Comprehensive Guide to Tamil Nadu Government Scholarships 2025: List, Eligibility, Benefits, and Application Process for Students
Last updated on: September 28, 2025
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Yuvika Rathi
College Student
The Tamil Nadu government has introduced a wide range of scholarships for students in 2025, aiming to make education accessible, foster academic excellence, and reduce financial barriers for learners from marginalized communities and economically weaker sections. These scholarships support students from school to postgraduate level, covering varied needs such as tuition, books, hostel fees, and incentives for achievement.
Scholarship Objectives
- Promote access to quality education for underprivileged groups.
- Reduce dropout rates in schools and colleges due to financial challenges.
- Support first-generation learners and academic progression in rural and backward areas.
- Encourage academic excellence through merit-based rewards.
- Provide financial assistance for key educational expenses.
- Create an inclusive ecosystem by ensuring equitable distribution across communities.
Key Scholarships Issued by Tamil Nadu Government
Below is a detailed list of major scholarship schemes, their eligibility, and unique benefits.
TN Scholarship 2025
- Open to students from school to postgraduate levels.
- Online application process via official websites such as tndce.tn.gov.in.
- Benefits for SC, ST, BC, MBC, DNC, Minorities, Differently-Abled, Orphans, First Graduates.
Post Matric Scholarship Scheme
- For Adi Dravidar students (SC), annual family income ceiling: ₹2.5 lakh.
- Covers academic allowance: up to ₹13,500 per year for hostellers in professional courses.
- Benefits include full fee reimbursement and allowances credited directly to students' bank accounts.
Pre-Matric Scholarships
- For SC students of Classes IX and X, and children of parents in hazardous occupations, with allowances for hostellers and day scholars.
- Income limit up to ₹2.5 lakh for SC students; no income limit for children of those in hazardous occupations.
Higher Education Special Scholarship
- For Adi Dravidar/Tribal students staying in paid hostels, up to ₹8,000 per year for postgraduate and professional degrees.
Overseas Scholarship
- Encourages foreign study for Adi Dravidar, ST, and Christian Adi Dravidar students.
- Annual parental income ≤ ₹8 lakh.
- Up to ₹36 lakh per annum depending on country/course of study.
Incentive for Full-time Ph.D. Scholars
- ₹1,00,000 per annum for Adi Dravidar, ST, and Christian Adi Dravidar students pursuing full-time Ph.D..
State Special Post-Matric Scholarship
- For students not covered under central schemes; full reimbursement of compulsory fees and maintenance allowance.
Tuition Fee Concession
- All Adi Dravidar/Tribal/Christian Adi Dravidar students in government or aided institutions are exempt from tuition fees.
Special Fees and Exam Fee Scholarships
- For undergraduate and postgraduate Adi Dravidar, ST, and Christian Adi Dravidar girl students, all examination and special fees are covered.
Scholarships for Higher Secondary and UG Students
- First Graduate Scholarship: For first-generation learners pursuing engineering through TNEA Govt. Quota.
- Pudhumai Penn Scheme: Exclusive for girls to encourage higher education.
- Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme: For boys entering higher education.
- Merit-cum-Means and Minority Scholarships: Provided at both state and central government levels, supporting minorities and economically weaker sections.
Application Deadlines
| Vidyadhan Plus 1 Scholarship Program | July 15, 2025 |
| BC/MBC/DNC Welfare (Post-Matric) | October 31, 2025 |
| Adi Dravidar & Tribal Welfare | October 15, 2025 |
| Minority Welfare Scholarship | October 31, 2025 |
How to Apply
- Applications are online via portals such as tndce.tn.gov.in and tn.gov.in.
- Students must submit bank account details, income certificates, and academic records.
- Deadlines vary by scheme, so timely application is recommended.
