Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Highlights: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu is presenting the MK Stalin-led DMK government's state budget for 2025-26 in the legislative assembly today. The Budget comes amid the ruling DMK's war of words with the BJP-ruled centre over various issues.
This is the fifth budget of the DMK government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin since storming to power in 2021. The Budget speech will begin at 9.30 AM in the Assembly Hall of the Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex at Fort St. George campus in Chennai.
What is expected?
Prior to next year's Tamil Nadu assembly elections, several crucial announcements will likely be outlined in today's budget, especially in the social sector.
An announcement regarding the Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme is also expected. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin recently hinted to expand the schemes to benefit more women. Under this scheme, the DMK government provides financial assistance of ₹1,000 every month to the women residents of Tamil Nadu.
What did the Tamil Nadu Economic Survey say?
The Economic Survey 2024-25 of Tamil Nadu has laid an ambitious economic roadmap for the state. However, it highlights the “policy constraints” imposed by the Union government, hindering the state’s potential for even greater growth.
Tamil Nadu’s economy is expected to sustain a growth rate exceeding 8 per cent, with a vision to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030, says the survey, officially handed over to Chief Minister MK Stalin on March 13.
Follow Live Updates on Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 here:
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil Nadu BJP's President K. Annamalai slammed the DMK government's fifth budget announcement on March 14 and said that the budget was “empty announcements for publicity."
“It is no wonder that the budget released by the DMK every year is so empty, containing nothing but empty announcements for publicity, without fulfilling any election promises, and only committing thousands of crores of corruption,” he said according to a social media post on the platform X.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government has launched a scheme for skill development and entrepreneurial guidance to women entrepreneurs. It will also provide bank loans of up to ₹10 lakhand a 20 per cent subsidy.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The state's fiscal deficit for FY2024-25 falls to 3.26% in revised estimates from 3.44%.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The 9 km Porur Metro line from Poonamallee to Porur will be open to the public by December 2025.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Nearly 1 lakh houses will be constructed at a cost of ₹3,500 crore under the Kalaignar scheme.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: While addressing the NEP controversy, Thangam Thennarasu said, "This year, the Union Government cheated us by not releasing ₹2,152 crores to the State for not accepting NEP, which encourages a language system. Though the Union Government didn't release the required funds, the State government allocated its own funds for the welfare of government school students, for teachers' salaries, and for other expenses."
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: For the children who have lost both parents, the government will provide ₹2,000 stipend for education.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The state government has planned to construct a new airport in Ramanathapuram, Rameswaram
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government plans to establish old age homes known as Anbucholai with an outlay of ₹10 crore in Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem, Tiruppur, Erode, Thoothukudi, Vellore, Thanjavur, and Dindigul.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The tax revenue is budgeted to grow at 14.6% for the state in FY26.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil Nadu has estimated nearly ₹2,20,895 crore as revenues for FY2025-26.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: FM has highlighted on the role of manufacturing to create jobs across the state.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The 2025-26 state budget has been designed with a vision for the next 25 years, the FM said.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: During the budget speech, TN FM Thangam Thennasaru announced that the government has plans to expand the working women hostel plan.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: While speaking about developmental initiatives across the state, FM Thangam Thennarasu said, “Two more bridges in Chennai to reduce the traffic...Near Tambaram, a Plant would be set up to produce electricity from solid waste...Development works worth ₹2 Crores would be carried out on the banks of rivers.”
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The state government was already providing ₹1,000 as financial assistance to women under the Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme. The government plans to allocate of ₹13,000 crore more under this scheme.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The state government had launched a free bus travel service for women named Vidiyal Payana Thittam scheme. This scheme has helped to save ₹888 per month, according to TN FM.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil Nadu FM Thanagm Thennasaru completes his budget speech.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: During the budget speech, Tamil Nadu FM Thangam quoted the famous poem of Robert Frost titled, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. He referred to the iconic line from the poem, “And miles to go before I sleep.”
