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Decoding Tamil Nadu’s 2026 Scheme Landscape: Department-wise Updates And Outcomes – IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

September 12, 2026 Modified date: September 12, 2026

Policy Update
Raushan Raj

History:

Tamil Nadu, once referred to as the Madras State until 1969, has developed one of India’s best welfare and development establishments through long-standing revenues, agriculture, and social welfare, along with emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital governance, and climate change measures. For most of the last decade and a half, the structure of the departments and programs within the State has been decided upon by the DMK Government, headed by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin from May 2021 onwards.

The outgoing DMK Government, with the 2026 Assembly election around the corner, had announced the Interim Budget on 17 February 2026 through Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, extending and expanding some long-standing welfare initiatives. Following the 2026 Assembly Election of 23 April 2026, with its results declared on 4 May 2026, the new victor was the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, newly founded by the actor-turned-politician, C. Joseph Vijay.

After the new regime came into power, a White Paper on Financial Management was issued on 16 June 2026 regarding the State’s debt that had risen to double in size in five years and amounted to Rs.10 lakh crore, and thereafter the Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27 were tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 5 August 2026 by the Finance Minister, Dr. N. Marie Wilson. The Agriculture Budget for 2026-27 was tabled the very next day, 6 August 2026, by the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Thiru R. Vinoth. Since there have been two sets of budgets put up by two different regimes in the same financial year, the latest Revised Budget Estimates dated 5 August 2026 are used in this update.

Mandate:

This update contains the main flagship schemes, missions and policies implemented in the Departments of the Government of Tamil Nadu as per Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27, and the Agricultural Budget 2026-27. The information does not necessarily pertain to schemes introduced in the latest Budget Speech: ongoing schemes that have continued or received budget allocations despite being in operation, such as Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam, Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai, etc., have been covered too, as the new government has stated its intention of continuing the majority of the ongoing welfare schemes while introducing some new ones.

The aim is to collate all information about schemes in a single list with details like their name, year/dates of implementation, and budget allocation in an effort to highlight both continuity and changes with the change in the government. The source of origin of each scheme, wherever possible, along with the latest financial details, has been mentioned. Wherever possible, the budget allocation of any scheme that could not be independently verified from primary sources has been stated instead of estimated

Departmental Structure:

Departments have been categorised according to their functional sectors such as school and higher education; social justice, social welfare and women’s empowerment; health; agriculture and allied rural livelihoods; industry, energy and infrastructure; urban and rural development; and governance, revenue and administration. Every department has been assigned a separate number to maintain the same departmental system as shown in the Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27.

For instance, departments such as Finance, Commercial Taxes and Registration act mainly as regulatory and revenue-collecting departments and hence have been categorised as such. The nomenclature of the departments has changed following the change of government in 2026. In addition, the newly created Social Justice Department has taken up welfare schemes related to Adi Dravidar and Tribal communities.

Schemes and Policies:

1. School Education

Super Clean Super Campus Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Provides daily cleaning, drinking-water and toilet maintenance and 24-hour campus security in Government schools; implemented in 10,000 schools in the first phase, with Rs.139 crore allocated in the Revised Budget Estimates.
Palli Niraivu Thittam (Launched: 2026-27). Modernises school infrastructure to recommended norms across 3,734 schools (2,514 primary, 365 middle, 855 high/higher secondary) at an estimated cost of Rs.2,132 crore; Rs.300 crore allocated in the current Revised Budget Estimates.
Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Schools of Excellence (Launched: 2026-27). Modern residential schools for academically talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds, Classes IX-XII, providing free education, food, boarding, textbooks and uniforms; Rs.125 crore allocated for infrastructure.
School Education Curriculum Revision (Launched: 2026-27). Reimagines curriculum toward experiential, inquiry-based and competency-driven learning, including critical thinking, financial literacy, digital competence and global citizenship; Rs.25 crore allocated.
Drug-Free Tamil Nadu School Initiative (Launched: 2026). Establishes Anti-Drug Clubs and student volunteer groups, a dedicated 10581 helpline and a ‘Drug-Free Tamil Nadu’ mobile application for confidential reporting; Rs.7 crore allocated.
Public Library Digital Redesign (Launched: 2026-27). Converts public libraries, including the 38 district central libraries, into digital learning and innovation hubs with free Wi-Fi and co-working spaces; Rs.10 crore allocated.

Puthiya Payanam Puthiya Vegam / Class XI Bicycle Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Provides modern bicycles with helmets and water bottles to about 5.32 lakh Class XI students in Government and aided schools; Rs.277 crore allocated.
Ennum Ezhuthum (Launched: 2020, continuing). Foundational literacy and numeracy mission for Classes 1-3 in Government schools using Activity-Based Learning methods, benefiting more than 40 lakh students annually.
School Education Department allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27):

Rs.44,527 crore, the largest departmental allocation after pensions.

2. Higher Education

Vetri Laptop Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Provides laptops to college students as an essential learning resource; Rs.2,000 crore allocated.
Tamil Nadu Student Housing & Infrastructure Corporation (TNSHIC) (Launched: 2026-27). A dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle to construct 200 integrated student hostels delivering 1 lakh beds through a Public-Private Partnership model; estimated capital outlay Rs.3,200 crore, with a 20 per cent State Capital Construction Grant of Rs.640 crore phased over two years, and an initial equity infusion of Rs.10 crore for TNSHIC.
Government Law College, Madurai (Announced: for academic year 2027-28). Specialised legal-education institution on par with a School of Excellence in Law, with an intake of 300 students.
Pudhumai Penn Scheme (Launched: September 2021/2022, continuing). Rs.1,000 per month direct benefit transfer to girl students in Classes 6-12, extended to female college students; addresses the higher dropout risk from Class 6 onward.
Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme (Launched: 19 February 2024; implemented on 9 August 2024). Parallel Rs.1,000-per-month higher-education assistance for male students, mirroring Pudhumai Penn; benefited over 5.4 lakh students as of the 2026 Interim Budget.
Higher Education Department allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs. 8393 crore

3. Labour Welfare and Skill Development

Electric Vehicle Mechanic Training Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Trains 22,500 persons, including 12,500 mechanics currently servicing fossil-fuel vehicles, in EV and battery maintenance over five years; Rs.3 crore allocated in the current year.
AI and Machine Learning Trade in ITIs (Launched: 2026-27). New trade introduced in 50 Government Industrial Training Institutes over five years (10 institutes/year), training 24,000 students; Rs.10 crore allocated, alongside Rs.7.5 crore for five new ITIs (total estimated cost Rs.90 crore).
Vetri Skill Training Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Industry-aligned skilling for 12 lakh college students and 1 lakh unemployed youth, with internships for 20,000 youth in the first phase; Rs.150 crore allocated.
AI Industry Development Program (Launched: 2026). Curates specialised AI curricula with partners such as IIT Madras, targeting 5 lakh youth skilled by 2031.
TN SPARK: Tamil Nadu School Programme for AI, Robotics and Knowledge of online tools (Launched: earlier; expanded 2026-27). Extended from 5,000 to 7,600 Government schools with a restructured three-tier curriculum for Classes 6-12.
Naan Mudhalvan (Launched: 2022, continuing). Statewide employability and skilling mission offering free certification courses, internships and competitive-exam coaching for students and youth.
Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.2,022 crore; a further Rs.17,150 crore is allocated for the Special Programme Implementation Department.

