Tamil Nadu government education -related schemes

Tamil Nadu has a long and celebrated history of prioritizing education, dating back to the era of the Justice Party. One of the earliest and most impactful reforms—the introduction of the mid-day meal scheme —laid the foundation for inclusive education. Over the decades, successive governments have introduced a range of welfare schemes such as free textbooks, free education, neighborhood schools, free bicycles, bus passes, and even laptops to ensure that every child, regardless of their social or economic background, has access to quality education.

These initiatives have consistently reflected the evolving needs of each era. However, in the 21st century, the rapid growth of private educational institutions, the rise of digital technologies, and increasing competition in the job market present new challenges for students.

In response, the current Dravidian Model government, known for its progressive and adaptive policies, has implemented several new schemes to strengthen school and higher education. Since 2021, under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, various initiatives have been launched to enhance access, quality, and equity in education.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the key schemes and projects introduced by the Tamil Nadu government in the field of school education since 2021.

Pudhumai Pen Scheme

Launch: 2022
Beneficiaries: 493,689 students

A scheme that grants Rs.1,000 per month to female students who have studied in government schools from grades 6 to 12 and are enrolled in higher education.

Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme

Launch: 2022
Schools: 34,987
Beneficiaries: 1,753,000 students

A scheme that provides breakfast to students in grades 1–5 in government and government-aided schools.

Ennum Ezhuthum Scheme

Launch: 2022
Schools: 37,767
Beneficiaries: 2,508,000 students

A scheme to train students in grades 1–5 to understand lessons, read and write, and acquire basic arithmetic skills.

Vanavil Mandram

Launch: 2022
Schools: 13,236
Beneficiaries: 3,350,000 students

A scheme created to spark interest in science and mathematics among government school students in grades 6–8.

International Educational Tour Scheme

Launch: 2021
Beneficiaries: 323 students

A scheme to take students who excel in extracurricular activities such as club/conference events, book-reading, art festivals, children’s films, sports and science, on an educational tour abroad.

Reading Movement

Launch: 2023
Beneficiaries: 4,450,000 students

A scheme created to promote the habit of reading among students studying in grades 1–12.

Nalam Naadi App

Launch : 2024
Beneficiaries: 96,082 differently-abled students

A scheme to identify differently-abled students in government schools and provide them with the special education and all necessary support services they need.

Illam Thedi Kalvi

Launch:  2021
Beneficiaries: 95,97,000 students

A scheme to remediate the learning loss experienced by students in grades 1–8 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let’s Learn Tamil

Launch: 2023
Beneficiaries: 2,806 students

This scheme is designed to help children of migrant workers from other states who are studying in grades 1–8 to speak and write Tamil fluently alongside their mother tongue.

Cultural Festival

Launch: 2022
Beneficiaries: 11,548,000 students

A scheme launched to keep Tamil art forms alive and to encourage students’ artistic talents.

Namma School Namma Ooru Palli

Launch:  2022
Schools benefited: 11,590

A scheme to upgrade government schools by mobilizing financial contributions from alumni, corporations, and NGOs.

Centenary Celebration

Launch: 2025
Centenary School: 2,211
Schools where the centenary celebration was held: 883

A festival to honor government schools that have crossed their centenary and served as guiding lights and symbols of hope for millions of students.

IIT-Madras for All

Launch: 2021 
Beneficiaries: 363 students

A scheme to train and encourage students in government and government‐aided schools to pursue higher studies at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras 

Naan Mudhalvan

Beneficiaries: 4,138,833 people
Launch: 2022

A scheme that gives students guidance on higher education, provides them with skill-development training, and ensures that, based on their abilities, young people secure employment.

14417 Student Helpline Centre

Launch: 2023
Calls received: 1,939,633

A centre established to provide students with examination and academic guidance.

Professor Anbazhagan School Development Scheme

Launch: 2022
Construction Highlights:
8,730 classrooms; 52 laboratories; 184 unit toilets; 752 metres of boundary walls ; 5 boys’ hostels; 5 girls’ hostels

A scheme aimed at modernising infrastructure in government and government-aided schools, including the renovation of classrooms and the construction of additional classrooms, toilets, research centres, and boundary walls.

