Meritorious students, every district.
Lighting minds, lifting lives.
Tharun's Education and Research Foundation (TERF) is a registered public charitable trust supporting meritorious, economically weak students — in rural schools, and in government or government-aided schools in urban areas — across Tamil Nadu, with scholarships, mentorship, and a real path into professional careers like CA, CMA, and CS.
A hand held out is a future changed.
Registered as TERF · Document No. 223/2025, Sub Registrar Office, Anna Nagar
Built on a simple conviction
TERF was founded by Mr. K.J. Tharun Raj and registered in Chennai on 11 December 2025 as an irrevocable public charitable trust. It exists to close the gap between talent and opportunity — for meritorious students wherever they study, whether that's a rural school or a government and government-aided school in a city.
TERF operates primarily across Tamil Nadu today, with plans to extend its programs to other states over time. Every activity of the Trust is run without profit motive and open to the public irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or sex. Accounts are maintained and audited annually by a Chartered Accountant, and every donation is tracked and accounted for down to the rupee.
- Founded:11 December 2025, Anna Nagar, Chennai
- Structure:Board of Trustees (up to 16 members)
- Who we serve:Meritorious, economically weak students in rural and urban government/aided schools across Tamil Nadu
- Status:Non-profit, irrevocable public charitable trust, audited annually
"Opportunities for all.
Barriers for none."
This is the line every program is measured against — if it doesn't remove a barrier or open a door, it doesn't belong in TERF's work. A student's postcode, whether it's a village or a city ward, should never decide their ceiling.
To turn merit into opportunity — wherever a student studies.
We identify, mentor, and support meritorious students from economically weak backgrounds — in rural schools and in government or government-aided schools in cities — with the coaching, scholarships, and guidance they need to qualify as Chartered Accountants, Cost & Management Accountants, Company Secretaries, and other professionals.
A Tamil Nadu where every village has its own professional.
We imagine a future where a student's postcode never limits their potential — where rural and urban government classrooms alike go on to produce the Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, and Company Secretaries of tomorrow, and where merit, not means, decides who gets there.
Ten areas, one goal
From classroom support to career-ready skills, TERF's work spans ten focus areas — each aimed at giving a student, teacher, or community one more thing they need to move forward.
Educational Excellence
Structured academic support, mentorship, and free or subsidised coaching for CA, CMA, CS and other professional courses — in rural schools and in government/aided schools in cities.
Talent Identification
Spotting meritorious students early and backing them with academic, digital, financial, and emotional support, plus laptops and devices where needed.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Startup bootcamps, founder interactions, pitch competitions, and incubation support for young aspiring entrepreneurs.
Skill Development & Technology
Communication, digital literacy, leadership, and AI-awareness camps that prepare students for emerging careers.
Teacher Training
Commerce Teacher Enhancement Programs and refresher workshops that sharpen pedagogy in government and rural schools.
Career Readiness
Mock interviews, resume training, and personality development so students walk into interviews prepared and confident.
Infrastructure & Institutions
Supporting libraries, labs, and digital classrooms — and, over time, establishing schools and centres of higher education.
Collaboration & Partnerships
Working with government bodies, NGOs, corporates, and universities on scholarships, research, and student welfare.
Community Development
Women's empowerment, parent education, digital literacy drives, and health and environmental awareness programs.
Governance & Sustainability
Transparent operations, audited accounts, and full compliance — so every rupee is accounted for and every promise is kept.
Scholarships We Offer
Two ways TERF supports a student's path forward — broad financial need, and course-specific costs for those already on the CA/CMA/CS track.
Merit-Based Scholarship
For meritorious students from economically weak backgrounds across Tamil Nadu — studying in rural schools, or in government and government-aided schools in urban areas — who need financial support to keep going.
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Studying in any school in a rural area — or in a Government/Government-aided school in an urban area
- ✓If in an urban Government/aided school: studied there continuously from 6th to 12th standard
- ✓Categorised as economically weak, with a valid income certificate produced
- ✓Scored above 90% in both 11th and 12th standard
- ✓Appeared for the TERF eligibility exam and scored above 80%
What it covers
- ✓Coaching and tuition fees for professional courses
- ✓Study material, test series, and exam registration support
- ✓Laptops or devices for online learning where needed
- ✓Mentorship and continued academic guidance throughout the course
CA/CMA/CS Course Support Scholarship
For students already pursuing CA, CMA, or CS — at the Foundation, Intermediate, or Final level — who need help covering course-related costs along the way.