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: While speaking on the two-language formula issue, TN FM has clarified that they will not compromise with the Centre's policy to get funds. The state will use its own funds to bear costs.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government will build student hostels in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai, with an allocation of ₹275 crore, each benefiting 1,000 students.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The Tamil Nadu government will establish a transport system similar to the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil Nadu FM has announced the ‘Tamil Nadu Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2025, which aims to promote investment and innovation in ship and boat design, ship hull fabrication, and ship engine production.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil FM announces a 4,000 MW Energy Storage System aimed at improving renewable energy integration and a stable power supply.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government will buy 1,125 buses with funding from the World Bank and the German Institution.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government has announced to allocate nearly ₹70 crore to convert some existing diesel buses into CNG ones.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Grants will be provided for Global Capability Centres and manufacturing industries to conduct research in product design, development and innovation in collaboration with State Universities, Colleges and Research Centres. The government has allocated ₹25 crore to set up the Industrial Research and Innovation Fund, which will enable the partnership of industry and academia.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government has allocated ₹29,465 crores for the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government has allocated ₹2,000 crore under the Kalaignar Nagarpura Mempattu Thittam scheme, which addresses infrastructural issues in urban local bodies such as municipalities and town panchayats.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: 6,100 kilometres of rural roads will be improved at the cost of ₹2,200 crore in 2025-26, FM says.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE Measures will be taken to provide education loans up to ₹2,500 crore, sanctioned and disbursed by various banks to one lakh college students.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government will establish a Gig workers welfare board in the state. Additionally, ₹20,000 will be given to gig workers to buy e-scooters.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: 10,000 new SHGs will be formed this year for women from marginalized sections who are currently not a part of the SHG network.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government launched the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Puthumai Penn Thittam scheme to promote higher education among girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Under the scheme, a monthly assistance of ₹1,000 to 4.06 lakh beneficiaries is being provided currently. This year, a sum of ₹420 crore has been allocated for this scheme.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government allocates ₹600 crore for the CM Breakfast scheme for school students to cover an additional 3 lakh students.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The central government has yet to release over ₹2000 crore for education initiatives because of the NEP row, claims Tamil Nadu FM.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government plans to take measures to make Anna University one of Asia’s best educational institutions.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil Nadu FM has announced an allocation ₹675 crore for modernising drinking water projects in the state. Drinking water projects will be launched in Erode, Mayiladthurai, Thiruvallur and other districts of the state.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government plans to develop a new city of over 2000 acres near Chennai. This city will include schools, colleges, private enterprises, and other infrastructure.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government will carry out archaeological excavatio in eight locations including Keeladi (Sivaganga), Telunganur (Salem), Adhichanur (Kallakurichi).
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government has allocated ₹120 crore to develop road infrastructure in rural areas.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil FM has announced to construction of a 3km flyover in Velachery costing ₹310 crore to address road congestion.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The Adyar River restoration project costing ₹1,500 crore will be finished within 15 months
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil FM claims that the Centre is yet to release ₹3,796 crore. The state government is pressuring the Centre for quick disbursal of funds
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: AIADMK and BJP leaders walk out as FM Thangam Thennarasu presents budget over alleged TASMAC scam.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The government will continue with its programme to build 1 lakh houses, which was introduced in the previous budget.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: A Tamil Book Fair will be conducted in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Trivandrum, and various Asian countries, with an allocation of ₹2 crore, FM says.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: The World Tamil Olympiad will be conducted every year, Tamil Nadu FM says during the budget speech. “Agaram,” a language museum highlighting the pluralistic nature of Indian languages, will be constructed in Madurai.
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: Tamil Nadu FM claims, “In the last few years, Budgets have gone beyond just stating numbers. We are seeing it as a tool for the development of our citizens.”
Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 LIVE: FM Thangam Thennarasu has announced a programme to promote Tamil literature globally and allocates ₹10 crore in the first phase.