What is the Tamil Nadu Government One Gram Gold Ring Scheme?

The scheme envisaged providing a gold ring to all babies born in government hospitals in Tamil Nadu. Image used to represent | Photo credit: Getty Images

Story so far: On 7 March 2026, ahead of the Assembly elections, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President C. Joseph Vijay unveiled the party’s first set of election promises targeting women and youth during the International Women’s Day celebrations organized by the party in Mamallapuram. Among the promises he made if elected to power was the introduction of Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam (maternal uncle’s gold ring scheme). The scheme envisaged providing a gold ring to all babies born in government hospitals in Tamil Nadu. Now, as the Chief Minister, Mr. Vijay has announced the planned launch of this program. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What are the costs?

According to the state government’s order issued on June 23 this year, ₹755.83 crore will be earmarked annually for the implementation of the scheme. Gold rings would be earned for 4,41,667 government hospital supplies.

How many deliveries are made in Tamil Nadu in a year?

The state records about 7.8 lakh births, with institutional births accounting for about 99.9% of all births, according to the National Family Health Survey-6. Of this, government health facilities account for nearly 4.4 lakh deliveries, or approximately 53%. Of the approximately 4.4 million annual deliveries recorded in government health facilities across Tamil Nadu, medical college hospitals account for 54%, district and sub-district hospitals 37% and primary health centers 9%.

Who is eligible for the program and what will the children get?

A resident of Tamil Nadu is eligible for the scheme. All pregnant women giving birth in government institutions should be registered with PICME and have an RCH ID. The program extends coverage to all newborns regardless of birth order.

A one gram (22 carat) gold ring with a blister card will be provided to the newborns along with the baby care kit. The front of the blister card will bear the logo of the Tamil Nadu government, the portrait of the Chief Minister and the name of the scheme.

How does the scheme work?

The scheme will work on a hub-and-spokes model. A group of 94 high-volume Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) centers, representing 82% of government supplies, will serve as primary logistics centers.

The dean of the medical college hospital or the chief medical officer or the medical superintendent of the district headquarters hospital or sub-district hospital will be designated as the guardian. The remaining 18% of deliveries are spread over smaller facilities. For these beam facilities, 24 hubs will act as consolidated distribution hubs.

Who will procure the gold rings?

The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) will procure the one gram gold rings and supply them based on the annual indent given by the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. TNMSC empaneled suppliers will supply rings directly to 94 hospitals designated as centers. A state project program management unit, a specialized administrative body, will be established for the implementation, monitoring and management of the scheme.

Each ring will be securely packaged in a clear polycarbonate blister card with a tamper proof seal. Each unit will bear a unique serial number corresponding to the lot/batch number, unique hallmark identification and BIS hallmark/certificate details to ensure full traceability.

What was the controversy surrounding the scheme?

One of the controversial aspects of the scheme was the decision to entrust TNMSC, an agency set up to ensure the availability of essential drugs in government hospitals, to purchase gold rings. Despite opposition parties, TNMSC recently floated tenders for procurement of 1,28,499 one-gram gold rings for a four-month period. Work orders were issued to two jewelers in the ratio of 70:30.

When the program was announced, medical associations also questioned the administrative burden and cost involved in conducting Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam.

When does the scheme start?

Tenders for the purchase of a gold ring were issued to successful applicants. The state government announced that Mr. Vijay would inaugurate the initiative on September 15, the birth anniversary of former chief minister and Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai.

However, this scheme will be applicable retroactively from June 22, Mr. Vijay’s birthday. This means that babies born in government hospitals from June 22, 2026 onwards will be entitled to one gram gold ring.

Published – 28 Aug 2026 13:17 IST