What is Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship?
Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship 2025 is the flagship program of the Government of Tamil Nadu under the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme, launched by the Government of Tamil Nadu to provide quality UPSC coaching as well as study materials, mentoring and a stipend to a selected number of economically disadvantaged and meritorious students, so they can compete in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination
The Naan Mudhalvan UPSC scholarship was meant to directly bridge the gap between rural talent and opportunities , through the top most civil services in the country , and more importantly, provided an opportunity to students from under-represented groups and marginalized communities, particularly SC/ST, OBC and EWS communities, to be the best prepared to counsel success on arguably the most competitive exams in India. The various coaching institutions and quality of training they provide under this scheme will allow Tamil Nadu to support inclusive educational and empowerment initiatives for youth.
Objective of Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship
The key purpose of Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship 2025 is to provide resources and support for every aspirant and future civil servant from Tamil Nadu, particularly from disadvantaged and economically weaker backgrounds, to help them successfully crack the UPSC Civil Services Exam.
The scheme seeks to reduce financial barriers and provide quality coaching to increase representation of Tamil Nadu in India’s bureaucratic apparatus, support inclusive development, and develop local talent for leadership in India.
Provider: This is a 100% funded scholarship by Government of Tamil Nadu under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme.
Key Features of the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship 2025
Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship is a well-planned support system to enable deserving candidates from Tamil Nadu to prepare for UPSC Civil Services without financial constraints. Below are the main features of this scheme:
Feature | Details |
Scholarship Amount | ₹7,500 per month for10 months (Total: ₹75,000 annually) |
Total Beneficiaries | 1,000 students selected every year based on merit and eligibility |
Application Mode | Online via the official portal:naanmudhalvan.tn.gov.in |
Disbursement Method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student'sbank account |
Selection Process | Scholarship Exam: 150 MCQs, 3-hour duration, conducted inEnglish withno negative marking |
Coaching Support | Access toUPSC coaching materials, mentoring, and academic resources |
Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2025
The Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship set up by the Government of Tamil Nadu intends to assist those aspirants who are serious about preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. To ensure that the scholarship reaches the appropriate candidates, the scheme has clearly stated eligibility requirements concerning their residency, education, and age.
Residency Requirement
Permanent Resident:
- Candidates must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and are required to produce a proof of residence (Ex: nativity certificate or other documents provided by the government to show residency) during the process of application and verification.
Educational Qualification
Minimum Qualification:
- Applicants were required to have studied and earned a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized Indian University or Institution of Higher Education.
- Final-year students, who have completed the examination and await the results, might qualify depending on the eligibility authority.
Age Limit (as of August 1, 2024)
- The age limit varies depending on the category of applicant and level of experience:
For Fresh Candidates (First-Time Applicants)
- Must be 21 years of age.
- Must NOT be 22 years of age as of August 1, 2024.
- The greater age limit is intended to assist young aspirants hoping to begin their preparation into the UPSC scheme early.
Category | Maximum Age Limit |
General (Unreserved) | 32 years |
BC / BC(Muslim) | 35 years |
MBC / DNC | 35 years |
SC / SC(A) / ST | 37 years |
Differently Abled (All Castes) | 42 years |
Category-wise Seat Distribution
The following is the category-wise seat distribution for the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship 2025, including regular and fresher seats based on Tamil Nadu government guidelines for different social groups:
Category | % Reservation | Regular Seats | Fresher Seats | Total |
BC | 26.5 | 252 | 13 | 265 |
BM | 3.5 | 33 | 2 | 35 |
MBC/DNC | 20 | 190 | 10 | 200 |
SC | 15 | 143 | 7 | 150 |
SC(A) | 3 | 28 | 2 | 30 |
ST | 1 | 9 | 1 | 10 |
OC | – | 295 | 15 | 310 |
Total | – | 950 | 50 | 1000 |
Note: 4% of seats are reserved for persons with disabilities within each category
Application Process for Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship
Application Procedure:
- Registration/Login:
- Go to the website: naanmudhalvan.tn.gov.in
- New users must register using a valid email ID and a mobile phone number.
- Returning users may log in directly.
- Fill the Application Form:
- You must fill in the online application form with your details which include the following four areas of information:
- Personal information (name, age, gender etc.)
