Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL) was conceived and incorporated as a Public Sector enterprise by the Government of India in 1981, under the Ministry of Education and Culture (reconstituted as the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 1985). Recently the company has adopted new logo and is known as Ed.CIL (India) Limited with effect from 30-01-2009, offers consultancy and technical services in different areas of Education and Human Resource Development not only within the country but also on a global basis.

Ed.CIL's performance has been rated as excellent by the Department of Public Enterprises for 4 years during the last one decade. Ed.CIL has also been awarded the Prime Minister's Award of Excellence for the year 1998-99 and is categorised as a 'Mini Ratna Organisation' by the Government of India.

The Government of India has designated Education Consultants of (Ed.CIL - www.edcil.co.in/) as the Single Window agency to facilitate the admission of children of Indian Diaspora and foreign students. Ed. CIL provides foreign students a comprehensive package of services that include :

• Providing required information to the students about Indian education
• Identifying appropriate courses/institutions which meet the student's needs
• Forwarding the application to a choice of institutes and following it till the receipt of provisional admission letters
• Obtaining necessary statutory approvals from concerned ministries
• Sending the provisional admission letters to the students
• Facilitating pre-departure and visa formalities
• Receiving the students in groups of 5 or more, on arrival in India
• Arranging for preparatory courses if required
• Disbursing institutional/student cost
• Acting as a local guardian

ICCR Scholarship

The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India offers ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarships to the students all over the world. ICCR covers 60 scholarships under its umbrella, offered for undergraduate and post graduate Programmes in Performing and Visual Arts. Subjects include Indian Classical Music, Dance, Painting and Sculpture.

Application Procedure

Offer of scholarships are sent to the respective Governments through Indian diplomatic missions abroad. Nominations are received from the respective Governments in the Indian diplomatic missions concerned. These are forwarded to ICCR for final selection and placement. Direct applications from candidates cannot be considered by ICCR. International government nominees have to fill prescribed forms for Scholarships for Foreign Nationals that are available with Indian missions abroad. While filling in the forms, the candidate must specify the course he wishes to pursue such as :

1. Certificate/diploma
2. Undergraduate degree
3. Postgraduate degree
4. Doctoral research work only

Candidates are also advised to consult the Handbook of Indian Universities available with Indian missions abroad to ensure the availability of their choice of a course in India. The application forms should include the required number of copies of educational certificates along with three copies of passport-size photographs. In some cases, a no objection certificate from the candidate's employer or place of work is also required.

ICCR offers the following facilities to the scholars :

• Living allowance
• Contingent Grant
• Tuition Fees
• Thesis and dissertation charges
• Medical benefits
• Study Tour Expenses