What Happened
- The Tamil Nadu government credited Rs 5,000 each to the bank accounts of 1.31 crore women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (Women's Rights Grant) scheme.
- The Rs 5,000 comprises the regular monthly instalment of Rs 1,000 for February, advance payments for March and April (Rs 3,000), and a special summer assistance of Rs 2,000 to help with increased living and medical costs.
- The Chief Minister also announced that the monthly grant would be increased to Rs 2,000 under the proposed "Dravidian Model of Governance 2.0" if the party returns to power in the upcoming state elections.
- The scheme was originally launched in September 2023, initially covering 1.13 crore women with a monthly transfer of Rs 1,000 to eligible women heads of families through direct bank transfers.
- The advance payment was positioned as a preemptive step to ensure beneficiaries receive their entitlements without disruption during the election period.
Static Topic Bridges
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Women's Financial Inclusion
India's Direct Benefit Transfer architecture, launched in 2013, enables cash transfers directly to beneficiary bank accounts using Aadhaar-linked identification. The DBT framework has been adopted by both central and state governments for welfare delivery, eliminating intermediaries and reducing leakages. The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity provides the infrastructure backbone. Multiple states now operate women-focused unconditional cash transfer schemes -- Madhya Pradesh's Ladli Behna Yojana (Rs 1,250/month), Karnataka's Gruha Lakshmi (Rs 2,000/month), and Maharashtra's Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (Rs 1,500/month).
- DBT has disbursed over Rs 2 lakh crore to women across multiple schemes
- Aadhaar-seeding eliminated over 9 crore duplicate/fake beneficiaries, saving approximately Rs 3.4 lakh crore
- At least 15 states operate some form of women-targeted cash transfer scheme
- Challenge: Less than 54% of Indian women own a mobile phone, affecting financial literacy and account access
- Jan Dhan accounts opened for women: Over 29 crore (as of 2025)
Connection to this news: Tamil Nadu's scheme is part of a national trend of state-level women-focused DBT programmes that leverage the JAM infrastructure. The advance payment of three months' instalments at once raises questions about fiscal prudence versus welfare continuity during election periods.
Directive Principles and Welfare State Obligations
Part IV of the Constitution contains Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) that, while not justiciable, serve as guidelines for state action. Article 38 directs the state to secure a social order promoting welfare, Article 39(a) mandates adequate means of livelihood for all citizens, and Article 39(e) requires protection of workers' health and strength. Article 46 directs the state to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections. Cash transfer schemes targeting women draw their policy justification from these constitutional directives on socio-economic justice.
- Article 38: State to promote welfare and minimise inequalities in income and status
- Article 39(a): Adequate means of livelihood for men and women equally
- Article 46: Promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections
- DPSPs are non-justiciable but fundamental in the governance of the country (Article 37)
- Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980): Balance between fundamental rights and DPSPs is part of the basic structure
Connection to this news: Unconditional cash transfers to women can be seen as the state fulfilling its DPSP obligations under Articles 38, 39, and 46. However, the timing of enhanced disbursements ahead of elections also raises debates about the line between welfare delivery and electoral inducement.
Model Code of Conduct and Pre-Election Welfare Announcements
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC), enforced by the Election Commission of India from the date of election announcement, prohibits the ruling party from using government machinery for electoral advantage. Specifically, the MCC bars new welfare scheme announcements, ad hoc appointments, and grants/payments that could influence voters after the election schedule is declared. However, continuing payments under existing schemes is generally permissible.
- MCC comes into force from the date the election schedule is announced
- Prohibits: New schemes, financial grants, promises of construction from public funds
- Permits: Continuation of existing schemes and committed expenditures
- Supreme Court in S. Subramaniam Balaji v. Government of Tamil Nadu (2013): Pre-election promises in manifestos do not amount to corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act
- Tamil Nadu elections expected in 2026; advance payments were made before MCC could take effect
Connection to this news: The advance payment of three months' instalments ahead of elections, while technically permissible as a continuation of an existing scheme, illustrates the grey zone between legitimate welfare delivery and pre-election populism that the MCC framework struggles to regulate.
Key Facts & Data
- Scheme: Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (Women's Rights Grant)
- Launched: September 2023; current beneficiaries: 1.31 crore women
- Regular monthly transfer: Rs 1,000 per beneficiary
- One-time credit on February 13, 2026: Rs 5,000 (Feb instalment + March-April advance + Rs 2,000 summer assistance)
- Proposed enhancement: Rs 2,000/month under "Dravidian Model 2.0" if re-elected
- At least 15 Indian states now run women-targeted cash transfer schemes
- DBT disbursements to women nationally: Over Rs 2 lakh crore
- Less than 54% of Indian women own a mobile phone, affecting financial access