- Academic qualifications (details of degree, the university)
- Social category and income details
- Each of these areas must be fulfilled correctly so that you do not apply incorrectly and face rejection.
- Upload Documents:
- You will need to scan and upload legible copies of the items listed below:
- Proof of Residence: Either a nativity certificate or Aadhaar card (with Tamil Nadu address).
- Educational Certificates: You may either submit your degree certificate or the mark sheet of your final year.
- Community Certificate: If you are in the category of BC, MBC/DNC, SC, ST, or other reserved categories.
- Income Certificate: To prove that you meet the economic criteria.
- Passport size Photograph and Signature
- Submit Application:
- Once you review all the details and documents, you will need to click the final Submit button to submit your application.
- You should download and print your submitted application if you desire, for your files.
- Attend the Scholarship Examination:
- Once your application is accepted, you will receive your exam details via email or SMS.
- The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQ), you will have to answer 150 questions in 3 hours, the medium of instruction is English and there is no negative marking.
Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship Exam Structure 2025
The Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship Exam is one element of the selection process intended to determine whether the candidate is prepared for UPSC Civil Services Examination coaching. Here is information about the exam structure:
Exam Structure:
- Question Type: Objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Total Number of Questions: 150 questions that will cover subjects suited to UPSC preparation:
- General Studies, Current Affairs and International Relations, Indian Polity, Indian History, Geography, Aptitude, etc.
- Total Time: 3 hours (180 minutes) - enough time to attempt all the questions.
- Language of the Examination: This will be in only English and is consistent with the UPSC exam.
- Negative Marking: There is no negative marking, so you can answer all questions without worrying about
- getting penalised for an incorrect response.
Subjects Typically covered:
While the official syllabus may differ slightly, the content of the scholarship is typically based around the following themes:
- Indian History & Culture
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- General Science & Environment
- Geography (India and the World)
- Economic Issues
- Current events of National and International Importance
- Quantitative Aptitude & Logical reasoning
- English Comprehension
Advantages of Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship 2025
There are many advantages to the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship Scheme that has been designed and implemented by the Government of Tamil Nadu, to support civil service aspirants from socio-economically weaker backgrounds:
Financial Support
- Candidates receive ₹7500 for a period of 10 months as financial support for participating in the scheme.
- Total financial benefit: ₹75,000 (₹7500 / month) can be received by the candidate through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in their personal bank account.
- This financial benefit helps candidates purchase essential materials in preparation for the UPSC, UPSC tests series, and daily lifestyle and travel expenses.
Coaching Benefits
- Candidates will be assigned to a leading UPSC coaching institution to prepare for the UPSC exam.
- Included in the coaching contract, candidates will receive free and/or subsidized coaching, free and/or subsidized coaching materials, mentorship, mock tests, and interview preparation.
- The support through the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship will help to level the playing field for aspirants who come from backgrounds that may not have as much access to preparation resources.
Motivation
- Candidates are financially motivated and able to focus exclusively on UPSC preparation.
- The Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship may encourage increased participation from rural communities and low-income individuals to civil services.
Reservation Categories
- Candidates will be admitted according to the Tamil Due State reservation policies (for SC, ST, MBC, BC, BC(M), and OC) categories, as applicable.
- Encouraging participation across all social groups.
Naan Mudhalvan Scheme: More Than Just Upwards UPSC Preparation
While the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Scholarship is undoubtedly the flagship programme to support Civil Services aspirants, the broader extent of the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme is to empower students across all academic and technical area in Tamil Nadu.
Skill Development for Every Stream
- The scheme covers all students of Engineering, Arts, Science, Polytechnic, ITI, Pharmacy and Medical Sciences.
- Within the scheme, students can avail themselves of individual careers advice, training in their specific field, and soft skill training for the actual job market.
Upskilling & Employability Platform
- Naanmudhalvan.tn.gov.in is a one-stop-skilling solution with real-time information on training programmes, internships and workshops.
- Also includes training modules linked to industry, mock interview preparation, and language development opportunities which enhance employability and career readiness.
Hall Ticket Download
Those registered and who have requested an assessment under the scheme can download their hall ticket for any of the tests conducted under the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme.
The hall ticket will include important information such as:
- Date & time of the test.
- Venue/location of the test centre.
- Instructions for examination day.