4. Youth Welfare and Sports Development

Integrated Youth Development Programme / ‘Take Up Sports, Give Up Drugs’ (Launched: 2026). Integrates the National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme with Health, Police and Social Welfare Departments to channel youth energy into sport and community service.
Olympic Centres of Excellence (Launched: 2026-27). Ten centres established statewide to nurture elite sporting talent; Rs.50 crore allocated, alongside Rs.5 crore for training gifted school students aged 8-18 and Rs.22 crore in financial assistance to 500 athletes.
Tamil Nadu Rural Sports Competition (ongoing; expanded 2026-27). Rs.42 crore allocated to take traditional Tamil sports to a wider stage, plus Rs.2 crore for the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University.
Daily School Sports Period and Neighbourhood Sports Facilities (Launched: 2026-27). One hour of daily structured sports/physical activity after school hours in Government and aided schools, supported by small gymnasiums and sports complexes in every block and urban local body.
Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.1,051 crore.

5. Social Justice

Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship Scheme (ongoing; enhanced 2026-27). Up to Rs.36 lakh per student for study at renowned international universities; 362 students to benefit in the current year at an estimated cost of Rs.131 crore, the highest-ever sanction under the scheme.
Vetri Entrepreneur Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Capital subsidy and interest subvention for Adi Dravidar and Tribal entrepreneurs; Rs.75 crore allocated.
Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (ongoing; funded 2026-27). Loans and capital subsidy to encourage entrepreneurship among Adi Dravidar and Tribal people; Rs.165 crore allocated.
Mannin Magal Thittam (Launched: 2026-27). Converts Adi Dravidar and Tribal women agricultural labourers into landowners, with training in modern farming practices; Rs.20 crore allocated.
Iyothee Thass Pandithar Habitation Development Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Comprehensive infrastructure upgrade in urban and rural Adi Dravidar habitations; Rs.300 crore allocated.
Aandror Membattu Thittam (Launched: 2026-27). Improves housing, roads, drinking water, streetlights, livelihood and education infrastructure in Tribal habitations; Rs.250 crore allocated.
Special Component Plan / Tribal Sub-Plan (ongoing). Rs.25,225 crore allocated under the Special Component Plan for Adi Dravidar welfare and Rs.2,079 crore under the Tribal Sub-Plan in the Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27.
Social Justice Department allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.3,937 crore (excluding the Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan figures above).

6. Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, De-notified Communities and Minorities Welfare

Educational Scholarships for BC/MBC/DNC students (ongoing 2026-27). Rs.372 crore for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships, Rs.77 crore towards medical and dental tuition fees under the 7.5 per cent reservation, and Rs.13.41 crore as a dropout-prevention incentive for girl students.
Protection of the 69 per cent Reservation Policy (ongoing legal and administrative effort). Rs.462.41 crore allocated to sustain the 69 per cent reservation and the 7.5 per cent medical quota for Government school students, as reported in Budget coverage.
Minorities welfare measures (ongoing/enhanced 2026-27). Hajj subsidy for first-time pilgrims raised from Rs.25,000 to Rs.35,000; Rs.1.05 crore for additional Christian and Muslim Women Aid Societies; Rs.34 crore to improve burial-ground and Kabarsthan infrastructure.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.1,700 crore for the Welfare of Backwards Classes, Most Backwards Classes, and Minorities Department.

7. Welfare of Differently Abled Persons

AI-Based Assistive Devices Subsidy (Launched: 2026-27). Financial assistance of up to 50 per cent of the cost, or a maximum of Rs.30,000, for sports prosthetics, myoelectric limb prostheses and cochlear-implant batteries not covered under the existing distribution scheme.
Nambikkai Illam institutions (Launched: 2026-27). Day-school-format special-education and rehabilitation centres for children aged 3 and above with intellectual disabilities, established in Thanjavur, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Cuddalore and Virudhunagar districts; Rs.4 crore allocated.
Maintenance and individual assistance (ongoing; enhanced). Monthly maintenance allowance of Rs.2,000 for families unable to support a person with disabilities, and individual assistance raised from Rs.1,000 to Rs.1,500, benefiting about 8.52 lakh people, as reported in the 2026 Interim Budget.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.1,485 crore.

8. Social Welfare and Women Empowerment

Annan’s Seer / Annan Seer Thittam (Launched: 2026-27). An 8-gram gold coin and silk saree presented as a wedding gift to eligible brides; Rs.812 crore allocated, fulfilling a TVK election commitment.
Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme (Renamed and expanded 2026; originally the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, Launched: 2022). Extends free breakfast to Classes VI-VIII from 17 September 2026, benefiting an additional 15.14 lakh students across 15,414 schools; Rs.710 crore allocated for the expansion. The original scheme had benefited 19.34 lakh students at a cumulative cost of about Rs.1,284 crore over four years.
Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai / Women’s Entitlement Scheme (Launched: September 2023, continuing). Rs.1,000 per month direct income support to the female head of eligible households; benefited about 1.31 crore women, with periodic supplementary payments such as a one-time Rs.5,000 summer relief disbursement.
Free bus travel for women (Zero-Ticket Bus Travel Scheme) (Launched: 2021, continuing). Free travel on ordinary-fare town buses of the State Transport Undertakings for all women, including transgender persons and girl students pursuing higher education; raised the share of women bus passengers from about 40 to 61 per cent.
Senior-citizen welfare expansion (Launched: 2026-27). Twelve integrated senior-citizen homes (40 beneficiaries each) across 12 districts, Rs.6.6 crore allocated; senior-citizen recreation centres in five districts in the initial phase.

