In a major move to boost global education opportunities, the Tamil Nadu government has launched a new overseas scholarship program specifically for students from the Muslim community. The initiative promises to offer significant financial support for those dreaming of pursuing a postgraduate degree abroad.
Each year, ten deserving students will be chosen for the scholarship. They will receive up to Rs 36 lakh per year to cover their expenses, which is a substantial amount aimed at making international education accessible.
The state’s Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department has given the scheme a green light, with an initial fund of Rs 3.60 crore already sanctioned for the financial year 2025-26. The program will be managed and implemented through the Waqf Board.
This new scholarship is seen as a crucial step to fill the gap left after the central government’s ‘Padho Pardesh’ scheme—which offered subsidized education loans for studies abroad—was discontinued in 2022. With few other financial options available, this initiative is designed to uplift the educational and economic status of the Muslim community in Tamil Nadu.
The scholarship will cover all major costs of studying overseas, including university tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other necessary academic expenditures. The goal is not just to help students get a world-class education but also to ensure they return with valuable skills and global exposure that can contribute to the state’s growth and development.
Officials stated that the program aims to empower meritorious students from minority communities, giving them a chance to study at top foreign universities and improve their career prospects. For many talented students in Tamil Nadu, this scholarship could be the key to unlocking a world of opportunities.
