The University of Madras, situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, offers a wide spectrum of scholarships to support students from diverse backgrounds. Various schemes target merit, financial need, domicile status, and special categories such as sports achievers, single girl children, and wards of defense personnel. Through these initiatives, students can benefit from direct fee waivers, monthly stipends, and endowment awards, enhancing access and inclusivity in higher education.
University of Madras Scholarships Overview
The scholarships offered by the University of Madras aim to reward academic performance, alleviate economic hardship, and encourage holistic development. Typical schemes offer full or partial tuition waivers, fixed cash awards per semester or year, and support for special categories or backgrounds where applicable.
Merit-based waivers (Class 12, entrance exam, or university exam scores)
Need/EWS-based support (family income limits as per central and state criteria)
Category-based schemes (for SC/ST/OBC, domicile, single girl child, sports, defense/paramilitary wards, alumni, and others)
University of Madras Eligibility
Eligibility for scholarships at the University of Madras depends on the specific scheme, but common criteria include minimum academic marks (often above 60-70%), first-attempt passes, and for need-based awards, family annual income typically below INR 2 lakh to 3 lakh. Category-based awards require authentic proof, such as valid community, sports, or defense certificates, and outstanding performers in sports are considered for relevant sports scholarships at the university or state/national level.
University of Madras Required Documents
Applicants need to submit standard documents to verify their eligibility and background for scholarship consideration.
Mark sheets for qualifying exams (Class 12, UG, or PG, as applicable)
Income certificate issued by a competent authority
Category/community certificate (if applicable)
Transfer certificate and proof of domicile (if required)
Relevant certificates for sports, defense, or special categories
University of Madras Application Process
Students generally apply for scholarships during the admission process or within the designated semester window via the university’s official portal or through their affiliated college offices. It is vital to adhere to announced deadlines and ensure submission of all required documentation in the correct format. Late or incomplete applications are typically not considered for evaluation.
University of Madras Scholarship Details
The following table presents a summary of key scholarships administered by the University of Madras for students in Chennai, alongside eligibility criteria and typical benefits. The final award, amount, and duration are subject to document verification and the availability of institutional seats or quotas.
Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Notes (if any) |
Mother M. Celine Scholarship | First-year student in affiliated college; highest Class 12 marks (Tamil Nadu board or equivalent) in first attempt | INR 1,000 per annum | Awarded to top scorer; disbursed once yearly |
Sir Tanjore Madhava Rau Scholarship | First-year UG; Two Hindu students with highest HSE marks, first attempt, from Tamil Nadu | INR 1,400 per annum | Two awards per year |
Madras University Merit Fellowship | Top scorers in university examinations (usually for postgraduate students) | Approx. INR 3,500–3,750 per semester | Merit-based; number of fellowships limited |
Endowment Scholarships (Multiple) | Criteria set by respective endowments (merit, need, category, or a mix) | Typically INR 500–2,000 per annum | Includes Lions Club, Rotary, Lady Willingdon, Krupabai Santhyanathan, Gokhale, etc. |
Government Scholarships (SC/ST/OBC/Minority) | Applicable categories as recognized by state/central government; income and educational criteria as per norms | Fee waivers and maintenance allowance as per government rules | Application via institute for state/central schemes |
University of Madras Additional Notes
Several scholarships require students to maintain a minimum CGPA (often above 6.5–7.0/10) and satisfactory attendance for renewal in subsequent years. Many schemes cannot be combined—a student can generally benefit from only one scholarship at a time unless specifically allowed. Annual quotas apply for most university and endowment-based scholarships, and incomplete or incorrect applications may forfeit the benefit even if other criteria are met.