Anganwadi infrastructure (Launched: 2026-27). Construction of 500 new Anganwadi Centres with safe drinking water, toilets and electricity.
Transgender welfare package (Launched: 2026-27). Skill training through the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation, subsidy-linked bank credit up to Rs.50,000 for self-employment, ‘Aran’ shelter homes in five districts, and short-stay homes in 15 districts.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.9,818 crore for the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department.

9. Health and Family Welfare

Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam (Launched: from 15 September 2026). A 1-gram gold ring gifted to every newborn delivered in a government hospital, intended to encourage institutional deliveries; Rs.560 crore allocated.
Mobile Geriatric Treatment Centres (Launched: 2026-27). 1,000 mobile units, each with a doctor, nurse and physiotherapist, to visit every Village Panchayat for free check-ups and chronic-disease medicines; Rs.33 crore allocated.
Thai Care Maternity Support Centres (Launched: 2026-27). Residential maternity-care centres offering free meals, medical support and monitoring for pregnant women nearing their delivery date; Rs.23 crore allocated.
Hub-and-Spoke Telemedicine Network (Launched: 2026-27). Five specialist hubs linked to 200 Primary Health Centre/Government hospital spokes, to expand to 1,000 hubs and spokes over five years; Rs.18.5 crore allocated.
Hub-and-Spoke Cancer Care Model (Announced: 2026-27). Five zonal cancer-care hospitals as points of contact for patients and centres for research; Rs.10 crore allocated for a Detailed Project Report.
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (Launched: 2021, continuing). Flagship doorstep-healthcare scheme screening households for 27 non-communicable and other conditions with on-the-spot free medicines; over 3.5 crore households covered, and 2.25-4.75 crore people reported to have received primary or follow-up services as of the 2026 Interim Budget; recognised at the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force Awards 2024.
Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme / Kalaignar Kaappittu Thittam (ongoing). Cashless health insurance coverage of up to Rs.5 lakh per family per year for major surgeries and procedures not covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
Health and Family Welfare Department allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.23,357 crore, an increase of about Rs.1,451 crore (6.6 per cent) over the DMK government’s Interim Budget figure of Rs.22,090 crore presented in February 2026.

10. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

Kuruvai Package Scheme (Sanctioned: 2026). Rs.134 crore package covering mechanical transplantation, direct seeding, seed-production incentives and micronutrient distribution, sanctioned after insufficient Mettur Dam storage delayed the opening of irrigation for Kar, Kuruvai and Sornavari cultivation.

Tamil Nadu Soil Fertility Mission (Launched: 2026-27). Ten-component mission with Rs.122.51 crore allocated for 2026-27 (Rs.600 crore over five years).
Tamil Nadu Millet Mission (ongoing; 2026-27 allocation). Rs.63.81 crore for Cumbu, Cholam and Ragi cultivation, benefiting about 4.75 lakh farmers; a related Minor Millet Mission covering five minor millets received Rs.7.61 crore across 29 districts.
Cotton Renaissance Mission (Launched: 2026). Five-year mission for cotton (‘White Gold’) with Rs.27.21 crore allocated for 2026-27, benefiting about 40,000 farmers.
Mission for Self-Sufficiency in Pulses and Edible Oilseeds (Launched: 2026-27).

Rs.203.64 crore (Rs.65.28 crore pulses and Rs.138.36 crore oilseeds).

Drop by Drop Water Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). The single largest scheme in the Agriculture Budget: Rs.785 crore for micro-irrigation across about 2,22,794 acres, benefiting some 95,000 farmers.
Palmyra Protection Mission (Launched: 2026-27). Rs.2.10 crore to protect the State Tree and the livelihoods dependent on it.
Uzhavar Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Rs.2 crore for AI/machine-learning based advisories delivered to farmers by mobile phone.
Annal Ambedkar Agricultural Assistance Scheme (Launched: 2026). Rs.56.72 crore for SC/ST farmers, including an additional 20 per cent subsidy and fully subsidised wells for 300 farmers.
Electricity subsidy for farmers (2026-27). Rs.7,432 crore allocated for free/subsidised agricultural power.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.14,984 crore, ahead of the separate Agriculture Budget of Rs.58,374.09 crore covering agriculture and allied departments together, presented on 6 August 2026.

11. Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fisherman Welfare

Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Provides five goats/sheep with a 100 per cent subsidy to destitute widows, deserted women, transgender persons, and persons with disabilities in rural areas, benefiting about 30,000 people; Rs.110 crore allocated.
Kaalnadaigal Kaappom Livestock Insurance Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). New insurance scheme against livestock mortality, disease and disaster loss; Rs.31 crore allocated.
Free Milch Cow Distribution Scheme (Revived: 2026). Reviving a scheme associated with former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, providing milch cows at no cost to 10,000 eligible rural women each year; Rs.57 crore allocated.

Veterinary infrastructure upgrade (2026-27). 41 new veterinary hospital buildings (Rs.47 crore); upgrading of 25 veterinary hospitals to polyclinics and 210 dispensaries to hospitals (Rs.40 crore); 143 new mobile veterinary units (Rs.35 crore).
Fishermen lean-season assistance (enhanced 2026-27). Increased from Rs.6,000 to Rs.7,000 per family, benefiting about 1.93 lakh traditional fishing families; Rs.135 crore allocated. A further Rs.12 crore supports interest subsidy for deep-sea fishing boats.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.4,880 crore for Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare.

12. Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce

New Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy (Announced: 2026-27; under preparation). To foster innovation-led and export-oriented industrial growth, alongside a Tamil Nadu Industrial Capability Directory listing manufacturing and supply capabilities.
Guidance 3.0 and Tamil Nadu Single Window Portal 3.0 (Launched: 2026-27). AI-powered investment-facilitation platform consolidating statutory approvals and clearances on a single interface.
Non-Resident Tamil Investment Facilitation Desk (Launched: 2026-27). Established within Guidance to channel diaspora investment and entrepreneurship.
SIPCOT Industrial Parks in backward districts (Announced: 2026-27). Estimated cost of about Rs.3,200 crore over five years for new district-specific industrial parks.
Space Industrial Investment Zone, Thoothukudi-Tirunelveli (Announced: 2026-27). Anchored by the Kulasekarapattinam spaceport, with an advanced Space Vehicle Common Technical Facility developed with IN-SPACe.
Arivagam AI and Innovation City (Announced: 2026-27). India’s first dedicated AI and deep-tech city, including an AI university and semiconductor hardware testing lab; Rs.5 crore allocated for a feasibility study.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.4,414 crore, following seven Memoranda of Understanding worth Rs.35,062 crore signed since the new government assumed office.

13. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Scheme (ongoing; 2026-27 allocation). Rs.225 crore, alongside Rs.352 crore under the Capital Subsidy Scheme for new entrepreneurs.
Green Steel Production Initiative (Launched: 2026-27). Rs.300 crore estimated over five years to promote environmentally sustainable steel and rolling-mill production; Rs.60 crore allocated in the current year.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.2,142 crore, for a State with 43.47 lakh registered MSMEs, the third-highest count nationally.

14. Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi

Tamil Nadu Institute of Design (Announced: 2026-27). A dedicated institution integrating design education, innovation and entrepreneurship for textiles, apparel and handicrafts; Rs.60 crore estimated.
Technical Textiles Transformation Scheme for Entrepreneurs (Launched: 2026-27). International technical exposure and technology transfer for MSMEs and manufacturers transitioning into technical textiles, delivered through the Tamil Nadu Technical Textiles Mission.
Tamil Nadu Palmyra Development Corporation (Launched: 2026-27). Rs.16 crore to support neera processing, palm jaggery and value-added palm products.
Tiruppur Textiles Technology Centre (Launched: 2026-27). Rs.10 crore to upgrade infrastructure for environmentally sustainable textile production at Tiruppur.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.1,678 crore.

15. Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services

Tamil Nadu Artificial Intelligence Mission (TN AI Mission) (Strengthened: 2026-27). Extended to cover AI, quantum technology and AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality), with applications in health, agriculture, education and public administration.
e-Sevai 2.0 and Namma Arasu WhatsApp Chatbot (Upgraded: 2026-27). All e-Sevai centres upgraded with high-speed connectivity; the chatbot expanded from 76 to 275 public-welfare services across departments.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.398 crore, for a sector generating over Rs.2.5 lakh crore in annual IT exports and employing over 20 lakh people directly and indirectly.

16. Energy

200 Units Free Electricity (Doubled: 2026). Free electricity entitlement for domestic consumers with bi-monthly consumption up to 500 units raised from 100 to 200 units; Rs.1,545 crore allocated.
Rooftop Solar Subsidy Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Subsidy of up to Rs.1 lakh for domestic consumers installing rooftop solar panels, in convergence with the central Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana; Rs.50 crore allocated.
Major generation and transmission projects (ongoing/expedited 2026-27). Udangudi Stage-I and Ennore SEZ thermal projects (2,640 MW); ETPS Expansion Project (about Rs.8,000 crore, PPP mode); Vellimalai Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (Rs.5,050crore); Coimbatore-Ariyalur 765 kV transmission line (about Rs.4,000 crore); Green Energy Corridor Phase-II (Rs.1,187 crore) and Phase-III (Rs.6,884 crore, planned).
BESS Promotion Policy and EV charging infrastructure (Announced: 2026-27). New policy to position Tamil Nadu as a Battery Energy Storage hub; 20,000 public EV charging stations planned over five years under PPP mode, Rs.50 crore allocated in the current year.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.15,828 crore, with a further Rs.18,860 crore allocated for consumer electricity subsidy and Rs.5,000 crore as compensation to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation.

17. Housing and Urban Development

Chennai Metropolitan Area Master Plans (Ongoing 2026-27). Preparation of the Third Master Plan (2027-2046) covering 1,189 sq. km and a Comprehensive Master Plan for the expanded 5,904 sq. km Metropolitan Area; Rs.25 crore sanctioned.
SPEED: Single Platform for Efficient Expedited Development (Launched: 2026-27). AI-enabled online planning-approval system integrating the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, the Directorate of Town and Country Planning and local bodies; Rs.40 crore allocated.
Urban tenement construction (ongoing 2026-27). 24,131 multi-storied tenements to be completed and a further 14,194 to commence construction this year; Rs.1,253 crore allocated.
MY-HOME: Metropolitan Youth and Family Housing Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Pilot in the Chennai Metropolitan Area to develop 1 lakh housing units over seven years for low-income families and youth, expected to draw about Rs.15,000 crore in PPP investment, supported by Rs.3,500 crore in Viability Gap Funding through the Tamil Nadu Shelter Fund.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.8,852 crore.

18. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj

Vetri Veedu Thittam (Launched: 2026-27). New State housing scheme exclusively for families living in kutcha huts; unit cost raised from Rs.3.1 lakh to Rs.5 lakh, with 70,000 houses sanctioned in the first year at an estimated cost of Rs.3,500 crore.
TN-VETRI: Tamil Nadu Village Empowerment, Transformation, Rejuvenation Initiative (Launched: 2026-27). Umbrella scheme integrating water supply, solid-waste management, sanitation and rural-connectivity sub-missions; Rs.6,000 crore annual allocation, including Rs.1,000 crore for peri-urban panchayats and Rs.100 crore/year for hill-area panchayats, overseen by a High-Level Committee chaired by the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.
VB-GRAM(G): Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (Replaced MGNREGS: 2025-26). Restructured rural-employment guarantee under a 60:40 Centre-State sharing pattern; Rs.12,642 crore total allocation for 2026-27, including an unprecedented State contribution of Rs.5,057 crore.
Vetri 150 (Launched: 2026-27). Provides an additional 25 days of guaranteed rural employment to vulnerable households that complete 125 days, extending coverage to 150 days; Rs.100 crore per annum.
Singappenngal Valimaippaduthum Thittam (Launched: 2026-27). Investment subsidy of Rs.5 lakh to Self-Help Group enterprises demonstrating sustainable entrepreneurial performance, alongside a Rs.38,000 crore Annual Credit Plan target for SHG loans.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.39,609 crore for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.

19. Municipal Administration and Water Supply

Chief Minister’s Integrated Urban Development Mission (Launched: 2026-27). Brings urban infrastructure, water supply, sewerage, solid-waste management, green spaces, women’s and children’s safety and AI-driven e-governance under one mission, targeting 2031 completion; Rs.2,117 crore allocated in the current year.
Chennai Ring Main Pipeline (Ongoing; target 2030-31). Connects major drinking-water sources with distribution stations across Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs.3,108 crore.
Cooum and Adyar river restoration (Announced: 2026-27). Global tenders and Detailed Project/Feasibility Reports planned to restore both rivers; part of a wider blue-green infrastructure and urban-flood-mitigation programme.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.29,863 crore for Municipal Administration and Water Supply.

