Current MLA
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Electors
Latest Election
Constituency Overview
Yercaud (ST) Assembly Constituency is located in **Salem district** of Tamil Nadu and forms part of the **Salem Lok Sabha constituency**. Reserved for **Scheduled Tribe (ST)** candidates, the constituency covers the picturesque **Shevaroy Hills (Servarayan Hills)** and adjoining foothill regions in the Eastern Ghats. It is centred around the popular hill station of **Yercaud**, one of Tamil Nadu's leading eco-tourism destinations. Known as the **"Jewel of the South"** because of its pleasant climate and scenic beauty, Yercaud is famous for its coffee plantations, orange groves, spice cultivation, forests and waterfalls. The constituency is also home to several tribal communities, including the **Malayali** tribes, who have inhabited the hills for centuries.
The constituency enjoys good connectivity through the **Yercaud Ghat Road**, which links the hill station with Salem city, and a network of state highways connecting the foothill towns and villages. Agriculture, horticulture and tourism are the backbone of the local economy. Coffee is the principal plantation crop, while oranges, pepper, cardamom, jackfruit, bananas and vegetables are widely cultivated. Tourism, hospitality, floriculture, spice cultivation, forestry, dairy farming and government services provide significant employment. The constituency is also home to educational institutions such as **The Montfort School**, one of India's well-known residential schools.
Location
Approximate location of Yercaud Assembly Constituency, Salem district.
2026 Election Result
Usharani. P
Votes: 87,772
—
Votes: 85,583
Victory margin: 2,189 votes
Political History
Yercaud has traditionally been one of the politically significant Scheduled Tribe reserved constituencies in Tamil Nadu. Electoral contests have primarily been between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC) and other regional political parties.
Tribal welfare, tourism development, road connectivity, horticulture, environmental conservation and employment generation have consistently shaped electoral outcomes. Protection of forest resources and sustainable development remain important political themes.
Demographics
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Key Development Issues
Tribal welfare and sustainable tourism remain the foremost priorities in Yercaud. Tribal communities seek improved healthcare, education, drinking water supply, road connectivity and livelihood opportunities while preserving their traditional way of life.
Coffee growers and horticulturists seek better market access, irrigation support, crop insurance and value-addition facilities. Residents also seek improved digital connectivity, disaster management infrastructure, eco-tourism facilities and environmental conservation measures. Landslide prevention and forest protection continue to receive significant attention.
Constituency Insights
Yercaud combines ecological richness with a plantation-based economy. The electorate includes Scheduled Tribe communities, coffee growers, horticulturists, tourism operators, traders, government employees, teachers, students and small business owners.
Coffee cultivation, tourism and horticulture dominate the local economy, while hospitality, floriculture and forestry provide supplementary employment. The constituency's unique hill ecosystem makes environmental conservation and sustainable tourism essential for long-term development. Voters generally prioritise tribal welfare, infrastructure, healthcare, education, tourism development and employment opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is Yercaud Assembly Constituency located?
A: Yercaud (ST) Assembly Constituency is located in Salem district of Tamil Nadu and forms part of the Salem Lok Sabha constituency.
Q: Is Yercaud a reserved constituency?
A: Yes. Yercaud Assembly Constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.
Q: Who is the current MLA of Yercaud?
A: G. Chitra of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is the current MLA of Yercaud, having won the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election.
Q: Why is Yercaud Assembly Constituency important?
A: Yercaud is one of Tamil Nadu's premier hill stations, known for its coffee plantations, pleasant climate, tribal communities and eco-tourism. It is also one of the state's few Scheduled Tribe reserved Assembly constituencies.
Q: What are the major economic activities in Yercaud?
A: Coffee cultivation, tourism, horticulture, spice cultivation, floriculture, forestry and government services are the major economic activities in the constituency.
Q: What are the major crops grown in Yercaud?
A: Coffee, oranges, pepper, cardamom, jackfruit, bananas and vegetables are among the major crops cultivated in the constituency.
Q: Is Yercaud an urban or rural constituency?
A: Yercaud is a predominantly hill and rural constituency comprising Yercaud town, hill villages and tribal settlements across the Shevaroy Hills.
Q: Which Lok Sabha constituency does Yercaud belong to?
A: Yercaud Assembly Constituency is part of the Salem Lok Sabha constituency.
Q: What are the key development issues in Yercaud?
A: Tribal welfare, road connectivity, sustainable tourism, healthcare, education, environmental conservation, drinking water supply and employment generation are among the major concerns.
Q: Why is Yercaud famous?
A: Yercaud is famous for its scenic Shevaroy Hills, coffee plantations, Yercaud Lake, Lady's Seat, Pagoda Point, orange orchards and pleasant climate. It is one of South India's most popular hill stations and is often called the "Jewel of the South."
Q: What factors influence elections in Yercaud?
A: Tribal welfare, tourism development, horticultural growth, environmental conservation, infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment opportunities, welfare schemes and local leadership are among the most important factors influencing elections in the constituency.