Tamil actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was sworn as Tamil Nadu chief minister on Sunday after securing 108 seats in the state Assembly elections. The leader formed a coalition with Congress and smaller parties to reach the 118-majority mark.
The TVK manifesto for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 was packed with welfare promises, job guarantees and farmer relief measures, reshaping the poll results.
Also read: TVK Vijay 'Thalapathy' takes oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, along with 9 ministers
Vijay formed the government in Tamil Nadu, marking the first-ever disruption to the long-standing DMK–AIADMK political dominance in the state.
Here's a point-by-point layout of TVK's women-centric schemes:
With MSMEs forming the backbone of Tamil Nadu’s industrial economy, Vijay pitched a series of measures aimed at easing financial stress, cutting operational costs and encouraging industrial modernisation. The manifesto focused heavily on credit support, electricity relief and subsidies for small businesses.
The first orders signed by Vijay marked the new government’s opening policy priorities after the actor-turned-politician assumed office.
The TVK manifesto for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 was packed with welfare promises, job guarantees and farmer relief measures, reshaping the poll results.
Also read: TVK Vijay 'Thalapathy' takes oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, along with 9 ministers
Vijay formed the government in Tamil Nadu, marking the first-ever disruption to the long-standing DMK–AIADMK political dominance in the state.
Women welfare schemes and financial support
TVK's welfare schemes for women became one of the biggest talking points of Vijay's manifesto. The party promised a monthly handout of Rs 2,500 for women heads of families, along with six free LPG cylinders annually and dedicated safety measures, including a separate department and special women’s courts.Here's a point-by-point layout of TVK's women-centric schemes:
- Dedicated Department for the Safety of Women, Children, and the Elderly: TVK proposed the establishment of a separate department exclusively for the protection of women, children, and the elderly, which will function under Vijay's direct control and supervision.
- Madhippumigu Magalir Thittam: Under this initiative, TVK promised a monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 to be provided to all women heads of families up to the age of 60.
- Annapoorani Super Six Scheme: Under this scheme, each family would be provided with six LPG cylinders per year free of cost.
- Annan Seer Thittam: TVK promised that eight grams of gold and a quality silk saree will be provided as a gift for marriage of girls in the state.
- Kamarajar Kalvi Urudhi Thittam: TVK vowed to ensure that no child drops out of school from Class 1 to Class 12. Under this promise, it promised an annual financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to be provided to every mother or guardian.
- Vettri Payanam Thittam: Vijay also promised free travel for women across all government bus services.
- Zero Tolerance Crimes: The party committed to enforcing a strict “Zero Tolerance for Crimes Against Women” policy as a core priority. Under this initiative, TVK would establish a dedicated “Rani Velu Nachiyar Force” to ensure the safety and security of women. Women personnel in this special force will operate in plain clothes and be equipped with body cameras, carrying out vigilance and protection duties across various locations.
- Anjalai Ammal Fast Track Women's Courts: The party promised to establish special courts to ensure swift justice in cases of crimes against women.
- Zero Dark Spots: Vijay promised to install emergency panic buttons in all public transport vehicles, including private share autos, and connected to a 24/7 Centralized Command Center. It would ensure a response and protection mechanism within five minutes of activation. Additionally, a comprehensive CCTV network will also be implemented to create “Zero Dark Spots”, ensuring no area remains unmonitored or poorly lit.
- Free Sanitary Pads Scheme: The party promised to provide free sanitary pads to all women through public distribution points such as ration shops, as well as schools and colleges, ensuring access during essential times.
- Singa Pengal Empowerment Scheme: TVK promised to strengthen women-led self-help groups by facilitating repayment of existing loans and offering interest-free financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh. Self-help groups that transition into registered MSMEs will also receive an annual grant of Rs 5 lakh as a 100% subsidy to support business growth and expansion.
- Thaai Maaman Gold Ring Scheme: Under this scheme, every newborn child in Tamil Nadu will receive a gold ring as a token of the government’s blessing. Families will also be provided with a “Baby Welcome Kit” containing essential items such as nutritional supplements, baby clothes, soaps, baby oil, baby powder, mosquito nets, toys, napkins, and diapers.
