128,499 gold rings are being commissioned by the government for newborns—but what is the process?

The Tamil Nadu government will provide 1.28 lakh gold rings to the parents of babies born in government hospitals. Approximately ₹220 crore will be spent on this scheme. The government has already placed the order for the rings.

A gold ring—and that too upon a child's birth—is part of a special scheme the Tamil Nadu government is launching for babies born in government hospitals. Under this initiative, around 1.28 lakh babies will receive a 22-carat gold ring. The total expenditure for the scheme is estimated at around ₹220 crore.

According to the government, the scheme will be launched on September 15, the birth anniversary of prominent Tamil Nadu leader C.N. Annadurai. Babies born in government hospitals from June 22 onwards will benefit from this scheme. June 22 also marks the birthday of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. A total of 128,499 rings have been ordered to cover the beneficiaries from June through September.

Order awarded to two companies

The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation has awarded the contract for supplying the rings to Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers. Joyalukkas is tasked with supplying 70% of the order (89,949 rings), while Kalyan Jewellers will supply 30% (38,550 rings). The rings will be made of 22-carat gold, with each weighing approximately one gram.

The government has allocated a budget of ₹755.83 crore to purchase 441,667 rings over the course of a year. Based on current market rates, the cost of a one-gram gold ring is estimated at approximately ₹14,850; however, the final price may vary depending on market fluctuations in gold rates.

Opposition raises questions regarding the tender.

The opposition has also raised questions in the Legislative Assembly concerning the tender for this scheme. Apart from the cost of the gold itself, Joyalukkas bid just 1 paisa per ring to cover all other charges—including processing, insurance, transport, and BIS hallmarking. The company has set this nominal service charge merely as a formality.

The government states that this scheme aims to encourage childbirth in government hospitals and foster greater public trust in the government healthcare system. Health Minister Arunraj also defended the scheme, noting that its objective is to strengthen public confidence in government health services.

What is the process to avail the benefits of the scheme?

Parents do not need to apply at any separate government office to avail the benefits of this scheme; the entire process is handled at the hospital level.

• Hospital Registration: When a pregnant woman is admitted to a government hospital for delivery, her details are recorded in the hospital's records.
• Verification of the Child: Following the birth, the hospital administration verifies the date of birth and the details of the delivery within the government hospital.
• Eligibility Check: Children born in a government hospital on or after June 22, 2026, will be considered eligible for the scheme.
• List of Beneficiaries: The hospital's health department will prepare a list of eligible newborns.