On 17 June 2017 EAM inaugurated a portal for Know India Programme (KIP), the Ministry's flagship initiative for engagement with young overseas Indians. The portal www.kip.gov.in enables Indian-origin youth to apply online for KIP programmes. Missions and Consulates can go through the applications online, verify the Indian-origin status of the applicants and other eligibility criteria and recommend applications for Ministry's consideration. Ministry will examine applications recommended by Missions and select the final list of candidates who are eligible to participate in KIPs.
This year i.e. in 2017-18, we will organise six KIPs with participation of 40 overseas Indians in each programme.
The schedule of KIPs has been finalised and can be seen online. Indian-origin youth can submit applications online for the following first four KIPs to be held in 2017 i.e. 41, 42, 43 & 44:
No. Date State Partner
41 KIP 8-17 September 2017 Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh
42 KIP 4-13 October 2017 Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh
43 KIP 6-15 November 2017 Meghalaya & Assam
44 KIP 5-14 December 2017 Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
45th and 46th KIPs will be held in early 2018. Applications for these KIPs will be accepted in October.
Among new features, the applicants can indicate their preferences online for any three KIPs. We will do our best to accommodate them in the KIP of their first preference. As Missions are aware, we will give preference to selection of KIP participants from countries in the Caribbean and African regions and those from former French colonies especially second, third and fourth generation overseas Indians who have never visited India so far. Missions/Consulates are requested to verify their Indian origin status as per available information and documents without insisting on PIO or OCI cards.
Instructions for Missions and applicants on how to use the portal would be uploaded shortly on the portal.
Applications can be submitted online by the overseas Indians from 23 June to 21 July 2017. Thereafter Missions will be given one week i.e. from 21-27 July to recommend applications for Ministry's consideration. The final list of KIP participants will be drawn up by Ministry by 31 July.
Keeping these timelines in mind Missions/Consulates are requested to undertake publicity among the Indian Associations and community organisations for the upcoming KIPs and the portal, advising them to submit their applications online well within the deadline on 21 July.
In case of technical difficulties or problems in accessing the portal or using it, specific queries can be addressed to Under Secretary (OIA2) Shri Manoj Kumar, (Tel: 26874247 email: us2oia2@mea.gov.in) with a copy to my office.
http://www.kip.gov.in 
