Tamil Nadu to Give One-Gram Gold Rings to Newborns

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister S. Joseph Vijay is set to launch a new scheme providing one-gram gold rings to eligible newborns at a government hospital in Madurai on September 28.

The scheme, named ‘Thaai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’, will cover children born in government hospitals across Tamil Nadu from June 22, 2026. The initiative is part of the state government’s long-term Vettri Tamilagam vision and is intended to celebrate the birth of children in government hospitals while encouraging institutional deliveries.

For the first phase, the Tamil Nadu government has procured 1.28 lakh gold rings. Each ring will carry a unique serial number and will be provided in tamper-proof packaging.

Women eligible for the scheme must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and registered under the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system. They must also have a Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) ID.

The government has also made arrangements to distribute rings to babies born between June 22 and the launch date. For this purpose, 107 distribution hubs have been established across the state. Distribution will begin on September 28, with each hub expected to cover around 100 babies per day.

From the launch date onwards, eligible babies born in government hospitals will receive the gold ring at the time of discharge, according to the state government.

The initiative draws on the Tamil cultural tradition of ‘Thaaimaman Seer’, under which the maternal uncle traditionally presents gifts to a newborn. The government says the scheme is designed to connect this cultural practice with its welfare programmes.

Officials have said the scheme is also aimed at strengthening public confidence in government healthcare facilities and encouraging families to opt for safe institutional deliveries.

The initiative is expected to form part of the state’s broader focus on maternal and child welfare. By linking the gold-ring distribution with government hospital births, the Tamil Nadu government hopes to promote institutional healthcare while providing a symbolic gift to newborn children.

The Madurai launch will also mark Chief Minister Vijay’s first reported official engagement in the city since assuming office.