Major Central and State Schemes for Tribal Welfare in India

India houses a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 10.45 crore according to the 2011 Census, constituting 8.6% of the national population spread across more than 705 distinct communities. To address historical socio-economic disadvantages, land alienation, and structural infrastructure deficits in tribal regions, the Government of India and state administration execute multi-sectoral welfare initiatives. These interventions focus on educational access, healthcare delivery, minor forest produce monetization, village infrastructure saturation, and cultural preservation across Fifth and Sixth Schedule areas.

Major Central Schemes for Tribal Welfare

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan

The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan in September 2024 with a total financial outlay of ₹79,156 crore, comprising a central share of ₹56,333 crore and a state share of ₹22,823 crore. The mission adopts a saturation approach to eliminate infrastructure gaps across approximately 63,000 tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts in 549 districts across 30 States and Union Territories. It encompasses 25 target interventions delivered by 17 line ministries under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST).

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

Launched on November 15, 2023, during Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in Khunti, Jharkhand, PM-JANMAN focuses on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The scheme operates with an outlay of ₹24,104 crore over three fiscal years (2023-24 to 2025-26) to serve 75 PVTG communities living in 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Implemented by 9 line ministries, the mission covers 11 critical interventions including pucca housing, piped water supply, mobile medical units, electricity connections, and 4G telecom towers.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

Established under Article 275(1) of the Constitution in 1997-98 and revamped as a dedicated scheme in 2018, EMRS provides free quality education from Class VI to XII for tribal students. The government targets setting up 740 EMRS facilities in every block with at least 50% ST population and a minimum of 20,000 tribal persons. Each school has a sanctioned capacity of 480 students, with equal seats for boys and girls.

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission and Van Dhan Yojana

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs executes the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) to strengthen tribal market access. Its key component, the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, was launched on April 14, 2018, with the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) as the national nodal agency. The program forms Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKCs) consisting of 15 self-help groups with 300 tribal gatherers each. TRIFED provides ₹15 lakh per cluster for training, primary processing, grading, and value addition of Minor Forest Produce (MFP).

National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Launched on July 1, 2023, from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, this mission aims to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease by the year 2047. The program targets universal screening of 7 crore individuals under 40 years of age across 278 high-prevalence districts in 17 states. It incorporates early diagnostic testing, distribution of Sickle Cell Status Cards, and access to Hydroxyurea medication through public health centers.

Key State-Specific Tribal Welfare Initiatives

Odisha: Special Development Councils and ANVESHA

Odisha established Special Development Councils (SDCs) to conserve and promote indigenous tribal culture, language, and sacred groves across tribal-dominated districts. Under the ANVESHA scheme, the state government provides free residential education to ST students in urban private schools from Class I to XII, bearing all boarding, lodging, and tuition expenses.

Madhya Pradesh: MP Ahar Anudan Yojna and Ration Aapke Gram

The Madhya Pradesh government executes the Ahar Anudan Yojna, transferring ₹1,500 per month directly to female heads of households belonging to the Baiga, Bharia, and Sahariya PVTGs to prevent malnutrition. Under the Ration Aapke Gram scheme, the state delivers monthly subsidized foodgrains directly to tribal doorsteps using specialized vehicles in Scheduled V areas.

Jharkhand: Birsa Harit Gram Yojana and Overseas Scholarships

Jharkhand implements the Birsa Harit Gram Yojana to utilize uncultivated tribal lands for commercial fruit plantation, generating sustainable income for over one lakh tribal families. The state also offers the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship, fully funding ST students to pursue higher education at select universities in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Telangana: Giri Vikas Scheme

Telangana runs the Giri Vikas program to transform fallow tribal lands into cultivated farms. The scheme provides free borewell drilling, motor pump installations, three-phase power connections, and drip irrigation units to small and marginal tribal farmers.

Institutional and Legal Frameworks Supporting Tribal Schemes

• Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996: Extends local self-governance to Fifth Schedule areas, empowering Gram Sabhas to manage community resources, approve village plans, and control minor forest produce.
• Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: Recognizes individual forest tenure rights up to 4 hectares and community forest rights for traditional forest-dwelling tribes residing prior to December 13, 2005.
• Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): Mandates earmarking fixed budget allocations across 41 Central Ministries for tribal-specific development projects.
• National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC): Functions as a concessional micro-finance institution offering term loans, micro-credit, and auto-rickshaw loans to ST entrepreneurs at subsidized interest rates.

Key Facts and Technical Data

• ST Population Census Data: According to the 2011 Census, Madhya Pradesh has the largest ST population in absolute terms (1.53 crore), while Lakshadweep (94.8%) and Mizoram (94.4%) hold the highest percentage of ST population.
• PVTG Classification Criteria: Formulated based on the Dhebar Commission (1960-61) findings, PVTGs are identified by pre-agricultural technology, declining or stagnant population, extremely low literacy, and subsistence-level economy.
• Minimum Support Price for MFP: The Central Government determines MSP for 87 Minor Forest Produce items, including Tendu leaves, Mahua seeds, Sal seeds, and wild honey, to prevent distress sales.
• Constitutional Funding Mechanisms: Article 275(1) provides mandatory central grants-in-aid out of the Consolidated Fund of India to promote the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and upgrade administration in Scheduled Areas.
• Sixth Schedule Governance: Administered through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative, judicial, and executive powers in four northeastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Focuses on transforming tribal-majority villages into model villages through physical infrastructure, telecom facilities, and basic health amenities.