Recent Current Affairs related to Tamil Nadu

EM Sudarsana Natchiappan, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress (INC) and former Union Minister, passed away at the age of 78.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced the establishment of a world-class “TN Olympic City” in Chennai to strengthen sports infrastructure and enhance India medal prospects in global events.

The state will set up a Talent Research Wing (TRW) and Olympic Centres of Excellence in 10 locations to foster athletic development. A “Motor Sports City” will also be developed to host Formula racing events.

Solomon Pappaiah, a veteran Tamil scholar and renowned orator, passed away at the age of 90. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri in 2021.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has signed an MoU with the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai to promote the self-reliance and inclusion of refugees in India.

The Tamil Nadu government has signed 97 MoUs worth over ₹67,542 crore during the first major investment conclave of the state. These projects are scheduled for implementation within 6 months to 1 year.

Key investments include ₹1,000 crore by Titan Company Ltd (Titan) in Hosur and ₹2,500 crore by the Hinduja Group, which includes a 200 megawatt (MW) solar, wind, and battery-based renewable energy project.

The Government of India has signed a $230 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the “Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project”.

The initiative aims to modernize water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Chennai to strengthen the resilience of the city against climate change. The project also seeks to improve public health and quality of life by establishing a more efficient and financially sustainable urban water system.

The Tamil Nadu government has launched the ‘Vetri Vaanmagal’ scheme to train women farmers in drone operation, promote precision agriculture, and create high-tech employment opportunities in the rural economy.

P Pechiyammal and Govindhammal from Tamil Nadu have been jointly conferred the “Dr. MS Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection 2026”.

N Marie Wilson, the Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu, has presented the maiden budget of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government for the FY27. The state government has set a target to achieve a $1.5 trillion economy by 2031.

The Tamil Nadu government has introduced the Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission and a carbon trading scheme for farmers in its Agriculture Budget 2026-27.

The Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission has been allocated ₹600 crore. A demonstration phase for the carbon trading scheme has also been launched with an allocation of ₹60 lakh to cover 2,000 acres, aimed at establishing monitoring and verification protocols.

The Tamil Nadu government has banned the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of artificially coloured appalams, vadams, and fryums in the state.

Separately, the Maharashtra government has enforced a one-year ban on the manufacturing, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of analogue (non-dairy or synthetic) paneer.

The Tamil Nadu government has signed 4 MoUs with leading global companies to facilitate the establishment of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), Research & Development (R&D) centres, and a manufacturing facility.

As part of these agreements, the state government has also signed an MoU with the University of Western Australia (UWA) to establish its India campus in Velachery, Chennai, with an investment of ₹125 crore.

The central government has approved the development of two new Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) in Tamil Nadu under the 'EMC 2.0' scheme to expand the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) ecosystem.

The projects, managed by the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamilnadu Ltd (SIPCOT), involve a combined investment of ₹1,012.02 crore. This includes the Manallur EMC in Tiruvallur district (474.3 acres) costing ₹587.47 crore, and the Pillapaikkam EMC in Kancheepuram district (379.3 acres) costing ₹424.55 crore.

The Tamil Nadu government has launched the 'Nalam TN' integrated digital platform to facilitate fast and remote Outpatient (OP) registration and appointments at government hospitals across the state.

It has also introduced the Tamil Nadu Health Foundation (Nalam TN) portal under the Health & Family Welfare Department, which allows individuals and corporate entities to transparently sponsor medical equipment or make direct donations to specific government hospitals.

Aswath S, a 17-year-old from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, has become India's 98th Grandmaster (GM). He attained this title by finishing as the runner-up at the Pune International Grandmaster Round Robin Tournament held in Pune, Maharashtra.

The central government has approved the procurement of Khopra and Totapuri mangoes from farmers in Tamil Nadu under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to ensure better price realization and protect producers from distress sales.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has approved the procurement of 87,226 metric tonnes (MT) of Khopra and 96,879 MT of Totapuri mangoes at a price of ₹1,545.41 per quintal.

The Tamil Nadu government has appointed Mylswamy Annadurai, a former ISRO scientist, as the Chairman of the Curriculum Design Committee (CDC) for School Education for a 3-year tenure.

Puviyarasu, a renowned Tamil poet, passed away at the age of 96. He was a two-time recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, receiving it for Translation in 2006-07 for "Puratchikaran" and for Original Poetry in 2009-10 for his collection "Kaiyoppam".

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has highlighted that the VO Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) has achieved a 45% reduction in net carbon emissions, emerging as a model for sustainable maritime development. The port has also been recognised as a Scope-2 Emission Free Port.

During the event, the minister dedicated 6 key initiatives. The port released its inaugural sustainability disclosure, the "VOCPA Sustainability Report 2026" titled "Towards a Green Maritime Future", along with a case study by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta titled "The Hydrogen Pivot: Orchestrating the Green Transition at VO Chidambaranar Port Authority."

The port also inaugurated the 'vidya pravesh' (academic activities) for the 2026-27 academic year at the newly established Kendriya Vidyalaya located at the Port Colony in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

NLC India has signed an MoU with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, to develop technologies for the extraction of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and critical minerals from mining waste.