Major Central and State Schemes for Tribal Welfare in India

Scheduled Tribes constitute 8.6% of India’s total population as per the 2011 Census, numbering 10.45 crore individuals spread across 30 States and Union Territories. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, established in 1999, serves as the nodal central authority for driving multi-sectoral tribal development. Government interventions focus on basic infrastructure, education, health, legal rights, and economic self-reliance across Scheduled Areas and tribal belts.

Central Flagship Missions for Tribal Upliftment

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA)

The Central Government launched this umbrella mission with an outlay of ₹79,156 crore over five years. The Central share is ₹56,333 crore, while the State share is ₹22,823 crore. The mission covers 63,843 tribal-majority villages across 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States and Union Territories, benefiting over 5 crore tribal citizens. It combines 25 target interventions managed by 17 Union Ministries to bridge infrastructure gaps in housing, power, water, roads, health, and skill training. Target villages must have a total population of at least 500 with 50% or more ST residents, or be located in Aspirational Districts with at least 50 ST residents.

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)

PM-JANMAN focuses on 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) living across 18 States and one Union Territory. Launched on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (November 15, 2023), it operates with an outlay of ₹24,000 crore over three years. The mission delivers 11 critical interventions through 9 line ministries, including permanent housing, clean drinking water, off-grid solar power connections, mobile medical units, and road connectivity.

Educational and Health Initiatives

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

The government establishes EMRS facilities in every sub-district or block with over 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal residents. Each school accommodates 480 students from Classes VI to XII with a 50% seat quota reserved for female students. The scheme targets a total of 728 operational schools across the country.

Scholarship and Fellowship Framework

• Pre-Matric Scholarship: Provides financial aid to ST students in Classes IX and X.
• Post-Matric Scholarship: Covers educational expenses for ST students from Class XI up to post-doctoral programs.
• National Overseas Scholarship: Grants 20 fully funded awards each year for meritorious ST scholars to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in international universities, with 30% seats reserved for women.
• National Fellowship for ST Students: Financial assistance for research scholars pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs in recognized Indian universities.

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Launched in 2023, this mission targets screening 7 crore individuals under 40 years of age in tribal-dominated districts by 2047. Sickle cell disease exhibits a high prevalence among tribal populations across central and peninsular India.

Economic Development and Livelihood Policies

Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojana (PMVDY)

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) administers PMVDY under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The scheme forms Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) grouping 15 tribal Self-Help Groups with 300 forest gatherers per cluster. It transitions gatherers from raw Minor Forest Produce (MFP) collection to local value addition, processing, packaging, and direct market access.

Support Institutions and Credit Mechanisms

• Minimum Support Price (MSP) for MFP: Fixes baseline prices for selected Non-Timber Forest Produces to protect tribal gatherers from price volatility and middleman exploitation.
• National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC): Provides concessional soft loans covering up to 90% of project costs for tribal entrepreneurs and self-help groups.
• Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): Mandates 41 Central Ministries and Departments to allocate dedicated funds from their annual budgets for tribal welfare projects.

Key State-Level Tribal Welfare Schemes

Key Facts for Quick Revision

• Scheduled Tribes represent 8.6% of India’s population as per Census 2011.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was set up in 1999 after bifurcating from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan covers 63,843 villages across 30 States and UTs with an outlay of ₹79,156 crore.
• PM-JANMAN targets 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 States and 1 UT with a ₹24,000 crore outlay.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools are built in blocks containing over 50% ST population and a minimum of 20,000 tribal inhabitants.
• Every EMRS accommodates up to 480 students across Classes VI through XII, maintaining a 50% seat reservation for female students.
• PM Van Dhan Vikas Yojana aggregates 300 forest gatherers across 15 SHGs into single Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
• The National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students provides 20 awards annually, reserving 30% of seats for female applicants.
• The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aims to screen 7 crore individuals under age 40 by 2047.
• NSTFDC offers concessional loans covering up to 90% of project costs for tribal start-ups and self-employment ventures.