T. Mano Thangaraj

T. Mano Thangaraj was born on 1 June 1967 in Karungal, Kanyakumari district, to Thangaraj Nadar (father). He completed his schooling at LMS School, Palliyadi, and later studied at Nesamony Memorial Christian College (NMCC), Marthandam, where he served as student union chairman. He earned a Master’s degree in English literature from Annamalai University in May 1997.

Before entering legislative politics, Thangaraj engaged in political activism, including protesting against water diversion from the Pechiparai Reservoir for the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant in 1988, and served as district panchayat chairman from 1996 to 2006.

He entered electoral politics successfully in 2016, winning the Padmanabhapuram Assembly constituency as a DMK candidate, and retained the seat in 2021 with a wider vote share, solidifying his local and party support.

After the DMK formed the government in 2021, Thangaraj was appointed Minister of Information & Technology & Digital Services (7 May 2021 – 10 May 2023), where he engaged in digital governance and technology outreach efforts for the state. He was later assigned the Milk and Dairy Development portfolio in 2023.

In a cabinet reshuffle on 28 April 2025, he was re-inducted as Minister for Milk and Dairy Development following the resignation of two senior ministers, returning to oversee cooperatives and dairy sector work.

As of 2026, he continues to serve as MLA and minister, advancing dairy development, rural welfare, and community initiatives.