The state’s flagship skilling programme for students is still running in 2026, but under a new name. In June, the new government renamed Naan Mudhalvan. The News Minute reported the new title as Thiran Tamil Nadu (thiran means skill), and PTI rendered it as Skill Development. Minister R Nirmal Kumar said the scheme would continue without major changes under the new name.
For a student in Chennai, the practical takeaway is that the courses, the credit system in colleges and the naanmudhalvan.tn.gov.in portal remain the route in. Existing accounts carry over. The programme was launched by the previous DMK government in 2022 and is run by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC).
Why the name changed
Announcing the change at a press meet in Madurai, Nirmal Kumar said the old name had caused public confusion and was being read as a political campaign. Former Chief Minister M K Stalin criticised the move on X, saying a change of name would not erase what the scheme had achieved. The renaming has not changed eligibility or fees: the courses remain free.
Expect to see both names for some time. College circulars, certificates issued before June and many websites still say Naan Mudhalvan.
Who can join
The programme has separate tracks for different groups:
- College students: those in engineering, arts and science, polytechnic and ITI courses. In most affiliated colleges, the skill courses are built into the curriculum as credit courses held during college hours, so you join through your college rather than on your own.
- Young job seekers: the scheme offers free, employment-linked skill training to people aged 18 to 35, according to DT Next’s report on the 2026-27 plans.
- School students: career guidance and higher-education information for Classes 9 to 12 is offered through government schools.
- Civil services aspirants: a competitive exams wing offers coaching and a UPSC prelims scholarship.
Courses planned for 2026-27
In February, before the election, TNSDC invited expressions of interest from industry and training partners to bring in newer courses for the 2026-27 academic year. The plan covers more than 60 courses for engineering students, 38 for arts and science colleges and 43 training programmes for polytechnics. Each course runs for 45 to 60 hours across a semester and is taught offline, in person, on a fixed calendar.
Partners must train college faculty as well as students, and provide industry-recognised certificates at the end. Typical areas listed on the portal and by colleges include coding, data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, banking and financial services, and communication skills. The exact list depends on your stream and your university.
On scale, the 2026 interim budget figures cited by the IMPRI policy institute put the number of skill certificates issued to college students at 48,65,050.
How to register
- Go to naanmudhalvan.tn.gov.in and choose the student registration option.
- Enter your name, mobile number, email, date of birth and district, and verify with the OTP sent to your phone.
- Complete your profile with your college or school details and course.
- Pick from the courses open to your stream, or the competitive exam track if you are a graduate.
In colleges, the courses are scheduled semester by semester, and the options open to you depend on your university and stream. A second-year BCom student in a Chennai arts college will see a different menu from a polytechnic student in mechanical engineering. Certificates from completed courses can be downloaded from your dashboard after you log in.
If you are in college, ask your department’s Naan Mudhalvan (now skill) coordinator first. Your enrolment is often already linked through the college, and you only need to log in with the credentials the college gives you. Registration is free. Do not pay any agent who offers a seat or a certificate.
The UPSC prelims scholarship
The competitive exams wing ran its 2026 screening test on 6 September. It offers 1,000 scholarships of Rs 7,500 a month for ten months to graduates preparing for the UPSC civil services prelims. The 2026 applications closed on 3 August, according to ScholarshipsX’s summary of the notice. Serving government employees cannot get the scholarship. Watch the portal from around mid-2027 for the next cycle.
Other free help for job seekers
If you have finished studying and want state exam preparation rather than a skill course, the Directorate of Employment and Training’s Tamil Nadu Career Services portal has free TNPSC, police recruitment and bank exam materials and mock tests. It also posts notices for job fairs in Chennai.
Quick answers
Has Naan Mudhalvan been stopped?
No. It was renamed in June 2026 and the government says it continues without major changes.
Is there a fee?
No. The courses are fully funded by the state through TNSDC.
Do I need to register again after the name change?
No. The same portal address works and existing logins remain valid.
Can a working graduate join?
Skill training is aimed at people aged 18 to 35. Check the portal for open batches outside colleges.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Naan Mudhalvan portal (Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation)
- Tamil Nadu Career Services portal (Directorate of Employment and Training)
- TN govt renamed ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ scheme to avoid confusion: Minister Nirmal Kumar (DT Next / PTI)
- Former CM Stalin slams renaming of Naan Mudhalvan scheme (The News Minute)
- Tamil Nadu to introduce new courses under Naan Mudhalvan scheme (DT Next)
- Decoding Tamil Nadu’s 2026 scheme landscape (IMPRI)
- Naan Mudhalvan and AICSCC UPSC Prelims Scholarship Exam 2026 (ScholarshipsX)
