Adi Dravidar Scholarship
Upto 36 Lakhs to Study Abroad
for Tamil Nadu Students
What is the Adi Dravidar Scholarship?
The Adi Dravidar Scholarship is a government-funded financial aid program specifically designed to support students from the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Scheduled Caste Converted to Christianity communities in Tamil Nadu. This initiative aims to reduce financial barriers and promote higher education by providing scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, travel, and other academic-related costs.
The scholarship ensures that deserving students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds can pursue higher studies in India and abroad, especially in top-ranked universities, without financial stress.
It is part of the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department's broader goal to empower students from marginalized communities through quality education. The program has helped thousands of students achieve their academic dreams since its inception, with special provisions for both domestic and international education opportunities.
Who Provides the Adi Dravidar Scholarship?
The Adi Dravidar Scholarship is provided by the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, under the guidance and funding of the Government of Tamil Nadu and, in certain cases, Government of India.
Some scholarships are also jointly funded by Central Sector Schemes and may include financial support from external funding bodies such as the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, or international government collaborations when applicable.
Who is Eligible for the Scholarship?
The Adi Dravidar Scholarship is strictly meant for students belonging to:
- Scheduled Caste (SC)
- Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- Scheduled Caste Converted to Christianity (SCC)
Eligibility is based on both community certificate and family income, which must be certified by the competent authorities.
Eligibility Criteria (Domestic and Abroad)
To apply for the Adi Dravidar Scholarship, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
✅ General Eligibility:
- The applicant must be a native of Tamil Nadu.
- The student should belong to the SC, ST, or SCC community.
- The family's annual income should not exceed:
- ₹2.5 Lakhs for Post Matric Scholarships.
- ₹6 Lakhs for scholarships supporting higher education abroad.
✅ Educational Qualification:
- Must have completed 10th or 12th standard (as applicable) from a recognized board.
- For postgraduate or doctoral-level scholarships, the student should have a valid undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
- For study abroad programs, admission to a recognized foreign university in eligible countries is mandatory.
✅ Academic Performance:
- The applicant must have scored at least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination.
- Consistent academic performance without major gaps is preferred.
Benefits of Adi Dravidar Scholarship
This scholarship provides comprehensive financial support that includes:
Tuition Fee Coverage
Full reimbursement of tuition fees for students pursuing education in government, government-aided, or recognized private institutions in India and abroad.
Hostel and Accommodation Charges
Monthly hostel charges up to ₹7,000 – ₹10,000 depending on location and type of institution.
Additional maintenance allowance may be provided to cover food and daily living expenses.
Books and Stationery Allowance
One-time book allowance ranging from ₹1,200 to ₹7,500 depending on the course and level of study.
Travel Grant (For Foreign Studies)
Airfare to and from the foreign destination (economy class).
Visa fees, insurance costs, and local travel assistance included.
Research and Thesis Grant
Applicable for postgraduate and doctoral students for funding thesis work, lab materials, or field visits.
Countries Covered Under the Adi Dravidar Overseas Scholarship
Tamil Nadu Government supports students who secure admission to world-renowned universities across the following countries:
United States of America (USA)
United Kingdom (UK)
Canada
Australia
Germany
New Zealand
Singapore
Sweden
France
Ireland
The universities must be top 500 ranked institutions as per global rankings such as QS, THE, or ARWU.
Courses Covered
The scholarship primarily covers:
Postgraduate (PG) Programs
MA, MSc, MBA, MTech, MS, etc.
Doctoral (Ph.D.) Programs
Research-based doctoral studies
Professional Courses
Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture, etc.
Higher Technical and Management Studies Abroad
Advanced specialized programs
Preference is given to disciplines that offer better career opportunities and socio-economic mobility such as:
How and Where to Apply?
Visit www.tn.gov.in and navigate to Welfare Schemes → Adi Dravidar Scholarships
Choose the appropriate scheme (Domestic / Overseas)
Register with Aadhaar number and upload necessary documents:
- Community Certificate
- Income Certificate
- Educational Certificates
- Admission Letter (if studying abroad)
- Bank Passbook
Submit the application and track its status online
Offline Assistance
For offline assistance, students can contact their respective District Adi Dravidar Welfare Offices.
How Vibedu Helps You?
At Vibedu, we understand that accessing scholarships like the Adi Dravidar Scheme can be overwhelming. Our expert counselors assist you with:
Identifying eligible foreign universities
We match you with top-ranked institutions that qualify for the scholarship
Course selection
Personalized guidance based on your career goals and market trends
Document preparation
Help compiling and verifying all required scholarship documents
SOP & LOR support
Professional assistance crafting compelling application materials
Visa assistance
Guidance through the entire visa application process
Application guidance
Step-by-step support through the scholarship application
We ensure that every eligible student gets the maximum financial benefit through this life-changing scholarship.
Documents Required
Frequently Asked Questions
The scholarship is exclusively for students belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Scheduled Caste Converted to Christianity (SCC) communities who are native residents of Tamil Nadu. Applicants must also meet the income and academic criteria set by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department.
No. The Adi Dravidar Scholarship is reserved specifically for SC, ST, and SCC community students. General category or OBC students are not eligible under this scheme. However, they may explore other central and state-level scholarships available for their categories.
No. This scholarship is strictly for domicile students of Tamil Nadu. Even if you belong to the SC/ST community, you must provide valid proof of residency in Tamil Nadu (such as a Nativity Certificate) to be eligible.
For students pursuing higher studies abroad, the Tamil Nadu government provides up to ₹36 Lakhs to cover tuition fees, airfare, living expenses, visa fees, insurance, and other academic costs. For students studying in India, full tuition, hostel fees, and other allowances are reimbursed as per government norms.
The scholarship covers a wide range of postgraduate, doctoral, and professional programs. Popular courses include Engineering, Medicine, Law, Public Policy, Business Administration, Data Science, and more. The course must be recognized by the relevant authority or university.
Yes. Eligible SC/ST students from Tamil Nadu who have secured admission to top-ranked international universities (QS/Times/ARWU top 500) can apply for funding under the Overseas Scholarship Scheme, with a grant of up to ₹36 Lakhs.
Yes. The annual family income of the applicant should not exceed:
₹2.5 Lakhs for domestic Post-Matric Scholarships.
₹6 Lakhs for Overseas Scholarships.
Income certificates issued by the competent revenue authority must be submitted during the application.
Applicants need to submit the following:
- Community Certificate (SC/ST/SCC)
- Income Certificate
- Educational Mark Sheets
- Admission Letter (for foreign universities)
- Nativity Certificate (Tamil Nadu)
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank Passbook (student's name)
- Passport and Visa (for overseas applicants)
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
You can apply online through the official portal of the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department. The application involves registration, document upload, and submission. For assistance, students can also contact district welfare offices or reach out to Vibedu's scholarship experts.
The application window generally opens once or twice a year, depending on the scheme (domestic or overseas). It is advisable to regularly check the official website or follow Vibedu updates for the latest deadlines and announcements.
The Adi Dravidar Scholarship is a beacon of opportunity for talented and ambitious students from Tamil Nadu's marginalized communities. With complete financial support and a wide range of covered universities and countries, it enables dreams to transform into global success stories.
If you're eligible, don't let financial hurdles block your future. Let Vibedu guide you in securing the Adi Dravidar Scholarship and stepping into a brighter academic and professional future.
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