Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) for providing quality education to tribal students in their own environment. EMRSs are established at par with Navodaya Vidyalayas with special facilities for providing training in sports and skill development. Under the new central sector scheme of EMRS, infrastructure has been enhanced to create a conducive environment by standardizing the norms for construction of schools including campus layout, built-up area, facade design, material specifications etc.

During 2021-22, the cost of construction of EMRSs was enhanced from Rs. 20 crore to Rs. 37.80 crore in plain areas and from Rs. 24 crores to Rs. 48 crores for Hilly, NE and LWE areas. The enhancement of the cost is to ensure all aspects of the school including construction, additional features of sports/ co-curricular facilities, hostel accommodation for girls and boys, principal quarters, teaching and non-teaching staff quarters, guest house and other activities to develop EMRSs as institutions for holistic development of tribal students.

National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization, has been created to manage and implement the scheme of EMRS. As reported by NESTS, as on date a total number of 694 EMRSs have been sanctioned in different States/UTs in the country, out of which 401 are functional and construction of 271 EMRSs are completed. Ministry releases funds to NESTS and NESTS further releases funds to States/ UTs/ PSUs/ Construction Agencies/ State Societies for construction of EMRSs and running the schools. Funds released by the Ministry to NESTS under EMRS scheme during the last three years are as under:

Financial year	Funds released to NESTS
2020-21	1199.98 cr.
2021-22	1057.74 cr.
2022-23	1999.90 cr.

This information was given by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS, DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, today.

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