Jobs and youth promises
From monthly aid for women and free bus travel to youth employment schemes, education loans and entrepreneurship support, the party’s manifesto combined populist welfare measures with ambitious promises on jobs, safety and social development.- Drug Free Tamil Nadu: TVK promised to make Tamil Nadu a drug-free state through stringent laws, community policing, and anti-drug forums in schools and colleges.
- Education Assurance Scheme: The party promised collateral-free education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh for students pursuing higher education from post-Class 12 to PhD level.
- Tamil Nadu Recruitment Accountability and Transparency Act: TVK vowed to complete the recruitment cycle for Tamil Nadu government jobs within 365 days through a statutory timeline.
- Unemployment Assistance for Youth: The party promised monthly financial assistance of Rs 4,000 for graduates and Rs 2,500 for diploma holders seeking jobs.
- Vettri Skill Training Assurance Scheme: Under this scheme, 5 lakh youth will receive stipend-based internship training every year in partnership with private firms. Graduates will get Rs 10,000 per month, while ITI and diploma holders will receive Rs 8,000.
- Vetri Entrepreneurship Scheme: TVK promised collateral-free business loans of up to Rs 25 lakh to encourage youth entrepreneurship in the state.
- Local Employment Promotion Scheme: Private companies employing 75% local workforce from Tamil Nadu will receive SGST and electricity subsidies, along with priority in government procurement.
- Youth Participation in Governance: Under the “Chief Minister’s People Service Associate” initiative, 5 lakh youth will be employed with a monthly salary of Rs 18,000 to help deliver government services across villages and urban local bodies.
- Tamil Nadu Youth Advisory Council: TVK promised to establish a Youth Advisory Council to allow young people to directly share ideas and recommendations with the government.
- Creatorpreneur Development Scheme: The party pledged startup capital support for 1.5 lakh creator-entrepreneurs and the establishment of 500 “Creatorpreneur Schools” to train youth in industry-relevant skills
Governance measures
Beyond welfare and employment promises, Vijay built TVK's campaign around governance reforms, digital transparency and citizen participation. From AI-driven welfare delivery and time-bound public services to real-time governance dashboards and public petition systems, the party pitched a technology-focused model of administration. Here’s a look at the key governance promises that formed a major pillar of TVK’s election campaign and contributed to Vijay’s rise to power.- Tamil Nadu Citizen Privilege Card: TVK promised a ‘Tamil Nadu Citizen Privilege Card’ for every family to ensure direct, corruption-free delivery of welfare benefits through AI-enabled systems without the need for applications.
- Right to Service Act: The party pledged to enact the ‘Tamil Nadu Right to Service Act’ and launch the ‘Vetri Tamil Nadu Super App’ to provide government services such as driving licences, ration cards, and grievance filing through mobile platforms. Delays in service delivery would invite action against officials.
- Tamil Nadu Real-Time Governance Dashboard: TVK promised a real-time governance dashboard to make budget allocations and implementation of government schemes fully transparent.
- Citizens as Partners in Governance: Through the portal myvettritamilnadu.in, citizens will be able to submit development ideas, vote on policy proposals, rate public services, and monitor government spending.
- ‘Makkal Arangam’ Initiative: The party promised a digital platform for citizens to directly submit petitions to the Legislative Assembly. Petitions with 10,000 signatures would receive mandatory government responses, while those crossing 5 lakh signatures would be discussed in the Assembly.
- AI City and Ministry of Artificial Intelligence: TVK pledged to establish Tamil Nadu’s first Artificial Intelligence University, develop an ‘AI City’ as a global AI hub, and create India’s first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence. AI innovation hubs will also be set up in Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli to support deep-tech startups.
- Financially Self-Reliant Tamil Nadu: The party promised to reduce the state’s debt burden, improve revenue generation without imposing new taxes, ensure efficient spending, and create new income sources to make Tamil Nadu financially self-sufficient.
Police reforms
As part of its law-and-order and administrative reform agenda, Vijay-led TVK also promised a series of welfare measures for police personnel. The party’s manifesto focused on improving salaries, regulating work conditions, expanding healthcare support, and addressing the needs of women police officers. Here are the key promises made for the police force in Tamil Nadu.- Police Salary Hike: TVK promised to increase the basic salary of police personnel from Rs 18,200 to Rs 25,000. Personnel engaged in high-stress duties will also receive an additional allowance of Rs 1,000 per month.
