Monthly food allowance of SC/ST hostel students to be increased: Tamil Nadu Social Justice Minister
The Tamil Nadu government has announced a significant increase in food and maintenance allowances for students living in SC/ST hostels. Additionally, the state plans to build new hostels, community halls, and a tribal culture center to support the socio-economic development of marginalized communities.
Why it matters
This policy shift reflects a targeted effort to improve educational outcomes and social welfare for historically disadvantaged groups in India.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu on Thursday (August 27, 2026) announced in the Assembly that, for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), the monthly food allowance for school hostel students will be increased from ₹1,400 to ₹1,800, while that for college hostel students will be increased from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000.
Making announcements for the Department of Social Justice in the Assembly, Mr. Vanni Arasu said the State government has allocated ₹200 crore for this purpose. He also announced that the annual maintenance allowance for school hostels for SC and ST students would be increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000, and that for college hostels from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.
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