CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and Ex-Officio Vice Chairman of State Planning Commission Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with the officials on Tuesday submitted Study Reports on key four flagship schemes and draft policies to Chief Minister M.K.Stalin.
The reports submitted included Impact Assessment of Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam in Tamil Nadu (grant of Rs 1,000 per month for women household heads); Evaluation of Naan Mudhalvan Scheme; Study on Startup ecosystem in Tamil Nadu (Startup TN: Opportunities and Challenges) and Draft Housing Policy for Rural and Urban Tamil Nadu and Integrated Townships Development Policy.
The State Planning Commission (SPC) is the supreme advisory body chaired by the Chief Minister. It is mandated, among many tasks, to evaluate the flagship programmes of the government, to conduct studies and to prepare policy drafts for the government. A brief outline of the reports submitted to the Chief Minister said the Impart Assessment of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT) aims to understand the scheme’s impact on beneficiary households.
The study, which surveyed over 10,311 households, found that the coverage ensured the inclusion of the most marginalised sections of society, covering both rural and urban areas. The financial assistance through KMUT was found to have been predominantly utilised for medical expenses and children’s education, with a notable portion of the assistance being used as consumption expenditure to buy quality food articles, which has led to a perceptible improvement in household food security and nutrition.
The study noted that this scheme acts as a catalyst for women’s empowerment, boosting their self-confidence and elevating their status within their families by enabling them to spend money on household needs without needing permission. A considerable section of the beneficiaries opines that their role in the family’s financial decisions has also increased.
The Naan Mudhalvan Scheme, implemented by the Government through TNSDC, aims to bridge the gap between academics and industry by equipping students with employable, market-relevant skills.
The SPC evaluated its impact (December 2024-May 2025) among Engineering and Polytechnic students across the state to assess improvements in employability, technical proficiency and alignment with industry needs.
Findings revealed that over 75% of students reported improved job prospects and confidence due to practical training, digital certifications and resume-building activities.
The scheme has been particularly beneficial to rural, first-generation and female learners, enabling equitable skill development and better placement opportunities through industry-linked curricula.
The study also captures the employer’s perspective, which reveals that there has been a significant improvement in the performance of the students trained under this scheme at the entry level during the initial induction period.
However, the study highlights the need for addressing transportation difficulties for students in remote areas, enhancing existing infrastructure and trainer capacity in rural institutions.
The study recommends improving digital infrastructure, offering subsidies for students, trainer upskilling and introducing a cloud-based scheduling system to enhance accessibility, coordination and inclusivity in skill training across Tamil Nadu. The Study on Startup ecosystem in Tamil Nadu said Tamil Nadu aims to become a USD One Ttrillion economy by 2030, with its robust start-up ecosystem playing a key role.
The state ranks third nationally and has implemented many initiatives, including a comprehensive TN Startup and Innovation policy and 12 sector-specific policies that focus on providing support to startups in specific areas like AI, EVs, and Deep Tech, MSME, etc., emphasis is on infrastructure, human capital, incubation, and mentorship through government-academic partnerships.
Pointing out that Tamil Nadu’s policy is more comprehensive than those of Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, and Maharashtra, it said there is strong emphasis on equitable growth, aligned with the Dravidian Model of the DMK government, including targeted support for SC/ST youth, trans people, and the differently abled. Surveys show founders are mostly middle-class engineers educated in government institutions, with women founders who start at a younger age than men. Incubators are mainly hosted by private and central universities, and government funding is vital in the early stages.
Tamil Nadu’s start-up ecosystem has grown rapidly, but to fully unlock its potential, the state must improve awareness and access to support programs, simplify funding processes, address gender and sector imbalances, and focus on long-term sustainability and scalability.
Leveraging regional strengths through targeted interventions can help Tamil Nadu carve a distinct path from other states.
The draft Housing Policy for Rural and Urban Tamil Nadu and Integrated Townships Development Policy addresses the urgent need for sustainable, inclusive and affordable housing across both rural and urban regions of the state.
It outlines a strategic framework designed to meet housing demand through equitable land distribution, innovative financing, and enhanced collaboration with the private sector and envisions accessible and quality housing as a driver of social equity and economic growth, aiming to ensure that all citizens, regardless of income, have access to adequate and affordable housing.
The core principles include inclusivity, sustainability, affordability and suitability, which guide efforts to create a supportive housing market, strengthen rural-urban linkages, the unique needs of vulnerable communities.
Tamil Nadu Integrated Township Development Policy aims to promote well-planned, sustainable townships with comprehensive amenities, encouraging private sector investment and enhancing urban development standards across the state. The policy seeks to establish self-sustained townships that reduce the need for external commuting, embodying a “walk-to-work” concept.
These townships will include residential, commercial, educational, and health facilities, along with infrastructure for economic activities, public utilities, and open green spaces. It aligns with Tamil Nadu’s goal to address urban expansion challenges, reduce pollution, and improve the living standards.
