Council of Historical Research

The Tamil Nadu Archives houses the records of the Government which are more than three centuries old and it is a mine of information for writing the history of South India. The Government in order to encourage research on various aspects of the life of the people in South India created the Tamil Nadu Council of Historical Research in the year 1973.

The Council is headed by the Honourable Minister for Higher Education. It comprises two Official and three Non-Official Members. The Higher Education Secretary to Government and the Commissioner of Archives and Historical Research are two Official Members. The Commissioner of Archives is also its Member Secretary. The Non-Official Members will be nominated by the Government for a period of two years from the date of their nominations in part time and the full time fellowship are offered by the Council besides conduct of Endowment Lectures for the benefit of Research Scholars.

The Council offers 6 part time Fellowships and one full time Fellowship every year. Full time Fellowship be restricted to full time research scholar who are not employed either in Government or any other sector. The period of the part time Fellowship will be two years and that of full time be one year. Of the six part time Fellowships, two shall be selected from among the holders Post Graduate Degree three from among Lecturers, Professors and Ph.D Scholars or Research Scholars from the Universities and Colleges and one from Tamilo Nadu Archives Stafff. 

The part time Fellowship carries a monthly stipend of Rs.2000/- and that of full time Rs.5000/- p.m. Besides an annual contingent expenditure of Rs.3000/- can be given subject to production of vouchers etc. All Indian Nationals are eligible to apply for a Fellowship. The minimum qualification is a P.G.Degree. No age limit is prescribed.