The scheme, first introduced in the AIADMK's 2001-06 government, will cover 6.31 lakh students this year, a state government release here said.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa launched the scheme for this year here. A sum of Rs 196.10 crore had been allocated for this purpose.
Among a series of initiatives to encourage meritorious students, the Chief Minister honoured the Class X and XII toppers from BC, MBC and Minority communities.
She also launched 1,000 new buses and over 370 new routes of various government transport undertakings, the release added.