Here is a comprehensive list of Tamil Nadu government scholarships for 2025, along with their respective eligibility criteria:
Major Tamil Nadu Government Scholarships (2025)
| Vidyadhan Tamil Nadu Plus 1 Scholarship Program | Resident of Tamil Nadu; enrolled in Class 11 or 12; scored minimum 80% in SSLC (State Board) or 90%/CGPA 9+ in CBSE; family income less than ₹2 lakh/year. For students with disabilities, minimum 60% marks. |
| First Graduate Scholarship (Engineering – TNEA Govt. Quota) | First-generation college students joining engineering in government quota; specific income limit and other conditions apply. |
| Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/SCC) | SC/ST/SCC (Converted Christians); post-matric students in recognized courses; family income less than ₹2.5 lakh/year. |
| Post Matric Scholarship (BC/MBC/DNC/BCM) | Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities, Backward Class Muslims; studying post-matric courses; usually income ceiling applies. |
| Pudhumai Penn Scheme | Girl students pursuing higher education after school in recognized institutions; income and academic criteria apply |
| Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme | Boys entering higher education after school; specific eligibility rules set by the government. |
| RIMC Dehradun Scholarship | Students of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun |
| Deceased Government Servants Scholarship | Children of government servants who died in harness, up to UG; other special terms apply |
| EVR Nagammai Scholarship | Girl students pursuing PG degree in Arts/Science; studying in recognized college in Tamil Nadu |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS) | 60% and above in HSC; 1st year UG students in recognized institution |
| PhD Scholarship | Full-time PhD students in govt/aided colleges in Arts/Science; PG with 60% marks; not receiving other scholarships |
| Thanthai Periyar Memorial Award | Top 2 boys/top 2 girls in each district, BC/MBC/DNC students, Polytechnic diploma after Class 10; application through district welfare office |
| Perarignar Anna Memorial Award | Top 2 boys/top 2 girls in each district scoring highest marks in Class 12, BC/MBC/DNC students, pursuing professional degree |
| Incentive Scheme for Rural MBC/DNC Girl Students | MBC/DNC girls in classes 3-5 (₹500/year) and class 6 (₹1,000); family income below ₹25,000; from rural areas |
| Scholarship for Differently Abled Students | Differently abled students from Class 9 upwards; minimum 40% marks in previous exam; open to all vocational/professional/medical/engineering courses |
| Free Education for SC/ST Students | SC/ST students; Chief Minister’s Merit Award for top scorers in Plus 2 exams, up to five years, subject to continued education |
| Overseas Scholarship for SC/ST/Adi Dravidar/Tribal Students | SC/ST/Adi Dravidar/Tribal; annual income and merit conditions; supports foreign studies |
Notes
- Most scholarships require Tamil Nadu domicile and supporting documents like community/income certificates.
- Applications are generally submitted online or through specific government departments or welfare offices depending on the scheme.
- Some scholarships may have changing criteria or deadlines, so checking the latest updates on official portals is recommended.
This list includes a mix of merit-based, means-based, and category-specific scholarships supporting school, college, and professional education in Tamil Nadu for 2025.
Conclusion
Tamil Nadu’s scholarship ecosystem in 2025 provides comprehensive support for a wide demographic—school children, college students, postgraduate aspirants, and Ph.D. scholars—helping each realize their potential despite financial constraints. This ensures educational equity and boosts gross enrollment ratios in higher education across the state.
To read more click here-
- https://www.buddy4study.com/article/tn-scholarship
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/15-govt-scholarships-after-12th-tamilnadu-students-ashok-kumar-dlzxc
- https://www.tnadw.in/scholarship
- https://tndce.tn.gov.in/Home/scholarship
- http://scholarships.gov.in
- https://www.buddy4study.com/scholarships/tamil-nadu
- https://www.vidyadhan.org/apply
- https://dte.tn.gov.in/post-matric-scholarship
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1rmZqX9bwI
- https://theglobalscholarship.org/internships/tamil-nadu-foundation-scholarship-2025