“Ilanthalir” Literature Scheme

Launch: 2021
Literary Books: 138
International Children’s Literature Books: 22

A scheme created to go beyond classroom learning by enhancing children’s creativity and nurturing a reading habit through age-appropriate books.

Schools of Excellence

Launch: 2022
Schools: 28

This scheme aims to establish modern infrastructure in government schools with over 1,000 students in each district, including science laboratories, integrated libraries, and computer and internet facilities.

Manarkeni App

Launch: 2023
Downloads: 8,91,261
Rating: 4.2

A mobile application scheme that digitises education by providing textbook lessons for students in classes 1 to 12 as 2D and 3D animated videos.

Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme

Launch: 2024
Beneficiaries: 3.28 lakh students

This scheme provides a monthly incentive of ₹1,000 to encourage boys who studied in Tamil medium from Classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools to pursue higher education.

Self-Defence Training Scheme

Schools Covered: 13,208
Beneficiaries: 13 lakh girl students

To help girl students studying from Classes 6 to 10 in government schools build self-confidence and self-defence skills, this scheme provides training in martial arts such as Karate, Judo, Taekwondo and Silambam.

Model Schools Scheme

Model Schools in Tamil Nadu: 38
Beneficiaries: 10,593 students

To provide high-quality, inclusive, and progressive education, selected students are offered access to premier academic opportunities through the Model Schools Scheme.

Chief Minister’s Talent Search Examination (TNCMTSE)

Launch: 2023
Beneficiaries: 3,000 students

This scheme was launched to encourage Class 10 students in government schools to pursue higher education.
Every year, 1,000 students are selected through this scheme and are provided with a monthly incentive of Rs.1,000 for two years, until they complete Class 12.

SIRPI Scheme

Launch: 2022
Beneficiaries: 5,000 students

Students in Responsible Police Initiatives aimed at guiding school students towards responsible behaviour and preventing juvenile delinquency, implemented in collaboration with the police department.

From 100 schools, 50 students each are selected and provided with training focused on social participation and civic responsibility.

Smart Classrooms

Launch: 2022
Smart Classrooms: 22,931
Beneficiaries: 16,77,043 students

This scheme introduces Smart Board Classrooms in government schools to create a simplified learning environment and promote technological advancement among students.

Magizh Mutram

Launch: 2024
Schools Covered: 37,470

To nurture leadership qualities among government school students, this scheme forms student groups named after Sangam landscape themes — Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, Neithal, and Paalai.
By conducting model legislative assemblies and model parliaments, the initiative aims to enhance students’ political awareness and leadership skills.

Tamil Language Literary Aptitude Test (TLLAT)

Launch: 2022
Beneficiaries: 4,500 students

A special examination is conducted for Class 11 students in government schools to evaluate their proficiency in Tamil language and literature. 1,500 students are selected and awarded a monthly incentive of Rs. 1,500 until they complete Class 12.

 Professor Anbazhagan Award

Launch:  2022
Awarded Schools: 76

To recognise excellence in areas such as teaching and learning, teacher development, leadership, and student progress, this scheme awards schools with the Prof. Anbazhagan Award. Each academic year, two schools from every district are selected for this prestigious recognition.

Arignar Anna Leadership Award

Launch: 2023
Beneficiaries: 3,000 students • 100 headmasters

To honour exemplary implementation of government welfare schemes, the headmasters of 50 government primary schools and 50 secondary and higher secondary schools will each receive an Arignar Anna Leadership Grant of Rs. 10 lakh per school for development — totalling ₹10 crore for 100 schools.

Archaeology Training for Teachers

Launch:2024
Beneficiaries: 2,000 teachers • 70,000 students

To familiarise students with Tamil civilisation, heritage, culture, and key industrial sectors, archaeology-focused training is provided to 1,000 graduate teachers every year.

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