The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was instituted by a decision of the Indian Cabinet on 15 September 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India. The ITEC Programme, born out of the vision of our first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, was formally launched under the premiership of Lal Bahadur Shastri. The decision regarding setting up the ITEC programme was predicated on the underlying belief that "it was necessary to establish relations of mutual concern and inter-dependence based not only on commonly held ideals and aspirations, but also on solid economic foundations. Technical and economic cooperation was considered to be one of the essential functions of an integrated and imaginative foreign policy."
The ITEC/SCAAP Programme has the following components:
Training (civilian and defence) in India of nominees from ITEC partner countries; Projects and project related activities such as feasibility studies and consultancy services; Deputation of Indian experts abroad; Study Tours; Gifts/Donations of equipment at the request of ITEC partner countries; and Aid for Disaster Relief . How to Apply Applicants are required to submit the prescribed ITEC/SCAAP Form to the nodal/designated Government Department/Agency of candidate’s country. Nodal/designated Department/Agency is, in turn, required to forward the applications to the Embassy/High Commission of India, accredited/concurrently accredited to the nominating country. Candidates are required to fill in the Application Form carefully and not leave any column incomplete/blank or furnish incorrect information. Undertaking by candidate and certification from employer (Part-II of Application Form), are mandatory.