Who is eligible for the First Graduate Certificate in Tamil Nadu?

A Tamil Nadu resident is eligible if no one in the family is already a graduate, including parents and siblings, and no sibling has already used the first graduate fee concession or scholarship. If any family member has graduated, you are not eligible.

How do I apply for a First Graduate Certificate?

Apply online at the TN e-Sevai portal under Revenue Department, service REV-104 First Graduate Certificate. Log in with your CAN, enter the applicant and parent details, declare that no family member is a graduate, pay the Rs 60 fee and submit. You can also apply at an e-Sevai centre.

What is the fee for the First Graduate Certificate?

The application fee is Rs 60, payable online by UPI, net banking or card while filling the form. There are no other official charges.

How long is the First Graduate Certificate valid?

Once issued, the First Graduate Certificate is valid for up to three years, so it can be reused across admission years within that period.

First Graduate Certificate Tamil Nadu 2026 — Eligibility, Apply Online & Fee Concession

Updated for 2026 · For Tamil Nadu students and families. Confirm current rules on the official e-Sevai portal.

Quick answer: The First Graduate Certificate is for a Tamil Nadu student when no one else in the family (parents or siblings) is already a graduate. It unlocks tuition fee concessions and scholarships in college. Apply online at the e-Sevai portal → Revenue Department → REV-104, declare the family has no graduate, pay the ₹60 fee, and it's issued after verification — valid for up to 3 years.

Key takeaways

Eligible only if no family member (incl. siblings) is a graduate.
Gives access to college fee concession & scholarships.
Apply on e-Sevai as REV-104 (or at a centre); fee ₹60.
Valid up to 3 years — reuse across admission years.
Only one certificate per family is allowed.

What the First Graduate Certificate is for

In Tamil Nadu, a "first graduate" is the first person in a family to attend a degree/higher-education course. To encourage them, the government offers a tuition fee concession (and access to related scholarships) at government and many aided/self-financing colleges. The First Graduate Certificate is the proof colleges ask for to grant that concession — so if you qualify, getting it before admission can save a real chunk of your fees.

Who is eligible

You must be a resident of Tamil Nadu.
No other family member is a graduate — this includes your parents and siblings.
No sibling has already availed the first-graduate fee concession or scholarship.
Effectively, only one first-graduate benefit per family is allowed.

Important: if a parent or an elder sibling has already completed a degree, you are not eligible — declaring otherwise can lead to cancellation later.

Documents you'll need

Applicant's details and photo
Parents' details
Proof of residence (ration card / Aadhaar)
School/college study proof (to establish the applicant is entering higher education)
A declaration that no family member is a graduate

How to apply online — step by step

Go to tnesevai.tn.gov.in and log in with your CAN (register once if needed).
Open Services → Revenue Department.
Select REV-104 First Graduate Certificate.
Fill the applicant and parents' details and the no-graduate declaration, add signatures where asked.
Pay the ₹60 fee (UPI / net banking / card) and submit; save the application number.
After verification the certificate is issued — download the digitally signed PDF. It's valid up to 3 years.

You can also apply at any e-Sevai centre with the same documents.

Common mistakes

Applying when a parent/sibling is already a graduate — this is the top reason for rejection or later cancellation.
Two siblings both claiming it — only one first-graduate benefit per family.
Leaving it till admission day — issue takes a few days; apply early.

Related Tamil Nadu guides

Also read our guide on the Income Certificate (needed for many scholarships), and for girl students see Finance Guided's Pudhumai Penn Scheme (₹1,000/month). Students can use our percentage calculator too.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible?

A TN resident where no family member (parents/siblings) is already a graduate.

How do I apply?

Online at e-Sevai under Revenue Department, service REV-104, or at an e-Sevai centre.

What's the fee?

₹60, paid online. No other official charges.

How long is it valid?

Up to 3 years from issue.

About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT. Plain-language guides and free tools for Tamil Nadu.

Disclaimer: Informational guide, updated 2026. Eligibility, fee and validity are set by the Government of Tamil Nadu and can change — confirm at tnesevai.tn.gov.in or with your college.