Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Marie Wilson on Wednesday presented the first Budget of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government for the financial year 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly.
The maiden Budget of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's government outlined major spending plans for education, welfare, healthcare and economic growth, while setting an ambitious target of making Tamil Nadu a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2036.
The Budget session also marked the first major legislative face-off between Chief Minister Vijay and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Free bicycles, helmets and bottle holders for students
To encourage education and improve student welfare, the government announced that bicycles worth Rs 277 crore, along with helmets and bottle holders, will be distributed to Generation Z students across the state.
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The initiative aims to improve access to education while promoting road safety among students.
Rs 2,000 crore for free laptops
Under the 'Vetri Madikanini Thittam', the government will spend Rs 2,000 crore to provide laptops to college students.
The scheme is intended to strengthen digital learning and improve access to technology in higher education.
Gold rings for babies born in government hospitals
The Budget allocated Rs 560 crore for the 'Thaai Maaman Thanga Modhira Thittam', under which one-gram gold rings will be presented to babies born in government hospitals.
The welfare scheme is aimed at supporting newborns and their families.
Education receives major boost
Education emerged as one of the biggest priorities in the Budget.
The government announced Rs 2,132 crore to modernise government schools across Tamil Nadu.
An additional Rs 300 crore has been earmarked for education-related initiatives during the current financial year, while Rs 25 crore will be spent on restructuring the state's school curriculum.
The government also allocated Rs 125 crore to establish 'Perunthalaivar Kamarajar' modern residential schools.
Overall, the Budget provides Rs 44,527 crore for the School Education Department and Rs 8,393 crore for the Higher Education Department.
New schemes for cleaner campuses and drug-free schools
The government allocated Rs 139 crore for the 'Super Clean Super Campus' scheme to improve sanitation and infrastructure in educational institutions.
It also announced Rs 7 crore under the 'Drug Free Tamil Nadu' initiative to strengthen awareness and preventive measures against substance abuse.
