TVK govt's maiden Budget's key highlights. (File Photo)
Chennai: Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, TVK government on Wednesday presented its maiden Tamil Nadu Budget 2026, unveiling a series of welfare measures, education reforms and technology-driven initiatives. State Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson, during his 2.5-hour Budget speech, announced schemes ranging from marriage assistance and AI education to sports development and industrial growth.
One of the biggest announcements was the launch of the 'Annan Seer Thittam', under which eligible women will receive an 8-gram gold coin and a silk saree at the time of marriage. The government has earmarked ₹812 crore for the scheme.
Another welfare initiative, the 'Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam', will provide a one-gram gold ring to newborn babies delivered in government hospitals. The scheme has been allocated ₹560 crore.
The Budget also announced the establishment of 'Thai Care' maternity support centres across Tamil Nadu and 500 new Anganwadi centres to strengthen maternal and child welfare services.
Education received one of the highest allocations in the Budget.
School Education Department: ₹44,527 crore
Higher Education Department: ₹8,393 crore
Under the Vetri Laptop Scheme, the government will distribute free laptops to college students with an allocation of ₹2,000 crore to improve digital learning.
The government will also create a world-level Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum drafted by an expert committee made up of academicians and industry experts.
In addition, AI skill training will be provided to 5 lakh engineering and polytechnic students.
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Five new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
A New Special Government Law College
10,000 “Super Clean, Super Campus” schools
The “Super Safe, Super Schools” programme will continue as well
India’s First AI And Innovation City ‘Arivagam’
In a move to speed up technology, the government announced a planned India’s first AI and innovation city called ‘Arivagam’.
The project will comprise an AI university, an international skill development centre, semiconductor testing facilities, innovation incubators and residential infrastructure. A feasibility study will be undertaken for an estimated cost of ₹5 crore.
The government also said it would unveil a new Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy to promote innovation, emerging industries, exports and sustainable development while expanding logistics parks, dry ports and petrochemical industries.
Reiterating its long-standing position, TVK government once again opposed the NEET examination. It said medical admissions should be based on Class 12 marks and pledged to continue urging the Union government to abolish the entrance test.
The government also earmarked ₹1,051 crore for Youth Welfare and Sports Development
Major sports budgets announcements:
10 Olympic Excellence Centres for Tamil Nadu
₹42 crore for rural traditional sports
One hour of sports training after school everyday
₹22 crore sports assistance for sportspersons
The Social Justice Department received ₹3,937 crore in the Budget, including ₹300 crore for the Ayothidasa Pandithar Habitat Development Scheme.
The government also announced:
'Aran' shelter homes for transgender persons for whom there's no family/societal support in five districts.
A mobile app to report drug-related activities in its ongoing anti-drug drive.
New mangrove forests in eight coastal districts under the TN-SHORE scheme to boost climate resilience and support coastal conservation.
The maiden Budget of the Vijay-led TVK government is a cocktail of welfare schemes, reforms in education, digitalisation, industry growth, in keeping with the government's stand on NEET along with a keen focus on social justice, technology and sustainable development.
