The scheme has been a cornerstone of the party’s outreach to women voters, and the proposed increase signals an attempt to further consolidate this support base.
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For women’s development, the manifesto also promises a hike in the monthly higher education assistance for girl students, increasing the grant from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500, in a move aimed at boosting female enrolment and retention in higher studies.
Positioning welfare expansion at the heart of its campaign, the DMK has proposed a series of measures aimed at strengthening social security and public services.
A major highlight is the expansion of the Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme, which currently benefits primary school students, to cover children up to Class 8.
The manifesto also outlines plans to extend free electricity benefits to over 20 lakh additional consumers.Also Read | Stalin to embark on first phase of poll campaign from Tiruvarur on Mar 31
Farmers, in particular, are set to benefit from the promise of modern pump sets without meters under the free power scheme, aimed at easing irrigation challenges and reducing input costs. The party has also promised to raise procurement prices, with paddy to be procured at ₹3,500 per quintal and sugarcane at ₹4,500 per tonne, in a bid to improve farm incomes and provide better price assurance.
In the housing sector, the DMK has pledged to construct 10 lakh new houses over the next five years, targeting economically weaker sections and addressing urban-rural housing gaps.
Additionally, the party has proposed increasing insurance coverage under the Chief Minister’s scheme to ₹1 lakh, enhancing financial protection for families during medical emergencies.
The manifesto further outlines a broad employment push, with the government promising to fill over 1.5 lakh vacant posts in state departments without delay.
Expanding its focus on household welfare, the party has proposed an “Illathu Arasi” scheme under which eligible women would receive ₹8,000 to purchase home appliances such as washing machines, grinders, televisions or microwaves from local shops, giving beneficiaries flexibility in usage while supporting neighbourhood businesses.
In the healthcare sector, the DMK has pledged significant upgrades, including raising the income ceiling for eligibility under the Chief Minister’s health insurance scheme to ₹5 lakh annually and enhancing coverage up to ₹10 lakh. Dialysis services in government hospitals are set to be expanded, with facilities at district and taluk levels expected to double.
The manifesto also promises targeted support for key sectors. Fishermen are set to receive increased assistance, with aid during the fishing ban period proposed to rise from ₹8,000 to ₹12,000 and lean season support from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000. In the dairy sector, the procurement price of milk is proposed to be increased by ₹5 per litre to support producers.
On the cultural front, the party has announced plans to host an international Tamil conference in Chennai to promote the language and heritage. It has also pledged to push for greater state autonomy by advancing recommendations made by a committee led by Justice Kurian Joseph.
For government employees and teachers, the DMK has promised to set up a committee to implement the benefits of the 8th Pay Commission once announced by the Union government, along with ensuring effective rollout of the assured pension scheme.
Key dates and election details
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election will be held in a single phase next month, with voting scheduled for April 23, 2026, and counting of votes set for May 4, 2026. The election process will formally begin with the issuance of the gazette notification on March 30, followed by the last date for filing nominations on April 6. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 9.
The state will vote across 234 Assembly constituencies, with an electorate of around 5.67 crore eligible voters. This election is also drawing attention due to the debut of actor Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which is positioning itself as a challenger to both the DMK and the AIADMK.
Beyond Tamil Nadu, other regions including Kerala, Assam and Puducherry are also heading to the polls this season, while West Bengal will vote in two phases later in April.
