List of Welfare Schemes Applicable / Implemented for Women in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has consistently been one of the leading states in India when it comes to implementing women-centric welfare schemes. Over the years, the state government has introduced a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving financial independence, education access, healthcare, safety, and social security for women.
From flagship programs like the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai, which provides monthly financial assistance to women heads of families, to schemes focused on education, entrepreneurship, nutrition, and protection, these initiatives cover women across different socio-economic backgrounds.
In this article, you can find a complete and updated list of women welfare schemes in Tamil Nadu, categorized by sectors such as economic empowerment, health, education, marriage assistance, and social security. Each scheme includes key details like launch year and benefits to help you understand what support is available and how it can be useful.
Accommodation & Safety
Scheme Name
Start Year
Purpose
Government Service Homes
1950s
Widows, deserted wives, economically backward women and girls rescued from child marriage
Working Women’s Hostels (Thozhi)
1990s (refurbished and new additions starting in 2023
Long-term and short-term accommodation for working women/students who migrate/ travel for employment, training, or education
Sakhi – One Stop Centre (OSC)
2015
Integrated support for women affected by violence
Economic Empowerment
Scheme Name
Start Year
Purpose
Amma Canteen Employment
2013
Rs 7,500–9,000 monthly salary; priority to widows
Sathyavani Muthu Ammaiyar Free Sewing Machine
Pre-2000
For widows, deserted wives, poor women, differently abled men and women
Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW) – SHG Support
1983
Provides training, facilitates bank linkages for loans and assists with income-generating activities
Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar Scheme
2025
Provision of rations, food items for the elderly, includes single mothers, widows
Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai
2023
Grant of Rs. 1,000 monthly for women heads of families for unpaid domestic work
Nannilam Women Landownership Scheme
2004
For Scheduled Caste women to purchase land
Education Support
Scheme Name
Start Year
Purpose
Free Bicycle Scheme
2001
Free bicycles
Free Laptop Scheme
2011 (revived 2025)
Free laptop or tablet for college students
Girl Child Protection
Scheme Name
Start Year
Purpose
Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme
1992
Rs 50,000 fixed deposit for a single girl child, Rs 25,000 for two girl children; financial incentive to empower girl children
Imaigal Scheme
2023
Protection framework for girls against sexual crimes
Health & Life Insurance
Scheme Name
Start Year
Details
Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme
2009 (revamped 2012)
Insurance coverage for poor individuals
Menstrual Hygiene Management and Free Sanitary Napkin Scheme
2011
Free distribution through anganwadis, schools, PHCs; another scheme – 3 packs (18 pads) every 2 months
HPV Vaccination Scheme
2024–25
For girls under 14 to prevent cervical cancer
Inuyir Kappom – Nammai Kakkum 48
2021
For road crash victims
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam
2021
Home-based healthcare services including screening tests and drug delivery
Marriage & Family Support
Scheme Name
Start Year
Details
Annai Teresa Orphan Girl Marriage Assistance
1985
Marriage assistance for orphan girls
Dr. Dharmambal Widow Remarriage Assistance
1975
Support for widow remarriage
EVR. Maniammaiyar Widow Daughter Marriage Assistance
1975
Financial assistance for widow’s daughter marriage
Moovalur Ramamirtham Marriage Assistance
1989
Rs 50,000 cash + 8-gram gold; Moovalur scheme linked with Pudhumai Penn Scheme for higher education
Nutrition Programs
Scheme Name
Start Year
Details
Anemia Mukt Bharat
2018
Iron-folic acid supplementation, deworming, testing and treatment of anaemia
ICDS – Supplementary Nutrition
1975
Take-home rations, hot cooked meals to improve nutrition of children under six, pregnant and lactating women
POSHAN Abhiyaan / Mission POSHAN 2.0
2018
Improve nutritional and health outcomes for children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers
Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Nutritious Meal Programme
1982
Cooked meals to school children; benefits mothers as caregivers and provides employment for women
SABLA Scheme for Adolescent Girls
2010
Nutrition, health, life skills for girls 11–18 years
Pension & Social Security
Scheme Name
Start Year
Details
Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme (extended to transgender)
2025
Rs 1,000 monthly support for higher education; parallel to Pudhumai Penn scheme
Transgender Welfare Schemes
2008
Pensions, subsidies for starting businesses, housing plots
Protection Against Violence
Scheme Name
Start Year
Details
181 Women Helpline
2018
Toll-free helpline for women in distress, violence support
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act Implementation
2005
Protection officers, counselling, shelter homes, legal aid
Transport & Mobility
Scheme Name
Start Year
Details
Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Scheme
2013
Compensation for acid attack, rape, and domestic violence victims
Magalir Vidiyal Payanam (Free Bus Travel)
2021
Free bus rides for women and transgenders
Pink Auto Scheme
2025
Grants for women auto drivers
Women Entrepreneurship
Scheme Name
Start Year
Details
Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme
2023
35% capital subsidy (max Rs 1.5 cr); 6% interest subvention for SC/ST women
NEEDS (New Entrepreneur-cum-Enterprise Development) Scheme
2012
25% capital subsidy (max Rs 25 lakh) + 3% interest subvention; women get additional 5% subsidy