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Registered for CA, CMA, or CS and completed Foundation or Intermediate in at least one group
- ✓Categorised as economically weak, with a valid income certificate produced
- ✓Secured a rank or exemption at the Foundation or Intermediate level
What it covers
- ✓Registration fees for Foundation, Intermediate, or Final level
- ✓Coaching / tuition fees
- ✓Purchase of textbooks and study material
- ✓Discounts or subsidy support toward video lecture / online course purchases
Oorukku Oru Auditor
"One Auditor, Per Village"
Very few students — whether in a village or in a government school inside a city — ever meet a Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, or Company Secretary, let alone imagine becoming one. This mission finds commerce talent early across Tamil Nadu, in rural and urban government/aided schools alike, and walks them all the way to a CA, CMA, or CS qualification.
Career awareness in schools
On-ground programs in rural and urban government schools introduce students to commerce, finance, and entrepreneurship as real career paths.
Talent identification & test series
Structured test series and learning interventions surface students with genuine aptitude for CA/CMA/CS.
Free & subsidised coaching
Scholarships, study resources, and mentorship carry deserving students through their professional qualification.
An auditor returns to serve
Every graduate becomes proof that the next student from their school or village can do it too.
The Board of Trustees
TERF is governed by a Board of Trustees, with the Author of the Trust holding the casting vote in the event of a conflict of opinion. All trustees serve without remuneration.
K.J. Tharun Raj
Founder Trustee · Chairman · Managing TrusteeAuthor of the Trust. Sets the founding vision and holds the casting vote in Board decisions. Based in Anna Nagar East, Chennai.
V. Arun
Secretary · Joint Managing TrusteeOversees the Trust's day-to-day administration alongside the Managing Trustee and co-executes all deeds and documents.
M. Surya
Treasurer · Finance OfficerManages the Trust's accounts and bank operations, with books audited annually by a Chartered Accountant.
Every rupee, accounted for
Donations keep coaching free, scholarships funded, and devices in the hands of students who need them. Our books are audited annually by a Chartered Accountant, and every contribution is tracked against the student or program it supports.
Support TERF's work overall
Your contribution goes into the general trust fund and is allocated across coaching, scholarships, teacher training, and school infrastructure — wherever the need is greatest that quarter.
Fund one student's journey
Sponsor a specific student's CA/CMA/CS coaching, school scholarship, or laptop/device support, and receive updates on their progress through the program.
Partner with TERF on CSR
Channel your company's CSR funds toward meritorious, economically weak students pursuing CA, CMA, or CS. We provide transparent utilisation reports and can align a cohort of scholarships with your organisation's CSR objectives.
Audited annually
Statements reviewed each year by a Chartered Accountant.
Tracked to the rupee
Every donation is logged against the program or student it funds.
No profit motive
Registered as a non-profit trust — funds go to the objects of the Trust only.
Register your interest to donate
We're setting up formal payment channels. Share your details below and Mr. Vinay will personally reach out with payment instructions and a receipt.
Thank you for stepping up
Mr. Vinay will reach out at the number/email you shared with payment details and a receipt process.
Apply for support
For students seeking CA/CMA/CS mentorship, the Merit-Based Scholarship, career-readiness programs, or device support — in rural schools or government/aided schools in cities across Tamil Nadu.
- Who can apply:Any eligible student in Tamil Nadu today, with plans to expand to other states over time
- Response time:Our team typically reaches out within 2 weeks
- Cost to apply:Free, always
Application received
Thank you for applying to TERF. Our team will review your details and get in touch within 2 weeks.
Give your time and skills
Mentor a student, run a skill workshop, help with a career awareness session, or support our teams in rural and urban government schools.
- Time commitment:As little as a few hours a month
- Mode:Online or in-person, your choice
- Who can volunteer:Students, professionals, and retirees alike
Thank you for volunteering
We've received your details. Our team will reach out about the next steps and available opportunities.
We'd love to hear from you
Phone
Mr. Vinay — 96001 93749
Registered Office
Swathi Ayyappa Flats, Flat No. B-3, No. 34/24, Gujji 2nd Street, VOC Mosque, Anna Nagar East, Chennai – 600102, Tamil Nadu
Reach Out For
Program applications, volunteering, partnerships, donations, and general enquiries.
Public record
Trust Deed — Registered
- Document No.
- 223 of 2025
- Book
- IV, Sheets 1–21
- Registration Date
- 11 December 2025
- Registered At
- Sub Registrar Office, Anna Nagar, Chennai
- Trust Name
- Tharun's Education and Research Foundation
- Nature
- Irrevocable public charitable trust
TERF operates entirely within India, without any profit motive, and its accounts are audited annually by a Chartered Accountant in line with the Indian Trusts Act and the Income Tax Act, 2025.