20. Highway and Minor Ports

Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (ongoing; 2026-27 allocation). Rs.9,300 crore for four-laning of State highways, bypass roads, road-safety works, pedestrian overbridges and upgrades of panchayat/panchayat-union roads.
Safe Roads Mission and Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (Launched: 2026-27). AI-based speed and traffic enforcement and dedicated road patrols; Rs.250 crore allocated for pothole/road repair, alongside the ‘Namma Salai’ citizen-reporting mobile application.

Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.21,524 crore for Highways and Minor Ports.

21. Transport

Electric bus procurement (Launched: 2026-27). 1,000 new air-conditioned electric buses for the Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation under the Gross Cost Contract model; Rs.500 crore allocated for depot electrical/mechanical fixtures.
State Transport Undertaking subsidy (2026-27). Rs.7,675 crore operating subsidy, Rs.2,650 crore performance-gap funding and Rs.1,005 crore share-capital assistance.
Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II (Ongoing). 118.9 km across three corridors at an estimated completion cost of Rs.63,246 crore; the first stretch (Poonamallee Bypass to Porur Junction, 14.64 km) nearing commissioning. Three further corridors (Chennai Airport-Kilambakkam; Koyambedu-Pattabiram via Avadi; Poonamallee-Sunguvarchathiram via Sriperumbudur) and a proposed Hosur-Bommasandra cross-border line are under consideration by the Union Government.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.13,561 crore for Transport.

22. Water Resources

Inter-state river-water protection (ongoing). Continued legal, technical and administrative efforts to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s rights under the Cauvery tribunal award and judicial directions, including opposition to the Mekedatu project and pursuit of the Mullai Periyar dam water-level increase and the Godavari-Cauvery river-link project.
River-interlinking projects (Launched: 2026-27). Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar River Linking Project commenced with an initial Rs.150 crore; Rs.50 crore for Detailed Project Reports on the Pennaiyar-Cheyyar, Pennaiyar-Palar and Tamirabarani-Vaippar links; Rs.200 crore total allocated for river-linking initiatives.
River-pollution restoration studies (Announced: 2026-27). Rs.25 crore for feasibility studies on sewerage/effluent treatment and riverfront development along the Cauvery, Vaigai and Tamirabarani; Rs.10 crore each for a Cauvery barrage feasibility study and Cauvery Delta ecological-restoration study.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.9,264 crore for Water Resources.

23. Environment, Climate Change and Forests

TN-SHORE Mangrove Restoration (Launched: 2026-27). Mangrove afforestation and restoration over 2,500 hectares across eight coastal districts (Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Kanniyakumari) under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission; Rs.322 crore allocated.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). Solar and steel-wire-rope fencing, community forest protection and GPS-enabled patrol vehicles across 100 conflict-prone villages in 11 districts; Rs.20 crore allocated.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.1,762 crore for Environment, Climate Change and Forests.

24. Food and Consumer Protection

Doorstep PDS delivery for vulnerable groups (Launched: 2026-27). Priority doorstep delivery of essential commodities to senior citizens, persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities; Rs.7.18 crore allocated.
Packaged wheat-flour pilot (Launched: 2026-27). Pilot distribution of packaged wheat flour through the PDS network to improve quality assurance; Rs.18 crore allocated for the pilot.
Direct paddy procurement (ongoing). Rs.14,018.65 crore allocated in the Agriculture Budget for direct procurement, with incentives of Rs.1,560/MT (Grade A) and Rs.1,310/MT (common); 62.73 lakh MT procured from 6.15 lakh farmers in the 2025-26 marketing season.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.14,830 crore, including a Rs.14,000 crore food-subsidy provision.

25. Home, Prohibition and Excise (law and order)

Singapenn Special Task Force (Constituted: 2026). Dedicated women-centric policing, emergency response, and crime-prevention task force; Rs.354 crore allocated for personnel, infrastructure and equipment.
STING – Special Task Force for Interdiction of Narcotics and Gangs (Formed: 2026). 65 units (one per district plus 28 urban units) empowered to conduct financial investigations and asset freezes against drug trafficking.
De-addiction Rehabilitation Fund (Launched: 2026). Rs.70 crore fund to support rehabilitation of individuals seeking help with drug and substance de-addiction.
Closure of liquor outlets near sensitive locations (Action taken: 2026). 717 retail liquor outlets near educational institutions, places of worship and bus stands closed.
Road Safety Policy and Accident Relief (Launched/enhanced: 2026-27). New five-pillar Road Safety Policy; Rs.200 crore under the Chief Minister’s Accident Relief Fund Scheme and Rs.130 crore under the Road Safety Fund.

Police housing (2026-27). Rs.431 crore for residential quarters benefiting 5,000 police families.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.17,290 crore for Home, Prohibition and Excise.

26. Revenue and Disaster Management

Disaster-response revolving fund (Launched: 2026-27). Rs.50 crore fund, raised via corporate social responsibility contributions through an online portal, to support field-level rescue and relief.
Drought-mitigation allocation (Ordered: 2026). Rs.340 crore released from the State Disaster Management Fund to secure drinking-water sources and cattle fodder during a below-normal south-west monsoon linked to a Super El Nino weather pattern.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.11,532 crore for Revenue and Disaster Management, plus Rs.5,462 crore allocated separately for Social Security Schemes.

27. Commercial Taxes and Registration

Faceless Assessment and Faceless Registration (Launched: 2026). Technology-driven, non-intrusive verification for Goods and Services Tax compliance and document registration, expected to generate about Rs.15,000 crore in additional revenue together with end-to-end mining-activity computerisation.
Anywhere Registration (Announced: 2026-27). Phased move toward paperless, presence-less property registration with legal amendments aligned to Supreme Court rulings, aimed at protecting buyers from fraudulent registrations.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.651 crore for Commercial Taxes and Rs.475 crore for Stamps and Registration.

28. Natural Resources

Illegal-mining enforcement drive (Ongoing since May 2026). 1,307 vehicles seized, and 1,161 First Information Reports filed for illicit mineral smuggling in the government’s first three months; 431 quarries inspected with violations detected in 155 cases.
End-to-end Mineral Management System (Launched: 2026-27). Real-time monitoring of mineral production and movement, supported by new district-level vigilance and enforcement wings; Rs.3 crore allocated.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.438 crore for Natural Resources.

