Tamil Nadu’s proposed gold-ring scheme targets babies born in public hospitals
Tamil Nadu’s government is preparing to provide a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring to babies born in government hospitals under a scheme introduced by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The programme has an annual allocation of ₹755.83 crore and will cover eligible residents whose births are registered through the State’s health system.
Tamil Nadu plans to provide a one-gram gold ring to every baby born in a government hospital under the Thaimaaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, or maternal uncle gold ring scheme. The scheme was first promised by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C. Joseph Vijay before the 2026 Assembly elections.
Vijay is now chief minister and has announced the initiative’s launch. A State government order issued on June 23 allocated ₹755.83 crore annually for the programme. The government expects to procure rings for 4,41,667 deliveries in public hospitals each year.
Tamil Nadu records about 7.8 lakh deliveries annually, with institutional births accounting for approximately 99.9 per cent, according to National Family Health Survey-6 data cited by The Hindu. Government facilities account for roughly 4.4 lakh deliveries, or about 53 per cent. Residents of Tamil Nadu will be eligible if the pregnant woman delivers at a government institution and is registered under PICME with a Reproductive and Child Health identification number.
The benefit applies to all newborns regardless of birth order. Each child will receive a one-gram, 22-carat ring in a tamper-evident blister card, together with a baby-care kit. The packaging will include a serial number, batch information, hallmark identification and Bureau of Indian Standards certification details.
The programme will use 94 high-load emergency obstetric and newborn-care centres as hubs. These account for 82 per cent of government deliveries. Twenty-four additional hubs will consolidate distribution for smaller facilities.
The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation will procure the rings from empanelled vendors. The arrangement has drawn criticism from opposition parties and doctors’ associations, who questioned the agency’s role and the administrative burden and cost. Tenders were issued for 1,28,499 rings for four months, with work orders divided between two jewellers in a 70:30 ratio.
The scheme is to apply retrospectively to babies born from June 22, 2026.
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