Chennai, August 29, 2025 — In a remarkable achievement for Tamil Nadu’s state-run education system, 28 students from government schools across the state have secured admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) under the transformative ‘IITM for All’ (Anaivarukkum IITM) initiative. This milestone highlights the growing quality of education in Tamil Nadu’s public schools and the determination of underprivileged students to excel in higher education at one of India’s premier technical institutes.

Launched in 2022, the ‘IITM for All’ program, a collaborative effort between IIT Madras and the Tamil Nadu government, aims to make quality education accessible to students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The initiative focuses on overcoming barriers such as economic hardship and limited digital access, offering students opportunities to pursue undergraduate courses like the B.S. in Data Science and Electronics Systems.

This year’s cohort of 28 students represents diverse regions of Tamil Nadu, showcasing the initiative’s statewide impact. The group includes eight students from Coimbatore, five from Greater Chennai Corporation schools, one from a Chennai government school, three each from Kallakurichi, Sivaganga, and Vellore, two each from Salem and Villupuram, and one from Mayiladuthurai. Of these, 25 students have enrolled in the B.S. Data Science program, reflecting the growing demand for expertise in this field, while three have joined the B.S. Electronics Systems course.

The selection process was highly competitive, with over 11,000 students participating in the initial screening. From this pool, 354 received coaching, and 168 appeared for the entrance examination. The 28 successful students, all currently in Class XII, benefit from early admission, which reduces anxiety around public exams and provides clarity about their academic future. The Tamil Nadu government supports the initiative by covering examination fees, while IIT-M offers up to 75% tuition fee waivers for students from families earning less than ₹1 lakh annually. Students from SC and ST communities receive additional support through the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing Development Corporation, covering the remaining fees.

State School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi celebrated the achievement, attributing it to the visionary schemes of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. “With the support of these initiatives, our government school students are scaling new heights in education,” he posted on X. “We are delighted to share that 28 of our students have joined IIT Madras under the #IIT4Everyone initiative.”

A standout story is that of S Gowri Sankar, a student from Chennai Boys Higher Secondary School in Saidapet, whose mother, Kalaivani, works as a dishwasher at an IIT-M canteen. Despite financial constraints and no access to private tuitions, Gowri credited his teachers for guiding him through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains and securing his admission. “I’m delighted to join IIT-M, and my mother is still processing this achievement,” he told DT Next.

Since its inception, the ‘IITM for All’ program has enabled 381 government school students to enroll in IIT Madras’s online courses, which offer flexible entry and exit options, allowing students to earn certificates, diplomas, or degrees. The School Education Department continues to monitor students’ progress to ensure their success.

This milestone underscores Tamil Nadu’s commitment to inclusive education and the potential of its government school students to compete on a national stage. As Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, noted, “This initiative will greatly help government school students, and we aim to grow it further to make quality education accessible to all.”

The success of these 28 students is a testament to the power of opportunity, hard work, and collaboration between the state government and IIT Madras, paving the way for more underprivileged students to access world-class education.

  IIT Madras, IIT-M, IIT4Everyone