Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment to the holistic development of tribal communities across the country. A comprehensive suite of initiatives—ranging from scholarships, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Article 275(1) grants, PM-JANMAN, DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), to livelihood programs and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)—continue to drive inclusive growth and empowerment among tribal populations.

In line with this vision, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs conducted a three-day National Review and Orientation Meeting from 15th to 17th April 2025 in New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Shri VibhuNayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the guidance of Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri JualOram. The review brought together Principal Secretaries, Tribal Welfare Secretaries, Directors, and senior officials from States and Union Territories to evaluate progress and recalibrate strategies for accelerated implementation.

Strengthening IEC Campaign, Benefit Saturation Camp &Ground-Level Implementationof PM-JANMAN & DAJGUA

In his inaugural address, Secretary Shri VibhuNayar stressed the importance of district- and block-level capacity building and robust institutional mechanisms to ensure effective on-ground execution& IEC Campaign ofPM-JANMAN and DAJGUA.

Key Highlights:

• PM-JANMAN, launched on 15th November 2023 from Khunti (the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda), aims to uplift 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 30,000 habitations, providing comprehensive last-mile delivery of housing, water, sanitation, education, healthcare, nutrition, and digital connectivity for approximately 45 lakh beneficiaries.
• DAJGUA, a convergence-based initiative across 17 Union Ministries, targets the transformation of 63,843 tribal villages in 549 districts, impacting over 5.5 crore tribal citizens through 25 integrated interventions.
• States have been directed to achieve complete saturation of interventions under PM-JANMAN by 15th November 2025, marking the 150th birth anniversaryofBhagwan Birsa Munda.
• Emphasis was placed on village-wise tracking, physical completion, and quarterly progress reporting ending June 2025, with certification from Gram Sabhas as a mandatory milestone for saturation.
• States were encouraged to replicate best practices from high-performing districts and bring lagging areas at par through knowledge-sharing and convergence.
• States were encouraged to start IEC Campaign & Benefit saturation camp for DAJGUA in coming few weeks.
• States were encouraged to sanction interventions under DAJGUA at faster pace.

Elevating Quality of Education through EMRS

The review laid strong emphasis on improving academic and infrastructural standards in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The Ministry’s vision is to transform EMRS into centres of academic excellence, nurturing future tribal leaders and innovators.

Action Points:

• Recruitment and continuous training of qualified teachers
• Infrastructure upgrades and smart classroom facilities
• Integration of experiential learning and 21st-century skills
• Enhanced student and staff welfare mechanisms
• State-wise progress on each EMRS construction was closely reviewed

Expanding Access and Efficiency in Scholarships

To ensure no tribal student is left behind, the Secretary urged states to step up efforts to increase awareness and timely disbursal of pre- and post-matric scholarships.

Directives to States:

• Ensure timely and transparent disbursal
• Remove bureaucratic and procedural bottlenecks
• Integrate all states into the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or states having portal to integrate NSP portal throughAPI-based systems
• Ensure disbursal at the beginning of the academic year to maximize impact

 

Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh: A Year of Impactful Action

Recognizing the year as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, Shri VibhuNayarhas given special emphasis to States and TRIs to organize thematic events/ activities / campaigns / initiatives that honour tribal heritage while promoting social and economic inclusion. The key themes include:Education & Skill Development, Health & Nutrition, Livelihood & Entrepreneurship, Preservation of Tribal Art, Culture, and Language, Infrastructure and Service Delivery.

A whole-of-government approach—involving collaboration with Line Ministries, State Departments, NGOs, and Corporates—was advocated to ensure deeper engagement and measurable impact.

Preserving Tribal Arts, Culture, and Languages: Adi Sanskriti& Adi Vaani

The Secretary emphasized accelerating theinitiatives like Adi Sanskriti and Adi Vaani.

• Adi Sanskriti Project focuses on creating quality content for Tribal Art Academy, Digital Repository, and Tribal Haat to curate and promote tribal art, cuisine, rituals, and cultural expressions.
• Adi Vaani, an AI-driven multilingual translation platform, is being leveraged to overcome language barriers in education and governance.
• States have been instructed to identify low-resource tribal languages for AI-based documentation and development.

Combating Sickle Cell Disease: Centers of Competency

As part of the National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia, the Ministry announced the establishment of Centers of Competency in tribal regions. These centres will act as hubs for screening, treatment, capacity building, and community outreach.

The three-day review culminated in a renewed commitment to inclusive, technology-driven, and community-centric approaches to tribal development. The roadmap ahead emphasizes:

• Stronger inter-ministerial convergence
• Capacity building at every administrative level
• Active community participation for sustainable outcomes
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs continues to lead with vision and resolve, ensuring that
• tribal citizen becomes a key stakeholder in India's growth storyTop of Form    

RN/PIB

(Release ID: 2122585)