AI SummaryTamil Nadu Chief Minister's Fellowship Programme is a two-year state fellowship for young professionals who want to work inside the Tamil Nadu government and help improve public service delivery. Selected fellows get a monthly stipend of ₹65,000 plus an allowance of ₹10,000, and they are placed with state departments working on real development schemes.
Government of Tamil Nadu launched this scheme in 2022 under the Special Programme Implementation Department, with Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM), Tiruchirapalli, as the academic partner. Latest confirmed batch, TNCMFP 2024-26, started in November 2024. As of August 2026, a new notification for the next two-year cycle is not out yet, so eligible candidates should keep checking the official portals for the next announcement.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Fellowship Programme - Introduction
Fellows under this scheme monitor flagship and priority state schemes, find gaps in service delivery, and give data-based suggestions to fix them. They make field visits to districts, collect feedback, and help departments take follow-up action. This is a temporary position for two years and does not give any claim for a regular government job.
For the 2024-26 batch, a total of twenty-five (25) fellows were selected and attached to departments under twelve thematic areas. These areas cover the main development challenges of the state:
- Augmentation of Water Resources
- Agricultural Production, Productivity, and Creation of Marketing Linkages
- Rural and Urban Housing
- Improving Educational Standards
- Improving Health Indicators
- Social Inclusion
- Infrastructure and Industrial Development
- Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Development
- Institutional Credit
- Youth Welfare
- Ecological Balance and Climate Change
- Data Governance
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Fellowship Programme |
| Level | State |
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Nodal Department | Special Programme Implementation Department |
| Academic Partner | Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Tiruchirapalli |
| Duration | Two years |
| Stipend | ₹65,000 per month |
| Additional Allowance | ₹10,000 per month |
| Latest Batch | TNCMFP 2024-26 |
Benefits
Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend of ₹65,000 for the full two-year term. On top of this, they get an allowance of ₹10,000 every month to cover incidental expenses such as travel, mobile phone, and data usage.
Note: No other financial support is provided under this fellowship.
Eligibility
Candidates must hold a first-class Bachelor's degree in a professional course like Engineering, Medicine, Law, Agriculture, or Veterinary Science. They can also apply with a first-class Master's degree in Arts or Science from a recognized University in India. A Ph.D. degree is preferred, and work experience or research experience gives an added advantage.
Working knowledge of Tamil is mandatory. Candidates who were among the final shortlisted 30 fellows of TNCMFP 2022-24 cannot apply to this programme again.
Age Limits (as of 06.08.2024):
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General | 22 to 30 years |
| SC/ST | Up to 35 years |
| BC/MBC | Up to 33 years |
Application Process
Applications for each batch are accepted only online, and there is no application fee. For the 2024-26 cycle, registration opened on 06 August 2024 and closed on 26 August 2024 through the official portals hosted by the Government of Tamil Nadu (tn.gov.in) and Bharathidasan Institute of Management (bim.edu). Candidates must fill in the form before the deadline, because a submitted form cannot be edited.
STEP 1 - Visit the official portal of the Government of Tamil Nadu or the Bharathidasan Institute of Management and click the TNCMFP registration link.
STEP 2 - Fill in the online application form with personal, educational, and contact details, and upload the required documents.
STEP 3 - Submit the form and note down the application number for future reference. Keep checking the portal for the admit card of the preliminary test.
Selection Process
Selection is purely on merit, following the reservation policy of the Government of Tamil Nadu for admission to academic institutions. The selection journey has three stages:
STAGE 1 - Preliminary Assessment: A computer-based test with objective multiple-choice questions carrying a maximum of 150 points. It covers General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Comprehension with Logical Reasoning. This test is only a screening round and has negative marking of 0.33 for every wrong answer.
STAGE 2 - Comprehensive Examination: A written exam with essay type, case-based, and analytical questions on governance, social justice, technology, economy, environment, disaster management, and Tamil Nadu schemes and policies. It is held in Chennai.
STAGE 3 - Personal Interview: This final round tests intellectual and emotional quotient, knowledge of current affairs, problem-solving skills, and systemic thinking. Working knowledge of Tamil is also tested here. Final merit list is based on the combined score of the Comprehensive Examination and the Personal Interview.
Selected fellows must finish a mandatory 30-day orientation at the Anna Administrative Staff College, Chennai, before joining their departments. On successful completion, fellows get a Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Management, and those with a Master's degree can also join the Ph.D. programme in Public Policy Management in the following year, subject to eligibility.
Documents
Keep these documents ready before starting the online application:
- Valid identity proof such as Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport
- Recent passport size photograph
- Proof of age like birth certificate or class 10 mark sheet
- Degree certificates and mark sheets of all educational qualifications
- Caste certificate in the prescribed format, if applicable
- Proof of current residence and any other documents asked on the portal
References
Government of Tamil Nadu Official Website
FAQ's
What is the primary goal of this fellowship?
The scheme uses the energy of young professionals to improve governance and public service delivery across Tamil Nadu. Fellows monitor state schemes, find gaps, and suggest data-based improvements.
Who manages the implementation of this scheme?
Special Programme Implementation Department is the nodal department, and Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Tiruchirapalli, is the academic partner.
Is there a specific age limit for candidates?
Yes. Age must be between 22 and 30 years for the general category, up to 35 years for SC/ST, and up to 33 years for BC/MBC, as per the 2024-26 notification.
Are there specific language requirements?
Yes. Candidates must have working knowledge of Tamil, and this is tested during the personal interview.
Is there an application fee?
No. There is no application fee for the fellowship selection process, and applications are accepted only in online mode.
What happens after completing the fellowship?
Fellows who finish the two-year term successfully are eligible for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Management. Those with a Master's degree can also enroll in the Ph.D. programme in Public Policy Management in the next year, subject to eligibility.