Center-State Fiscal Relations and Educational Equity in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of Center-State fiscal relations on educational equity and quality in Tamil Nadu through a mixed-methods approach. Utilizing government budget data, policy document analysis, and demographic surveys, the research highlights the critical role of state fiscal supplementation amid conditional central funding. Quantitative analysis exposes stark disparities in resource distribution between rural and urban districts and ongoing infrastructural deficits despite increased budgets. Qualitative insights reveal the impacts of delayed central funds on state policy autonomy and curriculum implementation. The study proposes reforms emphasizing flexible fiscal arrangements, decentralized resource management, and enhanced accountability mechanisms to tackle persistent inequities and improve educational outcomes. Tamil Nadu’s case offers valuable lessons for evolving India’s fiscal federalism to support equitable education.