29. Welfare of Government Employees

New Health Insurance Scheme, 2026 for Government Employees and Pensioners (Launched: 1 July 2026, for five years to 30 June 2031). Basic sum insured raised from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.7.5 lakh, specified-illness coverage from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.12 lakh, and the rare-illness corpus fund from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.15 lakh; covers 2,992 procedures and 46 specified illnesses through 1,535 empanelled hospitals; Rs.838 crore allocated to implement the scheme.
Pensions and Other Retirement Benefits allocation (Revised Budget Estimates

2026-27): Rs.47,240 crore, the single largest departmental allocation in the Budget.

30. Tourism, Art and Culture

Sustainable Tourism Development Fund (Announced: 2026-27). A statutory fund to be created through a Bill introduced in the current Assembly session, intended to mobilise resources and catalyse private investment in tourism infrastructure.
Mahabalipuram global-destination development (Proposed: 2026-27). Detailed proposal submitted to the Union Government’s iconic-destination scheme seeking a Rs.200 crore central grant.
River tourism development (Launched: 2026-27). Rs.53 crore to develop riverfronts along the Kaveri (Hogenakkal-Srirangam), Vaigai (Madurai) and Thamirabarani (Papanasam-Tirunelveli) rivers; a further Rs.20 crore for Food and Arts Festivals promoting culinary and artistic heritage.
Tamil Nadu Eco-Tourism Mission (Launched: 2026-27). Develops nature-based tourism circuits — trekking, wildlife safaris, birding and boating trails — with community participation; Rs.25 crore allocated.
Folk Artists Livelihood Protection Scheme (Launched: 2026-27). 200 best-performing registered folk-art troupes selected annually for 100 days of paid performance opportunities; Rs.23 crore allocated.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.775 crore for Tourism, Art and Culture (including Tamil Development initiatives such as the Tamil Large Language Model project through the Tamil Virtual Academy).

31. Charitable Endowments

Temple renovation and consecration programme (Five-year plan announced 2026-27). Renovation and Thirukudamuzhukku (consecration) at 3,000 temples, restoration of 250 temple tanks and repair of 75 wooden temple cars over five years.

Ancient temple restoration (ongoing 2026-27). Rs.418 crore allocated for restoration and conservation at 213 temples over a thousand years old; notifications issued for appointment of trustees to 9,205 temples.

Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.708 crore for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments.

32. Finance, Planning and Development

Governance Processes Reforms Committee (Constituted: 2026-27). Chaired by the Chief Secretary, tasked with re-engineering bureaucratic processes and building a technology-enabled, citizen-friendly and business-friendly governance ecosystem, alongside a planned Right to Services Act.
Revenue Augmentation Committee (Constituted: 2026). Chaired by economist Thiru Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairperson of the Union Planning Commission, with five other members, to advise on sustainable growth of the State’s tax and non-tax revenue; a parallel Expenditure Reforms Committee is also planned.
Tender and procurement reforms (Implemented: 2026). Abolition of mandatory certificate requirements for contractors, cross-department tender eligibility, and relaxed eligibility criteria for low-value procurements, aimed at improving competition and reducing costs.
Function. This is primarily an internal fiscal-governance and revenue-mobilisation function rather than a direct scheme-delivery department; it does not carry its own beneficiary-facing scheme budget line in the Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27.

33. Law Department

Law Department Internship Programme (Launched: 2022-23, continuing): Provides practical legal training to law graduates; the programme has been expanded from 17 to 28 interns, with the monthly stipend increased from Rs.20,000 to Rs.25,000 from 2025-26. Forty-nine graduates had completed the programme by 2026-27.
Special Government Law College, Madurai (Proposed for 2027-28): A specialised Government Law College with an intake of 300 students is proposed at Madurai, on the model and academic standard of the School of Excellence in Law.
State Law Commission, Law Reform Programme (Continuing; reconstituted in 2026): The Commission reviews existing State laws and recommends repeal, consolidation or amendment of outdated enactments. Between 2017 and 2026, it submitted 78 reports covering 2,272 enactments, including recommendations concerning 336 Principal Acts and 1,887 Amendment Acts.
Tamil as a Legal Language (Continuing; strengthened 2026-27): Supports the development of Tamil legal terminology, translation of Central laws and Tamil-language legal education. Seven Central Acts have been translated and approved, while further translations are in progress; Rs.3 crore is allocated for translating judgments and strengthening the use of Tamil in legal proceedings.
Government Law Colleges and Legal Education (Continuing): Fifteen Government Law Colleges together have a sanctioned strength of 17,886 students for 2026-27, including 9,980 seats in five-year integrated programmes, 7,066 in three-year LL.B. programmes and 840 in LL.M. programmes.

34. Legislative Assembly Department

Legislative Assembly Administration (Continuing): Provides the institutional and administrative machinery required for sittings of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, including legislative business, Assembly records, questions, motions, committees and other procedural work.
Digital and Administrative Modernisation of the Legislature (Continuing): Supports the electronic management of legislative documents, records and proceedings and the wider use of digital systems for Assembly administration and information access.
Legislative Business and Committee Support (Continuing): Provides secretariat assistance for the legislative process and Assembly committees, including preparation and circulation of legislative documents and maintenance of official proceedings.
Departmental allocation: The department is principally an institutional/administrative demand rather than a conventional welfare-scheme department; therefore, no distinct beneficiary-oriented scheme allocation is stated separately in the material reviewed.

35. Mudalvarin Mugavari Department

Mudalvarin Mugavari / Chief Minister’s Grievance Redressal System (Launched: 2021, continuing): Provides a centralised mechanism for citizens to submit petitions and grievances, track their progress and obtain departmental action through a single government grievance-redressal framework.
Makkaludan Mudhalvar Grievance Camps (Launched: 2021, continuing): Takes grievance redressal to citizens through special camps across the State. Under the earlier phase, 4,835 camps were conducted and more than 23.50 lakh petitions were addressed.
Ungaludan Stalin Grievance Camps (Launched: 2025-26/continuing): Expanded doorstep-style grievance access through camps in urban and rural areas. About 10,000 camps were conducted across districts, receiving approximately 38.53 lakh petitions, of which around 38.48 lakh had been resolved according to the interim budget account.
Integrated Grievance Monitoring (Continuing): Consolidates petitions for monitoring, departmental follow-up and review, strengthening direct citizen-government interaction and enabling senior-level monitoring of pending grievances.
Departmental note: The department is primarily a citizen-service and grievance-redressal institution. A separate scheme-level 2026-27 outlay is not stated in the material reviewed.