- Police Welfare and Service Conditions Act: The party pledged to enact a dedicated law to regulate police working hours, ensure weekly rotational off-days, and increase the washing allowance to Rs 1,000.
- Police Welfare Hospitals: Dedicated police welfare hospitals will be established in major cities including Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Salem, and Vellore.
- Facilities for Women Police Personnel: TVK promised that women police officers will not be assigned protocol duties and will be provided separate restrooms and mobile toilet facilities.
Policies for government employees
As part of its outreach to government employees, the party promised reforms focused on pensions, job regularisation and transparency in administration. The party’s manifesto sought to address long-pending demands of government staff while pledging cleaner and more accountable personnel policies. Here are the key promises made for government employees.- Old Pension Scheme Review: TVK promised to carefully evaluate and consider reimplementing the Old Pension Scheme, a long-standing demand of government employees.
- Regularisation of Temporary Staff: The party pledged to regularise all temporary teachers, nurses, and staff who have completed five years or more in service.
- Transparent Promotions and Transfers: TVK vowed to eliminate corruption in promotions and ensure government employee transfers are carried out transparently
Farmers and rural economy
As part of his rural and agricultural outreach, Vijay promised loan waivers, guaranteed crop prices and financial support measures aimed at improving farmers’ livelihoods and reducing agrarian distress.- Cooperative Crop Loan Waiver: TVK promised a full waiver of cooperative crop loans for farmers owning up to 5 acres of land, while those owning more than 5 acres would receive a 50% waiver.
- Guaranteed MSP for Crops: The party pledged a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP), including Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
- Cultivator Rights Card: Under this scheme, tenant farmers and agricultural labourer families will receive annual direct investment support of Rs 10,000.
- 100% Crop Insurance Coverage: TVK promised complete crop insurance coverage to safeguard farmers against losses and protect their livelihoods.
MSME reforms
With MSMEs forming the backbone of Tamil Nadu’s industrial economy, Vijay pitched a series of measures aimed at easing financial stress, cutting operational costs and encouraging industrial modernisation. The manifesto focused heavily on credit support, electricity relief and subsidies for small businesses.
- State Credit Guarantee Fund for MSMEs: TVK promised to create a Rs 15,000 crore State Credit Guarantee Fund to revive MSMEs facing financial distress.
- Electricity Charge Reforms: The party pledged to abolish peak hour electricity charges, provide a 100% exemption on electricity tax for five years, and rationalise power tariffs for industries.
- Industrial Modernisation Subsidy: To improve global competitiveness, TVK promised a 35% direct capital subsidy of up to Rs 50 lakh per unit for industrial modernisation.
Reforms for Tamil Nadu's weavers
The handloom and powerloom sectors also featured prominently in Vijay-led TVK's manifesto. The party promised financial aid, subsidised inputs, expanded electricity support and social security measures aimed at improving the livelihoods of weaver families.- Global E-Commerce Platform for Weavers: TVK promised a government-backed global e-commerce platform to market weavers’ products internationally, along with ‘Vetri Thari’ retail outlets in major cities.
- Annual Financial Assistance for Weaver Families: To offset rising yarn and electricity costs, the party pledged a direct annual transfer of Rs 30,000 to every weaver family.
- Enhanced Free Electricity Supply: Free electricity supply will be increased to 500 units for handloom weavers and up to 1,500 units for the powerloom sector.
- 50% Subsidy on Raw Materials: TVK promised a 50% subsidy on yarn, dyes, and chemicals to reduce production costs for weavers.
- Insurance and Pension Support: All weavers will be covered under a Rs 10 lakh life insurance scheme, while the old-age pension will be increased to Rs 3,000 per month.
Vijay sets tone with first orders on women safety, anti-drug task force
Soon after taking the oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, the actor-turned politician Vijay signed his first set of official documents announcing a series of measures, including 200 units of free electricity, a special task force against drugs, and another dedicated to women’s safety.The first orders signed by Vijay marked the new government’s opening policy priorities after the actor-turned-politician assumed office.
