Tamil Nadu's Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram scheme (1-gram 22-carat gold ring for every baby born in a government hospital) has awarded its tender for 4,41,667 rings to Joyalukkas (70%) and Kalyan Jewellers (30%). Joyalukkas quoted 0.01 paisa for making, packing, printing, transport and insurance charges. Madras HC dismissed a PIL challenging the contract on September 10.
Tamil Nadu's Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam (Maternal Uncle Gold Ring Scheme) has completed its procurement process — 4,41,667 one-gram, 22-carat hallmarked gold rings have been ordered through Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC), with the contract awarded to Joyalukkas (70% share) and Kalyan Jewellers (30% share). The Madras High Court on September 10 dismissed a PIL that had challenged the tender process, clearing the way for the rings to be procured.
Announced by CM Vijay in the 2026 Budget (August 5), the Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam (literally: Maternal Uncle Gold Ring Programme) gives every baby born in a Tamil Nadu government hospital a one-gram 22-carat gold ring — worn as a symbol of welcome and maternal blessing. The rings will be distributed through 107 designated centres across Tamil Nadu. The scheme was announced for children born in government hospitals from June 22, 2026 onwards.
Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) invited tenders for the 4,41,667 rings. Two major national jewellery chains bid:
| Bidder | Making/Packing/Transport Charges Quoted | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Joyalukkas | ₹0.01 (one paisa) per ring for all charges | 70% — 3,09,167 rings |
| Kalyan Jewellers | ₹978.50 initially → revised to ₹0.01 to match | 30% — 1,32,500 rings |
The virtually-zero making and transport charge quote by Joyalukkas — and Kalyan Jewellers' matching bid after initially quoting ₹978.50 — became the subject of the PIL. The petitioner estimated the real stamping cost alone at approximately ₹45 per ring, and argued the pricing was commercially unviable and raised concerns about cross-subsidy through the gold supply margin (one rupee above market price per ring). The Madras High Court dismissed the challenge, ruling it could not interfere with a company's right to price its services.
CM Vijay chaired a review meeting at the Secretariat on September 18 to assess preparations for the launch and implementation of the scheme. The government officially announced the launch date as September 28, 2026. All eligible babies born in government hospitals on or after June 22, 2026 will receive the ring.
A Madras High Court bench dismissed the PIL on September 10, 2026. The court held that it cannot interfere with a company's pricing decision, including the market-rate gold price plus ₹1 and the 0.01-paisa service charge. The government's procurement through TNMSC follows standard tender rules; the contract was validly awarded. The dismissal clears the legal path for procurement to proceed.
The public launch of the scheme — originally planned for June 22, then September 15 (Anna's birthday) — was deferred to approximately September 25 because of CM Vijay's UK tour. Health Minister K.G. Arun Raj officially confirmed the deferral. As of today, a revised launch date has not been announced. The procurement of 4,41,667 rings is underway and the distribution infrastructure (107 centres) is being prepared.
Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Gold Ring Scheme Joyalukkas Kalyan
OFFICIAL BUDGET FIGURES (UNI, July 14)
Annual budget: ₹755.83 crore · Rings to procure: ~4.41–4.42 lakh · Standard: 22-carat, 916 hallmark · Eligibility: TN residents, govt hospitals only