Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has launched a new overseas scholarship scheme for Muslim students, three years after the Union government discontinued the Padho Pardesh programme. The scheme will support 10 students annually with financial aid of up to ₹36 lakh each to pursue higher education abroad.
According to the government order issued in September, the scholarship will apply to students admitted to institutions ranked within the top 250 of the Global QS rankings. The programme, to be implemented through the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board on a pilot basis, will cover postgraduate studies in fields such as engineering, medicine, science, agriculture, economics, commerce, humanities, law, and fine arts.
Applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria. The total family income should not exceed ₹8 lakh per year. Candidates must be under 30 years of age on April 1 of the selection year and should have secured at least 60 percent marks or equivalent grades in their qualifying degree. They are also required to obtain an unconditional offer of admission from an eligible institution.
The state has sanctioned ₹3.60 crore for 2025-26 to run the scheme. The financial assistance will include tuition fees, living expenses, visa charges, medical insurance, and airfare. The scholarship will be disbursed in four instalments.
A State-level selection committee will review applications and ensure transparency in the process. Officials said the initiative aims to create opportunities for students from the Muslim community to access world-class education and contribute to social and economic development.