36. Public Department

General State Administration and Secretariat Coordination (Continuing): The Public Department performs core Secretariat functions relating to State-level administration, inter-departmental coordination, public administration and matters requiring overall governmental oversight.
State-level Administrative Coordination (Continuing): Supports coordination on matters involving the Governor, Council of Ministers, Secretariat administration and other subjects assigned to the Public Department.
Government Communication and Administrative Support (Continuing): Provides institutional support for orders, correspondence, coordination and implementation of decisions requiring action across multiple departments.
Departmental note: The Public Department is primarily an administrative and coordinating department rather than a conventional scheme-delivery department. The reviewed 2026-27 material does not identify a separate flagship beneficiary scheme or distinct scheme-level outlay.

37. Public (Elections) Department

Election Administration and Coordination (Continuing): Provides the State-level administrative machinery for conducting elections, voter-related coordination and election preparedness in accordance with constitutional and statutory requirements and in coordination with the Election Commission of India.
Electoral Roll and Election Management Support (Continuing): Supports preparation, revision and maintenance of electoral information and administrative arrangements necessary for elections to the State Legislative Assembly and other elections for which the State machinery is involved.
Electoral Logistics and Infrastructure (Continuing): Coordinates the State’s administrative requirements for secure handling and movement of election materials, including electronic voting machines and election-related records.
Departmental note: No separate flagship beneficiary scheme is identified under Public (Elections) in the reviewed 2026-27 material. Major election infrastructure expenditure may also appear under other departments; for example, PWD is implementing EVM storage warehouses in six districts at an estimated cost of Rs.36.38 crore.

38. Public Works Department

Government Building Works Programme (Continuing; 2026-27): Provides capital construction and major building works for different State departments. The 2026-27 PWD allocation is Rs.1,916.52 crore, including Rs.1,226.53 crore for capital works, Rs.332.95 crore for establishment and Rs.188.67 crore for maintenance and repairs.
Vaigai-Tamil Nadu House Redevelopment, Chanakyapuri (Continuing; 2026-27): Redevelopment of Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi into VVIP, Guest House and Staff Quarters blocks; Rs.257 crore is allocated for the project.
Unity Mall, Egmore (Continuing; 2026-27): Construction of a Unity Mall at the Co-optex campus, Egmore, under the Special Assistance Scheme, intended to promote district products and provide an integrated retail platform; Rs.227 crore allocated.
EVM Storage Warehouses (2026-27): Construction of secure electronic voting machine storage facilities in Ranipet, Tirupathur, Tenkasi, Kallakurichi, Mayiladuthurai and Chengalpattu; Rs.36.38 crore allocated.
Government Building Maintenance (2026-27): Maintenance and repair of Ministers’ Government Houses, Inspection Bungalows, Circuit Houses, PWD offices and government staff quarters; Rs.188.67 crore allocated.
Public Building Safety and Quality Control (Continuing; strengthened 2026-27): Buildings more than 50 years old require structural stability certification after inspection, while the Quality Control Wing conducts testing according to Bureau of Indian Standards requirements. The department also operates 13 electrical divisions and regulates boiler safety under the Boilers Act, 2025.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.1,916.52 crore.

39. Social Reforms Department

Social Reform and Institutional Measures (Continuing): The department is concerned with social-reform policy, elimination of discriminatory practices and institutional measures intended to promote social equality and dignity.
Social Justice and Anti-Discrimination Measures (Continuing): Supports policy coordination and implementation of government measures addressing social discrimination, equality and reform-oriented administration.
Departmental note: Unlike welfare departments, the Social Reforms Department does not appear in the reviewed 2026-27 material as a conventional scheme-delivery department with separately listed beneficiary schemes. No distinct scheme-level outlay has therefore been assigned here without documentary support.

40. Special Programme Implementation Department

State-level Programme Implementation and Monitoring (Continuing): Coordinates and monitors major government announcements, flagship programmes and cross-departmental projects, ensuring that implementation progress is reviewed at the State level.
Naan Mudhalvan (Launched: 2022, continuing): Major skilling and employability mission for Tamil Nadu youth, providing industry-oriented training, certifications, internships and career support. By the 2026 interim-budget account, 48,65,050 skill certificates had been issued to college students, with selected students also participating in international training programmes.
Kalloori Kanavu (Continuing): Career-guidance initiative for students completing school education, helping them select appropriate higher-education courses based on interests, aptitude and career opportunities; 2.68 lakh students had benefited according to the 2026 interim-budget account.
Vetri Nichayam (Continuing/expanded): Skill-development and employment-preparation initiative implemented through the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation; 16,815 youth had completed training and received certificates, while around 70,500 were undergoing training according to the interim-budget account.
Ungal Thoguthiyil Muthalamaichar / Constituency Priority Works (Continuing): Implements priority works arising from long-standing constituency-level public demands. The interim-budget account reported 1,410 works taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.15,467 crore, with 1,394 works ordered and 808 completed.
Departmental allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.17,150 crore.

41. Tamil Development and Information Department

Thirukkural Recitation Incentive (Launched: 2026-27): Provides an incentive award of Rs.5,000 each to 500 primary-school students who memorise and recite 300 Thirukkural couplets, encouraging early engagement with classical Tamil literature.
Tamil Scholars Support and Language Competitions (2026-27): Enhances financial support for Tamil scholars and organises State-wide essay and elocution competitions for college students, including programmes associated with remembrance of Tamil-language martyrs.
Quaid-e-Millat Award (Launched: 2026-27): A new annual award is being instituted on Thiruvalluvar Thirunaal to honour the legacy of Quaid-e-Millat and his contribution to Tamil language and public life.
Tamil Large Language Model / Tamil AI Language Technology (Launched: 2026-27): Through the Tamil Virtual Academy, the Government will develop a Tamil Large Language Model and deploy AI-based language-technology tools for official government communications, in collaboration with leading universities.
Archaeological and Heritage Educational Tours (Launched: 2026-27): School students will be taken to important archaeological and heritage sites such as Keeladi, Adichanallur, Kodumanal, Mayiladumparai, Sivakalai, Alagankulam, Arikamedu, Saluvankuppam and Kaveripattinam to strengthen experiential learning; Rs.1 crore is allocated.
Information and Publicity allocation (Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27): Rs.292.77 crore for the Information and Public Relations/Information and Publicity demand, of which Rs.278.91 crore is under the 2220 Information and Publicity head. The wider Tamil Development component also includes language-development and official-language activities.

