Thaaimaman Thanga Modhiram Scheme will provide one-gram, 22-carat gold rings to eligible newborns delivered at government hospitals, with Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers selected to supply the rings. The scheme has a ₹560-crore allocation and is set to launch on September 15, 2026.
The Thaaimaman Thanga Modhiram Scheme is a flagship welfare initiative by the Tamil Nadu Government under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
The scheme honours the Tamil cultural tradition of a maternal uncle, Thaaimaman, gifting gold to newborns.
Jewellery giants Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers have received work orders to supply gold rings to newborns delivered at government hospitals.
The scheme is scheduled to officially launch on September 15, 2026, to mark the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, Peraringar Anna.
Although the scheme will formally launch on September 15, babies born in government hospitals from June 22, 2026, will be eligible to receive a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring.
The rings are BIS-hallmarked for purity and feature the official Tamil Nadu Government logo.
The ring is delivered inside a Thaai Maaman Seer Pettagam filled with newborn clothing and care items.
The state government has officially allocated ₹560 crore in the 2026-27 State Budget to fund this scheme.
The initial order targets the production of 4,41,667 gold rings to meet the state's welfare demand.
The central idea behind this scheme is to strengthen the public's confidence in state-run hospitals.
Government hospitals provide maternity services at little or no cost to families, and the state has sought to encourage more women to use these facilities for childbirth.
Health Minister KG Arunraj said the scheme was intended to reinforce the message and earn people's trust that government hospitals provide safe, hygienic delivery services, while giving families an additional benefit for choosing them.
The procurement process began with the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation, which invited tenders on July 14, 2026, for the supply of 4,41,667 one-gram, 22-carat gold rings.
The tender attracted 11 jewellery companies. After the technical qualification process, the committee opened their financial bids.
Joyalukkas emerged as the lowest bidder after quoting just ₹0.01 per ring for the additional costs covered by the tender.
This amount did not include the actual cost of the one gram of gold.
Instead, the ₹0.01 covered the other specified costs, including making or processing charges, insurance, transportation, packaging and BIS hallmarking.
The tender process did not stop with finding the lowest bidder. Under the state's tender rules, the government approached the other participating companies and asked whether they were willing to match the lowest quoted price.
Out of the other 10 bidders, only Kalyan Jewellers agreed to match Joyalukkas' ₹0.01 rate. That opened the way for both companies to receive work orders.
Because Joyalukkas submitted the original lowest bid, it received the larger share of the initial requirement.
For the first four months, involving 1,28,499 rings, the government has divided the supply responsibility in a 70:30 ratio.
Joyalukkas will receive 70% of the share, while Kalyan Jewellers will receive 30%.
The arrangement allows the state to proceed with the programme while bringing in the second company that agreed to supply at the same lowest rate.
When the scheme launches on September 15, the government intends to roll it out across the state through its government healthcare network.
The supply work of Joyalukkas and Kallyan Jewellers marks an important step in turning the manifesto into a government programme.
