Abstract: The paper examines the trends, rate of growth, and impact of COVID-19 on public expenditure on social services and within sub-sectors in Tamil Nadu, covering the period from 2018-19 to 2024-25. Finding reveals that from 2018-19 to 2024-25, the quantum of expenditure on social services has increased significantly, showing a robust commitment to human development and social equity, with a clear emphasis on addressing critical societal needs. Social services consistently accounted for the largest share of the budget for total expenditure. Per capita expenditure on social services also rose significantly, outstripping the total state budget’s per capita growth. This signals a stronger focus on delivering tangible benefits to citizens, particularly the vulnerable. Within social services, education, sports, art, and culture appeared as the dominant sub-sectors, reflecting sustained investment in human capital. Particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic “social welfare and nutrition”, “water supply, sanitation, housing, and urban development” and “health and family welfare” saw a remarkable increase, driven by relief measures like free ration and poverty alleviation programs during the pandemic growth also highlighting efforts to modernize urban infrastructure and ensure public hygiene, especially during COVID-19, health and family welfare significant spike address healthcare demands like hospital beds and vaccination drives. Welfare for SC, ST, and OBC and labour welfare experienced moderate growth, although the pandemic showed a switch in funding from these areas to more pressing needs, such as buying food. In summary, Tamil Nadu's expenditures in these conditions prove a moderately managed urgency associated with the pandemic response and the long-term development goals of the state. The balanced growth in social services expenditures, especially those dedicated to education, social welfare, and urban services, confirms the state's charter to enhance its Human Development Index and achieve sustainable and fair growth.