Namakku Naame Thittam is a participatory development initiative by the Tamil Nadu government that encourages community involvement in identifying, funding, and implementing local infrastructure projects. The scheme emphasizes public contribution-financial or otherwise-alongside government funding to improve civic amenities, especially in educational and welfare institutions.

When Was Namakku Naame Thittam Started?

Original Launch: The scheme was originally introduced in 1997–98 by then Chief Minister Dr. M. Karunanidhi.

Recent Relaunch and Expansion: The scheme was relaunched in 2021–22 with updated guidelines and renewed focus, particularly for urban areas.

Rural Expansion: In the financial year 2025–26, the Tamil Nadu government allocated ₹150 crore for the scheme’s implementation in rural areas, aiming to upgrade government-run schools, colleges, and community welfare centres.

Key Features

• Participatory Development: Local communities propose projects and contribute resources, fostering ownership and accountability.
• Scope of Works: Includes renovation of water bodies, construction and improvement of public buildings (schools, hospitals, libraries), roads, parks, and more.
• Funding Pattern: Typically, a minimum of one-third public contribution is required for most works, and 50% for water body renovations.
• Implementation: Proposals are routed through local panchayats or urban local bodies, with strict monitoring for quality and progress.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin   inaugurated 44 houses built for mahouts at Theppakadu Elephant Camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris on 13.5.2025. 

Tamil Nadu Government and Social sector expenditure : 

 The Tamil Nadu government has steadily increased its social sector expenditure, which rose from 79,859 crore in 2019-20 to 1.16 lakh crore in 2023-24. Key initiatives include the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme to improve school attendance and nutrition as well as various programs empowering women, such as the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam and the Mahalir Vidiyal Payanam Thittam 

Source: ECONOMIC SURVEY OF TAMIL NADU 2024-25

Women's Welfare Schemes of Tamil Nadu Government (From 2021):

1. Vidiyaal Payanam Scheme : The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin immediately after taking charge as Chief Minister initiated 5 schemes, one of which is the Vidiyaal Payanam Scheme. Under the free Vidiyaal Payanam Scheme for women, differently-abled persons, and transgender persons, 682.02 crore journeys have been made so far. Transgender persons have traveled 36.89 lakh times, and differently-abled persons have traveled 3.78 crore times and benefited. As a benefit of this scheme, women are happy to save up to 888 rupees per month.

2. Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai : The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme has been introduced with the aim of properly recognizing women's labor. Under this scheme, 1 crore 15 lakh women have been receiving Rs.1,000/- monthly in their respective bank accounts.

3. Pudhumai Penn Scheme : To ensure that girl students who studied from 6th to 12th standard in government schools and government-aided schools can continue their higher education without interruption, a monthly amount of Rs.1,000/- is being provided to female students joining undergraduate courses, including medical colleges and other higher education institutions affiliated with the state government/central government in Tamil Nadu. Under direct cash transfer method, 4.95,000 female students have so far received this assistance directly into their bank accounts. According to a State Planning Commission study report, the number of female students enrolling in colleges after completing school education has increased by 34 percent because of this scheme.

4. "Thozhi Hostels" for Working Women : Women who complete their education and leave their hometown to work in other places face many difficulties. To address this, the Tamil Nadu Government has introduced the Thozhi Hostels scheme for working women and is establishing these hostels in various places. 13 Thozhi Hostels with 1303 bed facilities are currently operational. Additionally, Thozhi Hostels are being established in 14 more locations.

5. Cancellation of Women Self-Help Group Loans : Loans amounting to Rs.2,755.99 crore outstanding as of 31.3.2021, provided through cooperative institutions to women self-help groups, have been waived. 15,88,309 women from 1,17,617 women self-help groups have benefited.

6. Women's Reservation Increased to 40 Percent :  The reservation for women in government jobs was set at 30 percent through legislation enacted in 1989 by Muthamilarignar Kalaignar. The Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dravidar Nayagar has increased this reservation from 30 percent to 40 percent, paving the way for more women to secure employment opportunities.

7. Increase in Maternity Leave : The maternity leave for female teachers working in government offices has been increased from 9 months to 12 months starting from 2021.

