Story perspectives

Tamil Nadu launches INR755.83 crore newborn gold ring scheme

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 10:03 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Gold Ring Incentive

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched a one-gram gold ring scheme for newborns at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, on 28 September 2026.
The program will operate through 107 district hubs, each serving up to 100 newborns daily, overseen by collector-led monitoring committees.
The state allocated INR755.83 crore annually and bought 1.28 lakh one-gram 22-carat gold rings.
Mothers must be Tamil Nadu residents, registered in the cohort system and hold a child-health ID.

Right

Milk Shortage Critique

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched a one-gram gold ring scheme for newborns at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, on 28 September 2026.
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan condemned the programme, saying children need milk more than gold amid a state milk shortage.
Opposition and health experts questioned the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation’s procurement role.
The state allocated Rs 755.83 crore and bought 1.28 lakh one-gram 22-carat gold rings.

Blindspot

Opposition parties, health-care professionals and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan questioned the scheme, citing concerns over the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation’s procurement role and a state milk shortage, saying newborns need milk more than gold rings.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Tamil Nadu launched a gold-ring incentive in 1995 under chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, spending INR100 crore to give one-gram rings to roughly one million newborns and improve birth registration. The 2026 revival by actor C. Joseph Vijay at Rajaji Hospital, allocating INR755.83 crore for 1.28 lakh rings, mirrors earlier government baby-bonus schemes such as Australia’s 1912 £5 bonus and Singapore’s 2001 Baby Bonus, both designed to boost fertility.

1 of 4

Gold Ring Incentive

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched a one-gram gold ring scheme for newborns at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, on 28 September 2026.
The program will operate through 107 district hubs, each serving up to 100 newborns daily, overseen by collector-led monitoring committees.
The state allocated INR755.83 crore annually and bought 1.28 lakh one-gram 22-carat gold rings.
Mothers must be Tamil Nadu residents, registered in the cohort system and hold a child-health ID.

1 / 4