening “the cultural, emotional and developmental engagement of overseas Indian youth with India.” He added that feedback is collected from participants and Indian missions abroad and incorporated into future editions to improve effectiveness.
“The feedback of the KIP participants has been encouraging,” Singh said, citing positive experiences shared by participants on social media and their recommendations to peers to join the program.
The government also highlighted steps taken to expand the program’s reach, including the use of digital platforms, social media outreach, and content such as videos, infographics, and quizzes to engage younger members of the diaspora. Indian missions abroad have also conducted targeted outreach to promote participation.
Singh said the response from young diaspora members has been “overwhelming,” with each edition of the program receiving more applications than available slots. Participants are selected to ensure broad geographic representation across the global Indian diaspora.
The Know India Programme is an initiative aimed at connecting overseas Indian youth with their roots by familiarizing them with India’s culture, heritage, and development initiatives.
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