The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) is a flagship social welfare scheme of the Government of Tamil Nadu, framed as a gender-focused conditional cash transfer or a form of Universal Basic Income (UBI) for women. The scheme was officially launched on September 15, 2023, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Dravidian leader C.N. Annadurai, and is named after former Chief Minister Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi.
The scheme's origin lies in the ruling DMK party's 2021 state assembly election manifesto, and it was introduced to address the problem of economic inequality and the lack of recognition for women's unpaid household labor. It is framed as a "Right" (Urimai) rather than a charity, aiming to provide financial autonomy and elevate women's bargaining power within the family.
The core mechanism involves providing a monthly financial benefit of ₹1,000 (₹12,000 annually) directly into the bank accounts of eligible women who are the heads of their households. Eligibility is strictly defined by economic criteria: the family's annual income must be less than ₹2.5 lakh, annual household electricity consumption must be below 3,600 units, and land ownership must not exceed 5 acres of wetland or 10 acres of dryland. Certain categories, such as income tax payees, government employees, and four-wheeler owners, are ineligible.
The KMUT scheme connects to the broader concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI) and the Dravidian Model of Governance, which prioritizes social justice and welfare. Its success has influenced similar guaranteed income schemes in other states like Karnataka and Maharashtra. The scheme has not been replaced or amended but has seen a massive rollout, with over 1.06 crore women approved as beneficiaries in the initial phase. The state allocated ₹7,000 crore for its implementation in the 2023-24 budget.