Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced on Friday that ₹5,000 has been credited to the bank accounts of 1.31 crore women beneficiaries under the state’s Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme). The announcement comes ahead of assembly elections scheduled for later this year in the state.
In a post on social media platform X accompanied by a pre-recorded video, Stalin provided details of the payment structure. The ₹5,000 comprises ₹3,000 as advance payment for three months, February, March, and April at ₹1,000 per month, along with a special summer aid of ₹2,000.
Scheme Background
The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme was launched in September 2023 on the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C N Annadurai. Initially, 1.13 crore women received ₹1,000 each under the programme. The scheme has since been expanded to cover 1.31 crore women across Tamil Nadu.
The programme was a key feature of the DMK’s manifesto ahead of the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The state government had announced months in advance that the scheme would be launched on September 15, marking Annadurai’s birth anniversary.
தமிழ்நாட்டு மகளிருக்கு இந்த ஸ்டாலின் தந்த உறுதிமொழிதான் உரிமைத்தொகை. யார் தடை ஏற்படுத்தினாலும் அதிலிருந்து பின்வாங்க மாட்டேன்.
தேர்தலைக் காரணம் காட்டி, மூன்று மாதங்களுக்கு உரிமைத்தொகையை முடக்கப் பார்க்கிறார்கள். முந்திக்கொண்டது நமது #DravidianModel அரசு!
பிப்ரவரி, மார்ச்,… pic.twitter.com/n7VrMqcrb7
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) February 13, 2026
Promise to Double Assistance
Stalin signaled that under what he termed ‘Dravidian Model 2.0’, the current monthly assistance of ₹1,000 would be doubled to ₹2,000 if the DMK is voted to power again in the upcoming elections. This announcement represents a significant expansion of the existing welfare scheme.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the financial assistance is not merely a grant but recognition of the contributions women make to society. This statement positions the scheme as both welfare support and acknowledgment of women’s societal role.
Election Context
The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will go to polls in the first half of 2026, with the Assembly’s current term set to expire on May 10, 2026. The timing of the announcement, several months before elections, places it firmly in the context of pre-election promises and welfare initiatives.
In the last state elections held in 2021, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) won 133 seats, securing a clear majority. The AIADMK, which is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), won 66 seats in that election.
Political Significance
Stalin expressed confidence that the DMK would win the upcoming election with the support of women voters. The focus on women beneficiaries through direct cash transfers represents a targeted approach to welfare politics that has become increasingly common across Indian states.
Direct benefit transfer schemes targeting women have emerged as significant electoral tools in various states. Such programmes aim to provide financial security while potentially influencing voting patterns by creating a direct connection between the government and beneficiaries.
Scheme Implementation
The scheme provides monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 to eligible women beneficiaries across Tamil Nadu. The advance payment mechanism announced by Stalin ensures that beneficiaries receive funds for three months at once, along with additional seasonal support.
The expansion from 1.13 crore to 1.31 crore beneficiaries indicates growing coverage of the programme. This increase suggests either relaxation of eligibility criteria or improved implementation reaching more women across the state.
Welfare Politics
The announcement fits into a broader pattern of welfare schemes across Indian states, particularly those targeting women and low-income families. Cash transfer programmes have become popular policy tools, offering direct financial support while reducing bureaucratic intermediation.
The promise to double the monthly assistance if re-elected represents an escalation of welfare commitments. If implemented, this would increase the annual financial outlay significantly, making it one of the larger state-level welfare programmes in India.
Looking Ahead
As Tamil Nadu approaches elections in 2026, welfare schemes and their expansion are likely to feature prominently in campaign narratives. The DMK’s emphasis on women voters through direct financial assistance sets the tone for electoral competition in the state.
