The Times of India

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expanded his cabinet to 33 ministers, with 23 new additions taking the oath. Notably, first-time MLA Marie Wilson was appointed Finance Minister, replacing an experienced predecessor. This marks the first coalition cabinet in Tamil Nadu since independence, with Congress MLAs securing portfolios and a record seven Dalit ministers included.

N Marie Wilson of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), who secured a dominant victory in the Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency, has been appointed to key finance, planning, and development portfolios in Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's new cabinet. Wilson's win was significant, surpassing the combined vote share of DMK and AIADMK.

During a Tamil Nadu Cabinet expansion, Governor Arlekar cautioned Congress MLA S. Rajesh Kumar to adhere strictly to the written oath after he deviated to praise party leaders. Kumar, along with other new ministers, took their oaths at Lok Bhavan. Subsequently, other TVK legislators also added party-specific slogans to their affirmations.

Chennai's representation in the state cabinet has been bolstered with the induction of two new MLAs, bringing the total number of ministers from the city to six. The expanded cabinet now comprises 33 ministers, with two berths potentially reserved for coalition partners. This marks a significant development with Congress MLAs joining the ministry for the first time.

Indigenous languages in Tamil Nadu, like Toda and Kota, face extinction due to migration and language shift. The University of Madras's IELLAB is working to document and preserve these critically endangered languages, recognizing their invaluable cultural and environmental knowledge before they disappear forever.

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami has launched a new publication named Porvaal (battle sword) in response to a rival faction's move. This name echoes a historical magazine started by Kanchi Manimozhiyar in 1947 to champion the cause of a separate Dravidian land, marking a significant chapter in Dravidian politics.

Chennai district has significantly improved its ranking, moving from 34th in 2025 to 29th in 2026 with a pass percentage of 92.34%. Government schools also saw a notable rise in performance, achieving an 86.25% pass rate. Girls outperformed boys, with 94.54% passing the exam.

Tamil Nadu marginally improved its SSLC performance in 2026, recording a 94.31% pass percentage compared to 93.80% last year. Girls outperformed boys by 4.32 percentage points, securing 96.47%. Out of 8.70 lakh students, Chennai ranked 29th with 92.34%. Pudukottai topped districts at 97.57%, while Sivagangai led among government schools. Private schools recorded the highest pass rate at 98.14%, and over 5,000 schools achieved cent per cent results.

In a meeting on Monday, the collegium approved three different proposals for appointment of judges presented by the state govt to the Union law minister and forwarded to the collegium.

Coimbatore faces a grim surge in suicides, with over 300 attempts monthly, predominantly among those under 40. Family disputes, health issues, and financial woes are key drivers. Police data reveals a concerning rise, outpacing road accident fatalities in this age group. Experts highlight a complex interplay of biological and external stressors contributing to this crisis.

After a decade-long campaign, two sets of Chola copper plates, held by Leiden University Library for nearly 200 years, have been returned to India. These significant historical artefacts, detailing royal charters for Buddhist shrines, were handed over at The Hague, marking a triumph for citizen-led heritage restitution efforts and diplomatic engagement.

R V Arlekar, who holds the additional charge of TN governor, is expected to arrive in Chennai on Wednesday night.

Vijay on X expressed solidarity with Tamils living across the world on Mullivaikkal remembrance day on Monday.

Tamil Nadu's School Education Minister Rajmohan stated the state will not implement the PM SHRI scheme, condemning the Centre's withholding of funds as pressure. He reaffirmed the state's commitment to the two-language policy of mother tongue and English. The minister also outlined plans to improve basic infrastructure in government schools and address enrollment imbalances.