CHENNAI: Applications have been invited from minority students for scholarship under the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) scheme and for renewal of the same.

The scheme applies to Classes XI and XII students and those doing ITI , polytechnic, diploma in nursing, teacher training, undergraduate, postgraduate, M Phil and PhD level courses. Students studying in both government-funded and private institutions can apply.

A total of 18,736 candidates belonging to Muslim (9,043), Christian (9,447), Sikh (31), Buddhist (24) and Jain (191) communities will be benefited, says a notification issued by the Tamil Nadu department of backward classes and most backward classes.

There is no target for renewal scholarships.

Students belonging to these communities, with 50% marks or more in previous final exams and annual income of less than Rs 2 lakh, can apply through government's common National Scholarship Portal (www.scholarships.gov.in).

Students from below poverty line (BPL) families, having the lowest income, shall be given preference in the ascending order for each religion.

The last date to apply is October 31.

