Tamil Nadu
Free laptops, AI training, internships: Vijay government unveils youth-centric Tamil Nadu budget
Chennai/IBNS: The first revised Budget presented by the Tamil Nadu government under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay places a strong emphasis on youth empowerment, reflecting a strategy that is widely seen as aligning with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's (TVK) growing support among young voters, according to media reports.
Presenting the Budget in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Finance Minister Dr. N. Marie Wilson unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at students, job seekers and young professionals, with a focus on education, skill development, technology and employment.
Free laptops and bicycles for students
The government has earmarked Rs. 2,000 crore for the Vetri Laptop Scheme, under which free laptops will be distributed to college students.
While presenting the Budget, the Finance Minister said the scheme is intended to provide students with an "essential learning resource" to support academics and enhance skill development.
The Budget also allocates Rs. 277 crore to distribute free bicycles, helmets and water bottles to more than five lakh Class XI students studying in government and government-aided schools.
Major AI and technology push
The Vijay government has announced a partnership with IIT Madras to upskill five lakh youth enrolled in engineering colleges, polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) by 2031 under the AI Industry Development Programme.
Over the next five years, the government plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) courses in 50 ITIs, with an allocation of Rs. 10 crore.
The state also plans to expand the TN Spark Programme, extending AI, robotics and digital learning to an additional 2,600 schools, beyond the existing 5,000 government schools covered under the initiative.
The programme will be implemented in three phases:
Classes VI-VIII: Foundational learning
Classes IX-X: Intermediate-level training
Classes XI-XII: Specialised elective courses
Skill development and employment initiatives
The government has introduced the Vetri Skill Training Scheme, under which it aims to provide industry-oriented training to 12 lakh college students and one lakh unemployed youth.
To improve employability, the government will also launch an internship programme in collaboration with private industry. In the first phase, 20,000 young people will be offered internship opportunities, with preference given to candidates from families without a permanent source of employment.
The programme will provide monthly stipends to graduates as well as candidates with vocational qualifications.
Sports infrastructure gets a boost
In an effort to encourage sports among schoolchildren, the government has allocated Rs. 50 crore to establish 10 Olympic Centres of Excellence across the state.
The Budget also makes it mandatory for government and government-aided schools to include one hour of structured sports and physical activity on a regular basis.
Government reiterates stand against NEET
Reaffirming its opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the Vijay government cited concerns over alleged irregularities and paper leaks associated with the examination.
The state government urged the Centre to restore the earlier system of admitting students to medical courses based on Class XII board examination marks.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
