The Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship Scheme is a Tamil Nadu state scholarship for students who want to study abroad. The Government of Tamil Nadu, Directorate of Adi Dravidar Welfare, Social Justice Department runs it, and its own portal calls it the Overseas Scholarship. Students from the SC, ST and Adi Dravidar Christian convert groups who live in Tamil Nadu can apply.
The scholarship pays up to Rs. 36 lakh. The amount depends on family income. The 2026-27 application window has closed, and the portal shows that new registration is closed. The official sources do not give the next window’s dates.
What you get
Your family’s income slab decides how much support you get.
| Annual family income | Maximum support |
|---|---|
| Up to Rs. 8,00,000 (income slab 1) | Rs. 36 lakh |
| Rs. 8,00,001 to Rs. 12,00,000 (income slab 2) | Rs. 24 lakh |
The portal lists these costs as covered: tuition fees, living costs, visa charges, medical insurance, economy-class airfare and an equipment allowance. The portal also says that eligibility and sanction follow the scheme guidelines, and that the government orders set the applicable terms.
Who can apply
- You must belong to one of three groups: SC, ST, or Adi Dravidar Christian convert. The portal addresses these groups as students pursuing higher education abroad.
- The study level must be a Master’s, a PhD or post-doctoral study. The portal lists Master’s degree, PhD degree and post-doctoral degree as the eligible levels.
- You must apply before you leave for your course. Students who are already studying abroad on a scholarship from the Government of India, a state government, another agency, an education loan or personal funds are not eligible (G.O. (Ms) No. 23, dated 12 March 2026).
- 10% of the seats are reserved for ST candidates. Unfilled ST seats go to SC and SCC candidates (G.O. (Ms) No. 23).
- Transgender candidates and persons with disabilities get priority, as per existing government norms (G.O. (Ms) No. 23).
- The official pages I could read do not give a minimum mark, an age limit, a list of courses or a university cut-off. Read the guidelines on the portal before you apply.
How to apply
- Open the official portal at tnadwscholarship.in.
- New applicants register with a name, email address and phone number. The OTP verification sends a code to your email.
- Applications come in one online window each year. The window for 2026-27 opened in April-May 2026 and has closed.
The official pages I read do not describe the form’s fields or each step after registration. Check the student user manual linked from the portal.
Documents you need
The official pages I read do not list the documents. The portal links a student user manual and the government orders, so check both before you apply.
How students are selected
- Applicants are shortlisted by the QS World University Ranking of the university that admitted them. Higher-ranked universities get higher priority (G.O. (Ms) No. 23).
- If two candidates are admitted to the same university, their marks decide the order: PG or UG marks first, then Class 12, then Class 10 (G.O. (Ms) No. 23).
Renewal
The official sources I read do not publish renewal rules. The G.O. says the application process runs once in a year.
Important dates
- 2026-27 application window: a single online window in April-May 2026, as set by G.O. (Ms) No. 23 dated 12 March 2026. It has closed.
- Selection list: finalised by mid-July 2026.
- Joining: the primary international intake, generally August-September 2026.
- Next window: the official sources I read do not give a date.
Official sources
Checked against these official sources on 5 November 2026.
