Vijay Budget Boosts Welfare and Education
The Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government has presented its first full Tamil Nadu Budget for 2026-27, combining new welfare promises with major allocations for education, roads and urban development. Finance Minister Marie Wilson also confirmed that existing welfare schemes would continue.
Tamil Nadu Budget Expands Welfare Schemes
The government announced an eight-gram gold coin and silk saree for eligible brides under an expanded marriage-assistance programme. Every child born in a government hospital will receive a one-gram gold ring through the Thai Maman Gold Ring Scheme, which carries an estimated annual cost of ₹755.83 crore.
The Budget also retained welfare programmes introduced by previous governments, signalling that benefits would not be withdrawn following the change in administration. This includes continuing support for women, students and other eligible groups.
Free Laptops and Bicycles for Students
School education received ₹44,527 crore, making it one of the Budget’s largest departmental allocations. The government earmarked ₹2,000 crore for free laptops and announced free bicycles equipped with helmets and bottle holders for students.
New education initiatives include cleaner campuses, anti-drug clubs and curriculum updates covering artificial intelligence and robotics. The government also plans to modernise residential schools and improve digital access for students.
A further ₹1,485 crore has been allocated for the welfare of persons with disabilities, including funding for AI-powered assistive devices.
Roads and Urban Development Get Boost
The highways and road-development sector received ₹21,524 crore. The government announced a Safe Roads Mission and a “Namma Salai” application to improve road monitoring and public reporting.
Municipal administration and water supply received ₹29,863 crore, up from ₹26,678 crore previously. The allocation includes plans to restore polluted Chennai waterways and strengthen urban infrastructure.
The government also outlined affordable housing, an AI-based governance platform and an economic target of $1.5 trillion for Tamil Nadu.