8. Increase in Women Self-Help Group Loan Maximum Limit  : The maximum limit of loans provided to women self-help groups has been increased from Rs.12 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs. From 2016 to 2020, over four years, loans amounting to Rs.39,468.88 crore were provided to self-help groups. However, from 2021 to 2025, loans amounting to Rs.1,12,299 crore have been provided.

9. The retirement age for cooks and cooking assistants working in nutritious meal centers has been increased from 58 to 60.

10. Women Entrepreneurship Promotion: To encourage women to go beyond education and start their own businesses, the Tamil Nadu Government is implementing the TANSEED (Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Grant Fund) scheme that provides grant funding. Through this scheme, special packages are also provided to encourage women entrepreneurs. Startup ventures by women entrepreneurs are encouraged with grant funding of up to 15 lakh rupees. It is noteworthy that 41% of working women in India are from Tamil Nadu.

11. Women in Police Force To prevent crimes against women in Tamil Nadu, 39 new women police stations have been established. The Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has ordered that female police officers should not be made to stand on roads for long hours during VIP visits and should be assigned easier duties. Following the completion of 50 years of women police officers in Tamil Nadu, a special postal cover was released during the golden jubilee event, and the AVAL (Avoid Violence Through Awareness and Learning) project was introduced to ensure women's safety.

12. Kalai Thurai Vithagar Awards for Outstanding Women in Arts and Journalism Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin announced that in 2024 only, a special Kalai Thurai Vithagar Award for women would be given to commemorate the centenary of Muthamizharignar Kalaignar. Accordingly, this award was presented to veteran playback singer Mrs. P. Susheela. Similarly, the Kalaignar Ezhudhugol Award was announced as a Kalaignar Centenary Special Award for outstanding women journalists and was presented to Mrs. Sugirtha Sarangaraj.

13. Female Odhuvaars in Religious Endowments Department In the Religious Endowments Department, Odhuvaar training is provided to people of all castes under the All Caste Archakar Scheme. Of the trainees, 42 were appointed as Odhuvaars. It is noteworthy that 11 of them are female Odhuvaars.

14. Women's Reservation in Local Bodies :  In local bodies, 33 percent reservation for women was provided in 1996. Later it was increased to 50 percent, and lakhs of women have obtained positions in local government institutions and are working for the progress of Tamil Nadu. Today, out of 21 mayors in municipalities, 11 are women mayors, which is a special distinction for Tamil Nadu.

15. Child Care Centers in SIPCOT Industrial Complexes For the advancement of women working in factories, child care centers have been established in 17 SIPCOT industrial parks located in various parts of Tamil Nadu. These child care centers help reduce the stress of working parents, especially women, and create an environment for more female workers to work.

In the Pollachi sexual assault case, Justice Nandini Devi of the Coimbatore Additional Women's Court has sentenced 9 persons to life imprisonment until death. Compensation amount of Rs.85 lakhs has been announced to be divided among 7 of the 8 affected women, excluding one woman who did not come forward to testify. The Pollachi sexual assault incident that occurred in 2019 was a shocking event that shook Tamil Nadu.

Dr. Amar Agarwal, Chairman of Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, has been awarded a special prize by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). It has been reported that he has been given this honor for his immense contribution to the field of eye treatment.

The Tamil Nadu government has ordered that a no-objection certificate from the Revenue Department is mandatory for exhibitions conducted by private individuals. Accordingly, to conduct exhibitions, private individuals must obtain 5 types of no-objection certificates from districts and send them to the State Information and Public Relations Department through collectors. That is, they must obtain and provide no-objection certificates from the location where the exhibition is held, police department, fire department, and health department of the corporation or municipality. Additionally, they must send income tax department certificates showing income tax payments for the past 3 years.

India (Unit III) 

India 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign : 

On December 7, 2024, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, officially launched  the ambitious 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign in Panchkula, Haryana.

The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP): A Vision for a TB-Free India : The 100-Day Campaign is a part of the broader framework of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) under the aegis of the National Health Mission (NHM), which is aligned with the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB Elimination 2017–2025. The NSP focuses on reducing TB incidence, enhancing diagnostic and treatment capabilities, and addressing the socio-economic impact of the disease. This ambitious initiative reflects the vision set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2018 End TB Summit, where he pledged to achieve a TB-free India by 2025.

Significant progress has been made under NTEP to reduce TB in India. The TB incidence rate decreased by 17.7%, from 237 per 100,000 in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 in 2023. Similarly, TB-related deaths have declined by 21.4%, from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023. 

