Tamil Nadu Social Justice Dept. raises food allowance for students in hostels, residential schools

Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu. File | Photo Credit: B. Thamodharan The Tamil Nadu government has ordered an increase in the monthly food allowance for students staying in school hostels, residential schools, and college hostels run by the Department of Social Justice.A government order to this effect was issued by the Social Justice Department following the announcement made by Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu in this regard during the Budget session of the Assembly.Under the revised rates, the monthly food allowance for school students staying in hostels will be increased from ₹1,400 to ₹1,800 per student. For college students staying in hostels, the allowance will be raised from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per student.The scheme will cover students staying in a total of 1,169 hostels under the Directorate of Adi Dravidar Welfare, including 859 school hostels, 18 school hostels operated by voluntary organisations, and 292 college hostels, and 379 institutions under the Directorate of Tribal Welfare, including 316 government tribal residential schools, 38 school hostels for tribal students, 11 Forest Department schools, three school hostels operated by voluntary organisations, and 11 college hostels.A total of ₹29.41 crore has been allocated for implementing the scheme from October 2026 to March 2027. Published - October 24, 2026 01:28 pm IST