Conclusion:

The analysis of the Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27 and the Agriculture Budget reveals that the change of government in Tamil Nadu in May 2026 has led to continuity in welfare governance, along with an increasing focus on technology and fiscal sustainability. This is not a clean break from the policies and priorities of the previous government, but a continuation of many major welfare programmes, along with the introduction of priorities relating to AI and digital governance and development.

Firstly, the continuity of welfare is a key feature, even in light of the change in government. Programmes like Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam, Pudhumai Penn, Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai and free bus travel for women remain. However, the government has also launched or enhanced welfare schemes of its own, such as Annan’s Seer Thittam, which got Rs.812 crore and Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme, which got Rs.710 crore. The continued allocation of Rs.23,357 crore to Health and Family Welfare and Rs.9,818 crore to Social Welfare and Women Empowerment shows the continued significance of welfare in governance in the state. In this way, the data shows continuity in policies, with some modifications, rather than just the survival of schemes across governments.

Secondly, the new policy framework reflects an increasing focus on AI and digital governance. This is clearly seen from the enhancement of the TN AI mission, e-Sevai 2.0, Namma Arasu WhatsApp chatbot, AI guidance 3.0 and Arivagam AI and Innovation City. In addition, the budget allocation of Rs.398 crores for the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services sector makes the emerging priority clear. Therefore, in addition to being an economic sector, AI can also be seen as a means for increasing state capability and governance.

Thirdly, such emerging priorities reflect a tension between welfare commitment and revenue mobilisation and expenditure reform. The fiscal position of the State and its debts make such policy issues relevant. However, substantial funding continues to be allocated to pensions and subsidies. Pensions and other retirement schemes amount to Rs.47,240 crores and electricity subsidies to Rs.18,860 crores. The establishment of the Revenue Augmentation and Expenditure Reforms mechanisms clearly demonstrates the attempt to deal with such tensions.

In sum, governance in Tamil Nadu after 2026 may be seen as an effort to reconcile the goals of social welfare, technology and economics with fiscal prudence. The primary issue that will confront the new government is whether technology and economics can improve the capacity of the state to deliver the growth necessary to fund its extensive welfare obligations.

References:

1. Government of Tamil Nadu, Finance Department. (2026, August 5). Speech of the Minister for Finance, Planning and Development, Dr. N. Marie Wilson, presenting the revised budget estimates for the year 2026–2027. https://www.tnbudget.tn.gov.in/indexE.html

2. Government of Tamil Nadu, Finance Department. (2026). Budget speech archive, 2019–2026. https://financedept.tn.gov.in/en/budget-speech/

3. Government of Tamil Nadu, Finance Department. (2026). Budget publications and Citizen’s Guide to the Budget. https://financedept.tn.gov.in/en/budget-publications/

4. Government of Tamil Nadu, Finance Department. (2026). Budget 2026–27: Fiscal highlights. https://financedept.tn.gov.in/budget/

5. Government of Tamil Nadu, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department. (2026).

Schemes and programmes. https://www.agri.tn.gov.in/

6. Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Health and Family Welfare. (2026).

Schemes and programmes. https://www.tnhealth.tn.gov.in/

7. Government of Tamil Nadu, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department. (2026). Women welfare schemes. https://www.tnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in/en/specilisations/women-welfare

8. Government of Tamil Nadu, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department. (2026). Tamil Pudhalvan scheme. https://www.tnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in/en/specilisationswoman-welfare/tamil-pudhalv an

9. Government of Tamil Nadu, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. (2026). Schemes and programmes. https://www.tnrd.tn.gov.in/

10. Government of Tamil Nadu. (2026). Tamil Nadu government portal—Documents. https://www.tn.gov.in/documents/category/4

11. PRS Legislative Research. (2024). Tamil Nadu budget analysis 2024–25. https://prsindia.org/budgets/states/tamil-nadu-budget-analysis-2024-25

12. PRS Legislative Research. (2025). Tamil Nadu budget analysis 2025–26. https://prsindia.org/files/budget/budget_state/tamil-nadu/2025/TN_Budget_Analysis_ 2025-26.pdf

13. ANI News. (2026, August 5). TN Finance Minister Marie Wilson tables maiden budget for 2026–27. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/tn-finance-minister-marie-wilso n-tables-maiden-budget-for-2026-2720260805102112/

14. Careers360. (2026, August 5). TN Budget 2026–27: Breakfast scheme till Class 8; laptops for college students; 1 lakh hostel beds. https://news.careers360.com/tamil-nadu-education-budget-2026-27-breakfast-15-lakh

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15. DT Next. (2026, August 5). TN Budget 2026 highlights: Rs 44,527 crore for school education, Rs 9,818 crore for social welfare. https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/tamil-nadu-budget-2026-live-vijay-govt-to-pre sent-maiden-state-budget-today

16. DT Next. (2026, February 17). Tamil Nadu budget 2026–27 LIVE: Thangam Thennarasu tables interim budget amid election-year agenda. https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/tamil-nadu-budget-2026-27-live-thangam-then narasu-to-table-budget-amid-election-year-agenda

17. The South First. (2026, August 5). TN Budget pushes for NEET ban, focuses on education, infrastructure and revenue. https://thesouthfirst.com/tamilnadu/live-marie-wilson-to-present-tvk-led-government s-maiden-budget-at-10-am/

18. The News Minute. (2026, February 17). TN allocates Rs 22,090 crore to Health Department in 2026–27 budget. https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/tn-allocates-rs-22090-crore-to-health-de partment-in-202627-budget

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22. The Federal. (2026, August 5). TN Budget: TVK government charts four-pillar plan to fix fiscal challenges. https://thefederal.com/category/states/south/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-tvk-maiden-budge t-marie-wilson-fiscal-revival-roadmap-252618

About the Contributor

Raushan Raj is a Research and Editorial Intern at the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) and a second-year Master’s student in Defence and Strategic Studies at the Central University of Gujarat, specializing in International Relations, Geopolitics, and Non-traditional Security, with a background in Political Science.

Acknowlwdgements

The author extends sincere gratitude to the IMPRI team for their expert guidance and to the reviewers.

Reviewed by: Shivali Yadav and Gayathry Sanjay Balram

Published by : Prisha Sachdeva

Disclaimer

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of IMPRI.

Policy UpdateRaushan Raj