CM Vijay’s Free Bicycle Scheme: Tamil Nadu Government to Provide Bicycles to 5.3 Lakh Students – Who Is Eligible?

The Tamil Nadu government has finalized an agreement to distribute free bicycles to 5.3 lakh students in government and government-aided schools. Hero Cycles has been selected as the successful bidder for this project.

CM Vijay’s Free Bicycle Scheme: The Tamil Nadu government has finalized an agreement to provide free bicycles to 5.3 lakh students across government and government-aided schools. Following price negotiations, Hero Cycles has emerged as the successful bidder. Reports indicate that Tamil Nadu government officials successfully negotiated a significant reduction in the procurement cost of these bicycles. According to officials, the cost has been reduced by 27% for bicycles intended for boys and by 31% for those intended for girls.

Budget Set at ₹277 Crore

Following negotiations with Hero Cycles, the total expenditure for the procurement of these bicycles is estimated at approximately ₹274 crore—well within the allocated budget of ₹277 crore. The bicycles provided to the students will comply with updated safety standards and will feature sturdy frames, wider tires, and an included maintenance kit. The primary objective of this initiative by the Tamil Nadu government is to improve mobility for students who travel long distances to reach school. It is also expected that this support will help increase attendance among Class 11 students and encourage them to continue their education.

What Is the Cost of the Bicycles?

Under this agreement, Hero Cycles will supply 2.37 lakh bicycles for boys at a rate of ₹5,260 per unit, and 2.95 lakh bicycles for girls at a rate of ₹5,130 per unit. These revised rates represent a significant reduction—ranging from 27 to 31 percent—compared to the company’s initial quotation.

Scheme first launched in 2001

The free bicycle scheme for government school students in Tamil Nadu was first introduced in 2001, during the AIADMK administration. It was initiated by the Backward Classes Welfare Department. Initially, the scheme was limited to students from the Adi Dravidar and Scheduled Tribe communities studying in Class 11 in government schools. In 2006, the scope of the scheme was expanded to include all Class 11 students in government and government-aided schools.

Scheme revived under the Vijay-led administration

Following the formation of the TVK-led government under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, it was announced—during the budgetary demands for the Backward Classes Welfare Department—that 5.32 lakh Class 11 students in government and government-aided schools would be provided with bicycles (equipped with helmets and water bottles) for the 2026-27 academic year, at a total cost of ₹277 crore. A tender for this procurement was issued in August, in which three major bicycle manufacturing companies participated.

Initially, Hero Cycles quoted a price of ₹6,820 for a bicycle (including a helmet and a water bottle), bringing the total cost to ₹7,235.10, which includes ₹415.10 in taxes. For girls, the company had quoted a price of ₹7,050, which, with the addition of ₹426.60 in taxes, brought the total to ₹7,470.60. However, this rate drew criticism, as it was higher than the cost of bicycles distributed to government school students in neighboring Puducherry. In response, an 11-member committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, was formed to negotiate a price reduction with the company.