Annai Teresa Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme for Orphan Girls-II 2025–26

The Annai Teresa Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme for Orphan Girls-II is a significant welfare initiative launched by the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. The scheme aims to support orphan girls financially during their marriage. By providing monetary assistance and gold for making the Thirumangalyam (a sacred marriage ornament in Tamil culture), the state government ensures that such girls are not deprived of the opportunity to get married due to financial hardships.

This scheme reflects the Tamil Nadu government’s commitment to women empowerment and social justice by directly aiding some of the most vulnerable groups in society. It is also a recognition of the importance of cultural traditions and the financial burden that weddings can place on economically disadvantaged individuals.

Objectives of the Scheme

The primary objectives of the Annai Teresa Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme for Orphan Girls-II are:

1. Financial Support for Marriage – To provide financial assistance to orphan girls at the time of their marriage.
2. Cultural Preservation – To ensure that orphan brides can afford the essential gold required for Thirumangalyam, a crucial part of Tamil marriage ceremonies.
3. Women Empowerment – To empower orphan girls by ensuring they can marry with dignity and social acceptance.
4. Social Security – To reduce the financial burden and stress on guardians or relatives responsible for orphan girls.
5. Promotion of Higher Education – By linking eligibility to education (degree or diploma), the scheme indirectly encourages girls to pursue formal education.

Key Features of the Scheme

The scheme is uniquely designed to address both cultural and financial aspects of marriage. Some of its key features include:

• Financial Assistance: Eligible orphan girls receive ₹25,000 as a one-time financial grant.
• Gold Assistance: Along with cash, the scheme provides one sovereign (8 grams) of 22-carat gold specifically for the making of Thirumangalyam.
• Electronic Disbursal: The assistance is disbursed through the Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) to ensure transparency, speed, and safety in fund transfers.
• Inclusive Application Process: Applications can be made both online (via CSCs) and offline.
• Educational Criteria: Only girls who have passed a degree or diploma from recognized institutions are eligible, ensuring the program promotes education.
• Time-bound Application: Applications must be submitted 40 days before the marriage date, though exceptional cases allow for submission up to one day before marriage.

Financial Assistance (Scholarship Amount Equivalent)

The assistance under the scheme is a combination of cash and gold:

• Cash Benefit: ₹25,000/- per eligible orphan girl.
• Gold Benefit: 1 sovereign (8 grams) of 22-carat gold for making Thirumangalyam.

This dual benefit ensures that the orphan bride not only gets financial support but also fulfills the cultural requirement of wearing Thirumangalyam at the wedding.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility conditions under this scheme are specific to ensure that only deserving orphan girls benefit:

1. Gender – The applicant must be a girl.
2. Orphan Status – The girl should be an orphan (both parents deceased). An orphan certificate issued by a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is mandatory.
3. Age – The bride must be 18 years or above at the time of marriage.
4. Educational Qualification:
   • Must have passed a degree from a regular college, distance education, or a government-recognized open university.
   • OR must have passed a diploma from an institution recognized by the Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Tamil Nadu.
5. Residency – The applicant must be a resident of Tamil Nadu.
6. Marital Status – The assistance is available only at the time of first marriage.

Reservation Policy

While there is no specific caste-based reservation in this scheme, it is a targeted welfare program designed exclusively for orphan girls. This ensures that the benefits reach the most vulnerable group without discrimination.

Additionally, the gold benefit reflects sensitivity to Tamil culture, making the scheme inclusive of social customs.

Distribution of Assistance

The distribution of assistance is carefully planned:

• The cash amount (₹25,000) is transferred directly to the bank account of the applicant via Electronic Clearing Service (ECS).
• The one sovereign gold coin (22 carat) is provided specifically for making the Thirumangalyam.
• Verification of documents, identity, and eligibility is done at the district level by the Social Welfare Department to ensure authenticity.

Application Process (Step by Step)

Applicants can apply online via Common Service Centers (CSCs) or through the offline process. The steps are:

Online Process

1. Document Preparation – Gather all required documents (death certificates, income certificate, marriage invitation, etc.).
2. CSC Visit – Visit the nearest Common Service Center (CSC).
3. Biometric Verification – Complete the mandatory biometric verification process.
4. Form Filling – Fill in the application form at the CSC with personal, educational, and marriage details.
5. Upload Documents – Attach scanned copies of the required documents.
6. Submission – Submit the form online.
7. Acknowledgment – Collect the acknowledgment slip or receipt from the CSC with details like submission date, time, and unique application ID.

Offline Process

1. Obtain the application form from the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department or the district office.
2. Fill in all required details carefully.
3. Attach copies of the required documents.
4. Submit the completed application form to the concerned office.
5. Receive acknowledgment of submission.

Documents Required

The following documents are mandatory for applying under the scheme:

1. Death Certificates of Parents OR Orphan Certificate issued by MP/MLA.
2. Income Certificate issued by the Tahsildar.
3. Marriage Invitation.
4. Age Proof (Birth Certificate/School Certificate).
5. Bride’s Recent Photograph.
6. Bills for purchase of marriage articles worth ₹1,000.
7. Educational Certificates (Degree/Diploma).
8. Any other documents required by the Department.

Application Deadline

• Applications must be submitted at least 40 days before the marriage date.
• In exceptional cases, applications may be submitted one day before the marriage date with valid justification.

Renewal Policy

This is a one-time assistance scheme provided at the time of marriage. Hence, there is no renewal policy under this program.

Withdraw or Cancellation

The scheme benefits may be withdrawn or cancelled under the following conditions:

• If the information provided in the application is found to be false.
• If the applicant is not an orphan but falsely claims benefits.
• If the girl is under 18 years of age at the time of marriage.
• If duplicate or multiple applications are submitted for the same beneficiary.

In such cases, the government reserves the right to cancel the benefit and initiate legal action.