The National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) is at the heart of a broader strategy to combat tuberculosis (TB) and address the disparities in TB outcomes across India. As part of this strategy, several key interventions are being made, including case detection improvements, diagnostic delays reduction, and enhanced treatment outcomes, especially for vulnerable communities. 

India’s International Commitment to TB Elimination

India’s approach to eliminating TB is not just a national endeavor; it is also aligned with global goals. As a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India is committed to meeting the target of ending TB by 2025, five years ahead of the SDG deadline of 2030.

India’s commitment to TB elimination is also evident in its support for international declarations, such as the Gandhinagar Declaration, which was signed by health ministers of the WHO South-East Asia Region in August 2023. This regional pledge aims to sustain, accelerate, and innovate the fight against TB in the region by 2030.

The Road Ahead: Ending TB by 2025

The 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign marks an important milestone in India’s journey toward a TB-free nation. By enhancing diagnostics, treatment, and support services, particularly for high-risk groups, India is setting the stage for a comprehensive approach to end TB by 2025. 

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways sets up its new office in Srinagar. IWAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to develop river navigation infrastructure in three national waterways in the Union Territory i.e. NW-26 (River Chenab), NW-49 (River Jhelum), NW-84 (River Ravi). 

Same number to multiple voters - issue solved : In the midst of major controversy regarding identical voter ID numbers being issued to multiple voters, the Election Commission reported on 13.5.2025 that this issue has been resolved. Regarding this, Electoral Registration Officers across 4,123 assembly constituencies throughout the country examined the data of more than 99 crore voters nationwide. It was found that identical voter ID numbers were issued to multiple people only in a very small number of cases. Specifically, this discrepancy occurred at a ratio of one person per 4 polling booths.

P.R. Gavai is set to take oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on 14.5.2025. Supreme Court Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna retired on 13.5.2025.

Rameshwar Prasad Gupta, who was serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), was removed by the Central Government.  

Economy (Unit V)

Consumer Price Index Numbers on Base 2012=100 for Rural, Urban and Combined for the Month of April, 2025

1. Headline Inflation: Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of April, 2025 over April, 2024 is 3.16% (Provisional). There is decline of 18 basis points in headline inflation of April, 2025 in comparison to March, 2025. It is the lowest year-on-year inflation after July, 2019.

2. Food Inflation: Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for the month of April, 2025 over April, 2024 is 1.78% (Provisional). Corresponding inflation rate for rural and urban are 1.85% and 1.64%, respectively.

3. Rural Inflation: Significant decline in headline and food inflation in rural sector observed in April, 2025. The headline inflation is 2.92% (provisional) in April, 2025 while the same was 3.25% in March, 2025. The CFPI based food inflation in rural sector is observed as 1.85% in April, 2025 in comparison to 2.82% in March, 2025.

4. Urban Inflation: Decline from 3.43% in March, 2025 to 3.36% (Provisional) in April, 2025 is observed in headline inflation of urban sector. However, sharp decline is observed in food inflation from 2.48% in March, 2025 to 1.64% in April, 2025.

5. Housing Inflation: Year-on-year Housing inflation rate for the month of April, 2025 is 3.00%. Corresponding inflation rate for the month of March, 2025 was 3.03%. The housing index is compiled for urban sector only.

6. Education Inflation: Year-on-year Education inflation rate for the month of April, 2025 is 4.13%. Corresponding inflation rate for the month of March, 2025 was 3.98%. It is combined education inflation for both rural and urban sector.

7. Health Inflation: Year-on-year Health inflation rate for the month of April, 2025 is 4.25%. Corresponding inflation rate for the month of March, 2025 was 4.26%. It is combined health inflation for both rural and urban sector.

8. Transport & Communication: Year-on-year Transport & communication inflation rate for the month of April, 2025 is 3.73%. Corresponding inflation rate for the month of March, 2025 was 3.36%. It is combined inflation rate for both rural and urban sector.

9. Fuel & light: Year-on-year Fuel & light inflation rate for the month of April, 2025 is 2.92%. Corresponding inflation rate for the month of March, 2025 was 1.42%. It is combined inflation rate for both rural and urban sector.

10. The top five major states with the highest year-on-year inflation for the month of April 2025 are - Kerala (5.94), Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

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