Tamil Nadu Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam

Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 is a competitive screening examination conducted by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) to identify deserving UPSC aspirants. Under this programme, 1,000 selected candidates receive a monthly scholarship of ₹7,500 for 10 months, along with government-supported coaching, to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027. Eligible graduates can apply online through the official TNSDC portal before 03 August 2026. The screening examination is scheduled to be held on 06 September 2026.

Introduction of Tamil Nadu Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam: A Brief Insight

The Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 is a competitive screening examination conducted by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) under the Government of Tamil Nadu’s Naan Mudhalvan initiative. The examination identifies deserving graduates and provides them with financial assistance and professional coaching to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027.

The primary objective of this initiative is to encourage talented graduates from Tamil Nadu to pursue careers in the Civil Services by reducing the financial burden of UPSC preparation and providing access to quality coaching through government-supported institutions.

The Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC), in association with the All India Civil Services Coaching Centre (AICSCC), conducts the screening examination and manages the scholarship programme. Every year, eligible candidates compete through a common entrance examination, and the top 1,000 candidates are selected based on merit and the reservation policy of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Selected candidates receive a monthly scholarship of ₹7,500 for a period of 10 months. They are also admitted to the All India Civil Services Coaching Centre, Chennai, or the Anna Centenary Civil Services Coaching Academies at Coimbatore and Madurai without appearing for a separate entrance examination. Candidates admitted under the residential coaching programme are additionally provided free boarding and lodging facilities.

To apply for the scholarship examination, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, satisfy the prescribed age limit applicable to their category, and should not be employed in any Central Government or State Government service. As per the official notification, a candidate can receive the scholarship only up to two times during the preceding three years.

Applications are accepted online through the official TNSDC registration portal. For the 2026 admission cycle, the last date to submit the online application is 03 August 2026, while the screening examination is scheduled to be conducted on 06 September 2026 across examination centres in all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu.

Candidates who qualify through this examination and fulfil the prescribed conditions become eligible to receive the scholarship and coaching support. After selection, they must also apply for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027 and submit the required proof to TNSDC before the monthly scholarship is released.

Aspirants preparing for higher stages of the Civil Services Examination can also explore the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Mains Scholarship Programme, which provides financial assistance for Mains preparation.

Readers can also browse our collection of Tamil Nadu Government Welfare Schemes to explore more education, skill development, scholarship, and employment-related initiatives.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 helps deserving graduates prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination by providing financial assistance and access to high-quality coaching facilities. Based on the screening test, the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation selects 1,000 candidates to receive the following benefits:

• A monthly scholarship of ₹7,500 for 10 months to support preparation for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027.
• Admission to the All India Civil Services Coaching Centre (AICSCC), Chennai, or the Anna Centenary Civil Services Coaching Academies at Coimbatore and Madurai without appearing for a separate entrance examination.
• Free boarding and lodging facilities for candidates selected under the full-time residential coaching programme.
• Part-time coaching with evening and weekend classes for candidates opting for the non-residential coaching programme.
• Selection of beneficiaries based on the screening test merit list and the reservation policy prescribed by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

Candidates must satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions to appear for the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026. Before submitting the online application, applicants should ensure that they meet all the requirements specified in the official notification.

• The applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree from a university recognised in India.
• The applicant must have attained the age of 21 years as on 01 August 2027.
• The maximum age limit is 37 years for candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and SC(A) categories, and 47 years for differently-abled candidates in these categories.
• The maximum age limit is 35 years for candidates belonging to the BC, BC(M), MBC, and DNC categories, and 45 years for differently-abled candidates in these categories.
• The maximum age limit is 32 years for General category candidates and 42 years for differently-abled candidates in the General category.
• The applicant must not be employed in any Central Government or State Government service at the time of applying.
• The applicant must not have availed the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship more than two times during the preceding three years.

Documents Required to be Attached

Applicants should keep the prescribed supporting documents ready while applying for the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026. Selected candidates may also be required to submit additional documents before the monthly scholarship amount is released. Based on the official notification, the commonly required documents include:

• Degree certificate or provisional degree certificate issued by a recognised university.
• Age proof, such as a birth certificate, SSLC certificate, or school transfer certificate.
• Applicant Aadhaar Card.
• Valid community certificate, wherever applicable, for candidates claiming age relaxation under the SC, ST, SC(A), BC, BCM, MBC, or DNC categories.
• Valid disability certificate, wherever applicable, for differently-abled candidates claiming the applicable age relaxation.
• Recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format for online registration.
• Proof of registration or application for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027, to be submitted by selected candidates before the scholarship is released, as specified in the official guidelines.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

The application process for the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 is conducted entirely online through the official portal of the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC). Eligible graduates must complete the registration within the prescribed deadline, appear for the screening examination, and fulfil the post-selection requirements to receive the scholarship.

Step 1: Visit the official Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Registration Portal and complete the online registration using the required personal and educational details.

Step 2: Fill in the application form carefully by providing details such as your name, date of birth, category, educational qualification, and other required information. Select any one of the available examination centres across the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu.

