As the Assembly convenes on Wednesday for the first budget session of the new government, the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK are bracing for a heated face-off, with the ruling party expected to bring the alleged violence and women safety issues triggered by the speech and arrest of Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Taking into consideration Tamil Nadu's current financial situation after thorough reviews, the chief minister has finalised some key announcements for the budget.
Notably, a vision plan titled "Vetri Tamilagam" (Prosperous Tamil Nadu) is likely to be unveiled.
TVK leadership has fielded a set of vocal ministers Nirmal Kumar, Aadhav Arjuna, Rajmohan and Ramesh to counter the DMK’s charge in the Assembly and respond to anticipated questions.
State Finance Minister N Marie Wilson will present the budget for the financial year 2026-2027.
Tamil Nadu has allocated ₹250 crore for tribal habitations to improve housing, roads, drinking water, livelihoods and education infrastructure.
₹1,485 crore has been allocated for the welfare of persons with disabilities, while ₹9,818 crore has been earmarked for social welfare and women's rights.
The government will continue providing marriage assistance, including 8 grams of gold and a silk saree, with an allocation of ₹812 crore.
Minority welfare measures include increasing the Haj subsidy from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000, support for Christian and Muslim women's self-help groups, and ₹34 crore for the development of burial grounds and cemeteries.
The Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme has been extended to students of Classes 6 to 8, benefiting 15.14 lakh students, with an allocation of ₹710 crore.
The government will establish 12 new old age homes across 12 districts with an allocation of ₹6.6 crore.
New initiatives for the transgender community include subsidised self-employment loans with grants of up to ₹50,000, 'Aran' shelter homes in five districts and short-stay homes in 15 districts.
Around 500 dilapidated Anganwadi centres will be rebuilt with improved child-friendly infrastructure, including drinking water, toilets and electricity.
Senior citizens' recreation centres with libraries, yoga, meditation and indoor recreational facilities will be established initially in five districts.
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that it will establish five regional cancer care hospitals under a hub-and-spoke model to strengthen oncology services across the state. The Budget also allocates ₹10 crore for cancer research and development.
The Tamil Nadu government has allocated ₹560 crore for the Thaai Maaman Gold Coin Scheme, under which children born in government hospitals will receive a 1-gram gold coin as a gift to celebrate childbirth and honour motherhood.
தமிழ்நாடு நிதிநிலை அறிக்கை 2026-27
— Dr N. Marie Wilson (@MarieWilson_TVK) August 5, 2026
அரசு மருத்துவமனைகளில் பிறக்கும் குழந்தைகளின் பிறப்பைக் கொண்டாடும் வகையிலும், தாய்மையைப் போற்றும் வகையிலும் தாய்மாமனின் அன்பளிப்பாக 1 கிராம் தங்க மோதிரம் வழங்கும் 'தாய்மாமன் தங்க மோதிரம் திட்டம்' செயல்படுத்தப்படுகிறது!
இத்திட்டத்திற்காக ₹560… pic.twitter.com/f6LloVA8ai
The 2026-27 Budget says the state will continue to urge the Union government to abolish NEET and restore medical admissions based on Class 12 board examination marks.
தமிழ்நாடு நிதிநிலை அறிக்கை 2026-27
— Dr N. Marie Wilson (@MarieWilson_TVK) August 5, 2026
நீட் தேர்வு முறையினை உடனடியாக இரத்து செய்து, 12 ஆம் வகுப்பு பொதுத்தேர்வின் அடிப்படையில் மருத்துவக் கல்விக்கான சேர்க்கையைத் தொடர்ந்திட ஒன்றிய அரசிடம் தொடர்ந்து வலியுறுத்தப்படுகிறது.#TNBudget2026 #TVK #CMVijay #TNGovt #TNAssembly pic.twitter.com/DrnqMR8D8Y
Finance Minister Marie Wilson said Tamil Nadu's financial liabilities have doubled over the past five years. She said the government has introduced a more transparent and accountable tendering system, replacing what it described as the earlier practice of awarding contracts to a select group of preferred entities or political affiliates.
The Tamil Nadu government has announced an AI Economy Mission to train 5 lakh young people in artificial intelligence skills by 2031. The programme will be integrated into engineering colleges, polytechnic institutions and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state.
An expert committee comprising academicians and industry leaders will be constituted to develop a dedicated AI curriculum aligned with industry requirements.
The government will provide bicycles, helmets and water bottles to 5.32 lakh Class XI students studying in government and government-aided schools. The scheme will be implemented for Rs 277 crore.
The Tamil Nadu government will modernise public libraries by converting them into digital libraries with enhanced facilities. Co-working spaces will also be established in all district libraries. A sum of Rs 10 crore has been allocated for the initiative.
To strengthen anti-drug measures in schools, the Tamil Nadu government will form anti-drug clubs and volunteer units and publicise the 10581 helpline to create awareness. A 'Drug-Free Tamil Nadu' mobile application will also be launched, allowing students and teachers to anonymously report drug-related activities. The government has allocated Rs 7
In a significant move for rural and underprivileged students, the government announced the establishment of modern residential schools under the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Model Schools scheme. With an initial investment of Rs 125 crore, these schools will provide education, housing, and healthcare to students from the ninth to the twelfth grade at no cost to their families.
To modernise government schools across Tamil Nadu and equip them with all essential infrastructure, the state government will introduce the 'Palli Niraivu Thittam'. Under the scheme, infrastructure facilities will be upgraded in 3,734 government schools, including 2,514 primary schools, 365 middle schools, and 855 high and higher secondary schools, at an estimated cost of Rs 2,132 crore. For the current financial year, the government has allocated Rs 300 crore for implementing the scheme.
The Tamil Nadu government will launch the 'Super Clean, Super Campus' scheme to ensure clean and safe school campuses. The initiative will provide for daily campus cleaning, safe drinking water, and round-the-clock security. It is being introduced with an integrated approach to provide professional housekeeping, maintenance, and security services across government schools. To be implement in 10,000 schemes in the first phase with an allocation of Rs 139 crores this year.
