A total of 24 people will be chosen to do research in 12 different areas

The state government has given directives for the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Fellowship Programme (TNCMFP) to be implemented between 2022 and 2024 for 5.66 crores. 

While 24 people would receive fellowships to conduct research in 12 identified thematic areas (two fellows for each area) to create synergies in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation by grouping the various departments and schemes, another six people would work in the Special Programme Implementation Department’s Monitoring Cell. 

The research will be conducted in 12 areas to:  

1) improve water resources, 2) increase agricultural production and create marketing links, 3) provide housing for all, 4) improve educational standards, 5) improve health indicators, 6) achieve social inclusion, 7) upgrade infrastructure and facilitate industrial development, 8) provide skill development and entrepreneurship development, 9) facilitate institutional credit, 10) protect heritage and culture, and 11) achieve ecological balance. 

The major responsibility of the selected Fellows will be to monitor, identify issues, and assist data-driven decision-making in the assigned programmes to close gaps and improve service delivery.

They must travel to districts to assess the situation on the ground, obtain input, and aid in the implementation of relevant follow-up actions. 

They will get a monthly compensation of $50,000 a piece, plus a $10,000 stipend to cover their incidental expenditures. 

“Appropriately placed under the Chief Minister’s Office/departments concerned,”

a G.O. stated,

“the Fellows will monitor, identify concerns, and assist in decision making in respect of the assigned programmes to address gaps and optimise qualitative delivery of services.” 

The goal of the TNCMFP is to generate a pool of educated and action-oriented resources to work on policy efficacy, identify gaps, and develop internationally referenced policy and programme results benchmarks.

It also attempts to build a “programme structure,” as well as design and implement a monitoring and evaluation framework and develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for service delivery. 

The academic partner for the fellowships has been recommended as Bharathidasan Institute of Management in Tiruchi, which is a not-for-profit society registered under the Societies Registration Act. In this case, BIM will need to sign a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding. 

The state government also issued directives to provide financial support of Rs 41.75 lakh for the fiscal year 2021-2022.

The Fellows would be chosen in three stages: preliminary evaluation (internet-based test), thorough examination (written examination), and personal interview. 

A candidate must have received a first-class bachelor’s degree in professional courses (engineering, medicine, law, agriculture, and veterinary science) or a first-class master’s degree in arts/science from any of the universities.

Candidates who have earned a PhD are preferred. Work experience is preferred, and a working knowledge of Tamil is required. 

Candidates must be between the ages of 22 and 30 at the time of application. Applicants from the SC/ST category have a maximum age limit of 35 years, while candidates from the BC/MBC category have a maximum age limit of 33 years.

“The Government of Tamil Nadu’s reservation policy in admissions to academic institutions will apply.”

Edited By: Kiran Maharana

Published By: Shramana Sengupta