Step 3: Review all the information entered in the application form and submit it on or before 03 August 2026. Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

Step 4: Download the hall ticket once it is released by TNSDC, tentatively during the third week of August 2026, and verify the examination centre and other details mentioned on it.

Step 5: Appear for the screening examination on 06 September 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the allotted examination centre. Candidates must bear their own travel and other incidental expenses.

Step 6: After the declaration of results, the top 1,000 selected candidates must apply for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027 and submit the prescribed proof to TNSDC. The monthly scholarship of ₹7,500 for 10 months will be released only after the required conditions specified in the official notification are fulfilled.

Note: Candidates should regularly visit the official TNSDC portal for updates regarding the hall ticket, examination schedule, result, document verification, and scholarship disbursement. Any change in dates or procedures will be notified only through the official website.

Syllabus for the Screening Test

The Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 is designed on the pattern of the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. The screening test broadly covers General Studies and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) to assess the candidate’s knowledge and aptitude.

• Current events of national and international importance.
• History of India and the Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography, including physical, social, and economic geography.
• Indian Polity and Governance, covering the Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, and rights-related issues.
• Economic and Social Development, including sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, and social sector initiatives.
• General issues relating to Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change.
• General Science.
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
• General mental ability.
• Basic numeracy and data interpretation under the CSAT section.

Exam Pattern and Coaching Schedule

The Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 is conducted in an objective, OMR-based format based on the pattern of the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. The examination evaluates candidates through General Studies and CSAT questions as per the details below.

• The screening examination consists of 100 objective-type questions, including 90 General Studies questions and 10 CSAT questions.
• Each question carries 2 marks, making the total examination 200 marks.
• The duration of the examination is 2 hours.
• A penalty of one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every incorrect answer.
• The question paper is available only in English.

Candidates selected through the screening examination are admitted to the coaching programme conducted by the All India Civil Services Coaching Centre or the Anna Centenary Civil Services Coaching Academies. The coaching schedule varies depending on the programme selected.

• Full-time Residential Programme: Classes are conducted from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays.
• Part-time Non-residential Programme: Classes are conducted from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Free boarding and lodging facilities are provided only to candidates admitted under the full-time residential programme.

Important Links Available

Candidates can use the following official links to access the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 portal, download the official notification, and obtain the latest updates issued by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC).

Note: Candidates should use only the official TNSDC website and application portal for registration, downloading the notification, and checking future announcements related to the scholarship examination.

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

Candidates facing any difficulty during the application process or seeking clarification regarding the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 may contact the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation using the details provided below.

• Office: Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC)
• Helpline Numbers: 9043710214, 9043710211
• Email: upscgrievances@tnsdc.in
• Official Website: https://skilldevelopment.tn.gov.in

Note: Before contacting TNSDC, candidates should keep their application details readily available. They should also check the official website regularly, as important announcements regarding the examination, results, and scholarship disbursement are published there.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026?

Ans. It is a screening examination conducted by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) to select 1,000 eligible candidates for financial assistance and coaching to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027.

Q. Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship examination?

Ans. Graduates from recognised universities who satisfy the prescribed age limit and other eligibility conditions mentioned in the official notification can apply.

Q. How much financial assistance is provided under the scholarship?

Ans. Selected candidates receive a monthly scholarship of ₹7,500 for 10 months, subject to fulfilment of the conditions specified by TNSDC.

Q. What is the last date to apply for the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026?

Ans. The last date to submit the online application is 03 August 2026.

Q. When will the screening examination be conducted?

Ans. The examination is scheduled to be held on 06 September 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Q. What is the examination pattern of the screening test?

Ans. The examination is conducted in OMR mode with 100 objective-type questions carrying a total of 200 marks. It includes 90 General Studies questions and 10 CSAT questions, with one-third negative marking for every incorrect answer.

Q. Can a candidate receive this scholarship more than once?

Ans. Yes. However, a candidate can receive the scholarship only up to two times during the preceding three years, subject to the conditions prescribed in the official notification.

Q. Are government employees eligible to apply?

Ans. No. Candidates employed in any Central Government or State Government service are not eligible to apply.

Q. Do selected candidates receive coaching along with the scholarship?

Ans. Yes. Selected candidates are admitted to the All India Civil Services Coaching Centre (Chennai) or the Anna Centenary Civil Services Coaching Academies at Coimbatore and Madurai without appearing for a separate entrance examination.

Q. Is hostel accommodation available for selected candidates?

Ans. Yes. Candidates selected under the full-time residential coaching programme receive free boarding and lodging. This facility is not available for candidates opting for the part-time coaching programme.

Q. In how many districts will the examination be conducted?

Ans. The screening examination will be conducted at examination centres located across all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu.

Q. How can candidates apply for the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026?

Ans. Eligible candidates must submit their application online through the official TNSDC registration portal before the prescribed deadline.

Q. How can candidates contact TNSDC for assistance?

Ans. Candidates may contact the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation by calling 9043710214 or 9043710211, or by emailing upscgrievances@tnsdc.in.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.