Pudhumai Penn Scheme: Eligibility, Benefits, How To Apply Online

The government of Tamil Nadu launched the Pudhumai Penn Scheme on 18th March 2022 to provide financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month to girl students until the completion of their UnderGraduate (UG), diploma, and ITI courses.

Pudhumai Penn Scheme Overview

What is the Pudhumai Penn Scheme?

The Tamil Nadu Government launched the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance scheme to increase the enrollment ratio of girls in higher education institutions. The Pudhumai Penn scheme provides benefits under the Moovalur Ramamirtham Higher Education Assurance Scheme and handles new student registrations.

The Pudhumai Penn scheme provides monetary assistance to girls and young women who have passed out from government and government-aided educational institutions to pursue higher studies. It aims to improve the general well-being of female students and encourages them to continue their higher education. 

Features of Pudhumai Penn Scheme

• The Pudhumai Penn Scheme aims to increase the enrolment of female students and improve the retention ratio of girls in higher education.
• It discourages parents from marrying their daughters at a young age and prevents dropouts beyond higher secondary.
• It envisages empowering girls, specifically those who have graduated from government schools.
• It improves girls’ educational attainment and motivates them to pursue higher education, thereby improving their economic and social spheres and advancing gender parity at higher levels.
• It enables the creation and participation of a skilled women’s workforce.
• The financial assistance provided under the scheme enables girl children to pursue education without incurring additional hindrances and expenses.
• It enhances career opportunities for girl students and enables them to engage in public spaces.
• It ensures the socio-economic empowerment of women.
• The scheme provides a cash incentive to any number of girl students in a family pursuing higher education at a recognised institution, college or university.
• The higher education department will help open a ‘zero balance’ bank account and certify it every six months in a year (30th June and 31st December) on the bona fide status of the girl students who have applied for the scheme.
• A Separate Programme Management Unit (SPMU) for the scheme will be established to monitor its effective implementation.
• Under this scheme, four core banks (Indian Bank, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and SBI) are identified to open bank accounts for students upon furnishing a debit card.

What Are the Benefits of the Pudhumai Penn Scheme? 

• All girls who have studied Classes 6th to 12th in government or government-aided schools will receive ₹1,000 per month until they complete their UG degree, ITI, diploma or any other recognised course.
• The amount of ₹1,000 is disbursed directly to the student’s bank account every month.
• Debit cards were provided to 613 students under this scheme during its initial phase.
• The girl students availing other scholarships are also eligible to enrol in this scheme and receive the monthly amount.

Who is Eligible for the Pudhumai Penn Scheme?

• The applicant must be a citizen living in Tamil Nadu.
• The applicant must be a girl student.
• The applicant must have completed one of the following studies:
  • Passed Classes 6th to 12th from a government or government-aided school 
  • Passed Classes 6th to 8th from a private school under the Right to Education Act (RTE) and passed Classes 9th to 12th from a government school
• The applicant must pursue her UG or professional course in recognised colleges or universities.

Who is Ineligible for Pudhumai Penn Scheme?

• The applicant has passed Classes 6th to 12th from a private school.
• The applicant is pursuing a PostGraduate (PG) course.
• The applicant is studying through distance mode.
• The applicant is studying at an open university.

What Are the Documents Required for Pudhumai Penn Scheme?

• Aadhar card/ voter ID
• Residential proof
• Transfer certificate
• Marksheet or certificate of 12th class
• Bank account statement/ passbook
• Passport-size photograph

How to Apply for Pudhumai Penn Scheme Online?

Step 1: Register on the Penkalvi portal by providing your mobile number and entering the OTP for verification.

Step 2: Enter your personal, contact, and education-related details and click ‘Proceed’.

Step 3: Fill out your school details (from Class 6 to 12) and your bank account details.

Step 4: Upload the documents, preview the application form and click ‘Submit’.

The concerned authorities will verify the application form and documents. If you are selected, you will be notified through SMS at your mobile number.

Eligible Courses Under the Pudhumai Penn Scheme

Girl students studying in any one of the following UG or professional courses are eligible to receive the financial assistance provided under this scheme:

• Bachelor's degree courses, such as:
  • BSc.
  • B.Com.
  • B.A.
  • B.B.A.
  • B.C.A.
• Paramedical courses, such as:
  • Pharmacy
  • Nursing
  • Physiotherapy
  • Medical Lab Technology
• Professional courses, such as:
  • B. Tech.
  • B.E.
  • M.B.B.B.S.
  • B.D.S.
  • B.V.Sc.
  • BSc. (Agriculture)
  • B.F.Sc.
  • B.L.
• Diploma, ITI, or any other recognised course.
• All arts, science and fine arts courses.

Eligible Government Schools for the Pudhumai Penn Scheme

The following schools are considered government schools, and girls who studied in these schools are eligible for the scheme:

• Backward/ Most Backward Welfare Schools
• Panchayat Union Primary and Middle Schools
• Adi Dravidar Welfare Schools
• Tribal Welfare School
• Kallar Reclamation Schools
• Schools run by Municipalities and Municipal Corporations
• Schools run by the Forest and Social Defence Departments
• Schools run by the Department of the Welfare of the Differently Abled

The Pudhumai Penn scheme helps girls in Tamil Nadu to complete their higher education by providing them ₹1,000 per month. It ensures the socio-economic empowerment of women and prevents girls from dropping out of school.