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Tholkappiar Award

TA

Published: Sep 2026

4 min read

Reviewed by Navin, Editor · First published: 28 Sep 2026

Tholkappiar Award
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Written by Navin · Editor, tsmpb.inUpdated: 17 Oct 2026 · How we verify scheme facts

About this social welfare scheme

The scheme "Tholkappiar Award" was launched by the Arts and Culture Department, Puducherry. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to writers and authors for outstanding research publications in Tamil literature.

The scheme "Tholkappiar Award" was launched by the Arts and Culture Department, Puducherry. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance of Rs. 10,000/- to writers and authors for outstanding research publications in Tamil literature who are natives of the Union Territory of Puducherry either by birth or domicile. The application was accepted offline.

Benefits at a glance

Scheme nameTholkappiar Award (TA)
Launched byArts and Culture Department, Puducherry
Benefit typeCash (money paid to your bank account)
CategorySocial welfare
Level / StateState ยท Puducherry
Official portalart.py.gov.in (link at the end of this page)

Key facts

Scheme forIndividual
Application modeOffline
Last dateOngoing (no last date notified)
DBT (direct bank transfer)No
Age18 to 80 years

Who can apply (quick check)

  • ๐Ÿ‘คAll genders
  • ๐ŸŽ‚Age 18 to 80 years
  • ๐Ÿ“Offline

Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.

What you receive

  • Financial Assistance of Rs. 10,000/-. with an award and certificate.

Who qualifies

  1. The applicant should be a writer/author.
  2. The applicant should be born in Puducherry or a resident of Puducherry for five years or have continuous residence before the date of application in the jurisdiction to exist.
  3. The applicant should submit research books not less than 150 pages.
  4. The applicant should submit texts that must have been printed and published as a first edition by December 31 of the specified year.
  5. Essays and dissertations submitted for university degrees or examinations are not eligible.
  6. A one-time awardee is ineligible to apply for the subsequent four years.
  7. The texts submitted for competition should not be an abridgment, adaptation, translation, or paraphrase of another text.
  8. Novels, short stories, poetry, drama, travelogues, and collections of essays are not eligible for the Tholkappiar Award.
  9. The thesis editor should be in Tamil language only.
  10. The thesis submitted for the Tholkappiar Award should be published in the calendar year preceding the year of the award. It should not have been published in the previous year.

Papers to keep ready

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Registration walkthrough

Offline

Step 1: The interested applicant should visit (during office hours) the Department of Art and Culture and request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the staff exclusively entrusted to issue and collect filled-in applications.

OR

The interested applicant downloads the application form.

Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the superintendent, Department of Art and Culture, No.1, Roman Roland Road, Puducherry 605 001.

Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the superintendent to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (if applicable).

NOTE 1: Five texts received for the competition cannot be returned for any reason.

NOTE 2: Only application forms sent with the author's signature will be accepted for the competition.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Tolkappyar Prize?

Applicants must be born in Puducherry, have resided in Puducherry for five years, or have continuous residence within the jurisdiction before the application date.

Can an author apply for the Tolkappyar Prize more than once?

No, an awardee under this scheme is ineligible to apply for the subsequent four years.

Are there any restrictions on the types of texts that can be submitted for the competition?

Yes, texts must not be an abridgement, adaptation, translation, or paraphrase of another text. Categories such as novels, short stories, poetry, drama, travelogue, and collection of essays are not eligible.

What is the minimum page requirement for research books applying for the Tolkappyar Prize?

Research books must not be less than 150 pages.

When should the first edition of the text have been printed and published?

The first edition must have been printed and published by December 31 of the year preceding the award year.

What must be included with each publication submission?

A separate application form and five copies of the text must be included with each submission.

Will the submitted texts be returned to the applicants?

No, the texts received for the competition cannot be returned for any reason.

What is the award for winning the Tolkappyar Prize?

The author will receive Rs. 10,000 and a certificate.

Who selects the prize-winning books?

A panel of experts nominated by the Government will scrutinize and select the prize-winning books.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

No, there is no age limit for applicants.

Can more than one award be given in a given year?

Yes, the Government has the power to provide more than one award if deemed necessary.

What happens if there are issues in the implementation of the scheme?

The Government's decision regarding any issues in the implementation of the scheme is final and cannot be contested in court.

Can the rules of the Tolkappyar Prize be amended?

Yes, the Government has full power to change, delete, or amend the rules relating to the award as necessary.

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