Did 4,590 TN Students Secure Loans Under PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 4,590 students from Tamil Nadu secured loans.
- Loans of up to Rs 7.5 lakh are provided.
- Scheme aims to eliminate financial barriers.
- 75% credit guarantee encourages lender participation.
- Career guidance programmes aid student transitions.
Chennai, June 21 (NationPress) A remarkable 4,590 students from Tamil Nadu have successfully obtained education loans of up to Rs 7.5 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi (PM-Vidyalaxmi) scheme since November of the previous year. This achievement positions the DMK-led state as the leader among five southern states, as revealed by data from the Union government on Saturday.
In contrast, Karnataka has registered 4,403 beneficiaries, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 3,428, Telangana at 2,590, and Kerala with 2,070, thereby establishing Tamil Nadu at the forefront of its regional peers, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Education.
The PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme, initiated by the Ministry in November 2024, aims to eliminate financial barriers preventing deserving students from attaining quality higher education.
It provides collateral-free and guarantor-free education loans of up to Rs 7.5 lakh, with the Centre offering a 75% credit guarantee to stimulate engagement from financial institutions.
Officials from the Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department credit the state's superior ranking to its consistently high Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and a substantial youth population.
Currently, Tamil Nadu boasts a youth demographic of around 69.37 lakh in the 18–23 age category, playing a crucial role in the distribution of benefits under this scheme.
Authorities anticipate a surge in beneficiaries in the forthcoming years as the state amplifies its initiatives to encourage higher education among economically disadvantaged groups.
A significant measure in this direction is the career guidance programme launched by the School Education Department.
This scheme aids Class 10 students in transitioning to higher secondary education and inspires Class 12 students, particularly from government schools, to seek college degrees.
The impact of this initiative is evident. The GER for government school students in Tamil Nadu has escalated from 47% to 74%, as noted by a senior official.
“We aim to reach a 100% GER in the upcoming years through enhanced access, awareness initiatives, and financial assistance strategies,” the official added.