Government Scholarship · Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Professional

Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme

Q: What is the family income limit to be eligible for the Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme?

While the Chief Minister's Merit Award itself does not explicitly state a separate income limit as it is merit-based for toppers, other related Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Post-Matric Scholarships often have a family annual income limit of ₹2.5 lakh. It is advisable to check the specific guidelines for the application year.

Q: How do students know if they are considered 'toppers' for this scholarship?

The scholarship is awarded to 1,000 boys and 1,000 girls who secure the highest marks in the Class 12 Public Examination within the Adi Dravidar, Tribal, and Adi Dravidar converted to Christianity communities. For instance, in a past year, cut-off marks like 1069/1200 for boys and 1082/1200 for girls in HSC were cited for a specific district, indicating the high academic achievement required.

Q: Can I apply for this scholarship if I am pursuing a professional course?

Yes, the Chief Minister's Merit Award is intended to support meritorious students in continuing their higher education journey, including undergraduate or equivalent courses. The award is for students pursuing higher studies after Class 12.

Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu · Tamil Nadu

Annual Award₹3k+

Deadline30 Nov

Scheme Name	Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme
Provided By	Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
Eligibility Summary	Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income)

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About the Program

Detailed guide to the Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme in Tamil Nadu. Learn about eligibility criteria, selection of top 2,000 SC/ST students, and renewal details.

Benefits & Financial Support

₹3k+

Selected students receive an annual scholarship of INR 3,000. The scholarship amount is disbursed directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

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Financial grant of ₹3,000 per year.
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Renewable for a maximum duration of 5 years to cover undergraduate or integrated courses.

Note: No income ceiling applies for this scholarship. It is awarded purely on academic merit.

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Education Level	Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Professional
Course / Stream	All Streams
Income Limit	No income bar
Category / Caste	SC, ST, SCA, SCC
Domicile State	Tamil Nadu

Mandatory Documents Checklist

✓* Class 12 Marksheet (Plus Two Public Exam marks)
✓* Community Certificate
✓* Aadhaar Card
✓* Bank Account Passbook
✓* College Admission Proof

Selection Process

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Candidates are selected based on academic merit, specifically as toppers in the Class 12 Public Examination from the Adi Dravidar, Tribal, and Adi Dravidar converted to Christianity communities
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The scholarship is awarded to 1,000 boys and 1,000 girls annually.

Renewal Policy

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The scholarship is awarded for a period of five years, provided the student continues their education without interruption in higher studies (UG or equivalent courses)
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Annual renewal requires submission of the latest marksheet and continuation of studies.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

1
Visit the Official Portal
Access the Tamil Nadu State Scholarship Portal (ssp.tn.gov.in) or the University Management Information System (umis.tn.gov.in) which is used for Adi Dravidar and Tribal scholarships.
2
New Registration
If you are a new applicant, complete the 'New Registration' process. This typically involves entering your Aadhaar number, community certificate details, and verifying with a mobile OTP.
3
Login
After successful registration, log in to the portal using your credentials.
4
Select Scholarship Scheme
Choose the relevant scholarship scheme, such as 'Adi Dravidar Post-Matric Scholarship' or 'ST Post-Matric Scholarship', under which the Chief Minister's Merit Scholarship may be processed.
5
Fill Application Form
Accurately fill in all personal details, family income information, and course details.
6
Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of all required documents, including your community certificate, income certificate, Class 12 marksheet (showing topper status), bonafide certificate from the institution, fee receipt, and Aadhaar-linked bank passbook.
7
Submit Application
Submit the completed application form online.
8
Institutional Verification
Your application will then be verified online by your institution's Principal.
9
Departmental Sanction
The District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer (DADWO) will review and sanction the scholarship.
10
Track Status
You can track the status of your application on the official scholarship portal. Scholarship amounts are usually credited within 60-90 days of sanction. Note: For renewal, students must apply annually with their latest marksheet.

Common Questions (FAQs)

What is the family income limit to be eligible for the Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme?

While the Chief Minister's Merit Award itself does not explicitly state a separate income limit as it is merit-based for toppers, other related Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Post-Matric Scholarships often have a family annual income limit of ₹2.5 lakh. It is advisable to check the specific guidelines for the application year.

For Undergraduate In Tamil Nadu For SC Income coverage Government listings

Legal Disclaimer

IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu website before final submission.