Residents of Tamil Nadu can now access a wide range of government services directly through a WhatsApp-based chatbot called ‘Namma Arasu’, making public services easier and faster to use.

The platform was launched by State IT Minister P. Thiaga Rajan in partnership with Meta, and has been developed by the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (TNeGA). Through a single conversational interface, citizens can access 50 government services, including certificate downloads, utility and tax bill payments, welfare scheme services, property registration, ration card facilities, grievance filing, temple donations and tourism-related bookings.

Officials said the initiative is aimed at simplifying service delivery and reducing the need for physical visits to e-Seva centres. The government plans to introduce 50 additional services over the next three months, with further expansion based on user feedback.

TNeGA Chief Executive Officer Dr Alby John Varghese said the chatbot has been built on an advanced, intent-based conversational design that allows it to understand the meaning and context of user requests, rather than relying only on keyword-based commands. This makes interactions more natural and responsive for users.

Citizens can access the chatbot via WhatsApp at +91 7845 252525, and services are currently available in both Tamil and English.

Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Country Head of Meta India, said the initiative will help bring essential government services closer to citizens by providing real-time access to high-demand functions such as bill payments and certificate services.

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Alongside the launch, the state government also signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth ₹9,820 crore, which are expected to generate around 4,250 jobs. Major investment commitments included ₹5,000 crore from Better Compute Works and ₹4,500 crore from EROS Gen AI, while companies such as WeLoadin Studio, Phantom Digital Effects and Rewin Health also signed agreements.

The government said ‘Namma Arasu’ marks a significant step in strengthening digital governance and expanding citizen access to public services through simple, widely used platforms.

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