Vijay to launch 1-gram gold ring scheme for newborns on Sept 28: Who is eligible?

Under the scheme, eligible newborns delivered in government hospitals will receive a one-gram gold ring.

The benefit will be extended retrospectively to babies born in government hospitals from June 22, 2026, with arrangements being made for their distribution.

The launch was earlier scheduled for September 15 but was subsequently postponed.

EC nod needed in two bypoll constituencies

The rollout comes ahead of the October 6 Assembly by-elections in Tamil Nadu.

According to Election Commission sources cited in NDTV report, the scheme cannot be launched in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies without the Commission's permission.

The state government has reportedly obtained EC clearance for the expansion of its free breakfast scheme, but not yet for the gold-ring initiative.

What is the 'Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram' scheme?

The scheme draws on the Tamil tradition of 'Thai Maman Seer', under which a maternal uncle presents gifts to a newborn.

The government has said it is adopting the symbolic role of the maternal uncle by gifting a gold ring to newborns.

The stated objectives include strengthening public confidence in government healthcare, encouraging deliveries at government hospitals and celebrating childbirth while reflecting Tamil cultural traditions.

Tamil Nadu records around 7.8 lakh births annually, with the overwhelming majority taking place in hospitals. Government hospitals account for roughly 4.2 lakh deliveries, or about 53 per cent, according to figures cited by the state government.

Who will get the gold ring?

The scheme is open to newborns whose mothers are permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and are registered on PICME (Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation) with a valid RCH identification number.

The benefit will be available irrespective of the child's gender or birth order. The state has also put in place identification and tracking measures, with each ring carrying a unique serial number and being supplied in tamper-proof packaging.

The government has procured 1,28,499 rings for the initial four-month period, with orders placed with Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers in a 70:30 ratio.

Distribution to begin through 107 hubs

The rings will be distributed through a network of 107 hubs. Going forward, eligible newborns are expected to receive the ring before leaving the government hospital.

The government has made an annual budgetary provision of Rs 755.83 crore for the scheme, covering an estimated 4,41,667 one-gram rings over a year.

The first batch of 1.28 lakh rings was estimated to cost around Rs 220 crore.

Welfare promise meets political debate

The rollout has attracted attention as it comes shortly before the October 6 by-elections, including contests in Madurantakam and Dharapuram.

The scheme was part of TVK's electoral commitments and has featured in the government's broader welfare programme.

At the same time, its expenditure is likely to remain part of the political debate over Tamil Nadu's finances and the government's approach to welfare spending.

The government has maintained that the initiative is primarily aimed at maternal and child welfare, promoting institutional deliveries and strengthening public healthcare, while the scheme's connection to a prominent TVK election promise gives it an additional political context.