Tamil NaduTuesday, 18 August 2026·The Hindu - National
Tamil Nadu Health Department announces 115 measures, Nalam 360 annual free check-up and new health laws
Tamil Nadu announced 115 health-sector measures including Nalam 360, a new health law, and 2,500 permanent nurse posts.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, Health Minister K.G. Arunraj announced 115 measures for Tamil Nadu’s Health Department with an estimated outlay of ₹2,997 crore, including new laws, staffing and digital health initiatives.
Key specifics
- The Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, will be replaced by a modern comprehensive Act.
- Unsupervised home births outside hospitals will become a punishable offence under the new provision.
- ‘Nalam 360’ will provide 14 basic tests annually for people aged 30+ across 1,257 government health facilities.
- 2,500 permanent staff nurse posts will be created, and contract nurses will be absorbed into regular time-scale pay.
- 3,594 medical staff across 24 categories will be recruited through the Medical Services Recruitment Board.
Exam lens
TNPSC governance and health-policy question: match the Act, the scheme, and the staffing numbers. One-liner: Tamil Nadu’s 2026 health package combines legal reform, annual screening, and large-scale recruitment.