Major Central and State Schemes for Tribal Welfare in India

Scheduled Tribes constitute approximately 8.6% of India’s total population according to the 2011 Census. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, established in 1999 after separating from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, serves as the nodal ministry for tribal development. Government interventions focus on infrastructure, education, healthcare, legal rights, and sustainable livelihoods to bridge developmental gaps in Scheduled Areas.

Flagship Central Government Missions

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA)

• Launch and Outlay: Approved in 2024 with a total allocation of ₹79,156 crore, comprising ₹56,333 crore from the Central government and ₹22,823 crore from State governments.
• Coverage: Reaches over 63,000 tribal-majority villages across 549 districts in 30 States and Union Territories, benefiting more than 5 crore tribal people.
• Convergence Framework: Combines 25 specific interventions managed by 17 Union Ministries to close infrastructure gaps, build housing, and improve access to healthcare and education.
• Target Norms: Covers villages having a population of 500 or more with at least 50% tribal residents, alongside Aspirational District villages holding at least 50 tribal residents.

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

• Focus Area: Focuses on 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) residing across 18 States and one Union Territory in 195 districts.
• Budget Allocation: Total budget outlay of ₹24,104 crore spread across three fiscal years.
• Key Interventions: Delivers 11 essential services through 9 line ministries, including pucca housing, piped drinking water, off-grid solar power, road links, and mobile medical units.

Educational Upliftment Schemes

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

• Objective: Offers free quality secondary education to Scheduled Tribe students in remote tribal regions.
• Establishment Rules: Mandates one EMRS in every sub-district or block with over 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal residents.
• Student Strength: Each school admits up to 480 students from Classes VI to XII, reserving 50% of seats for female students.

Scholarship Framework for ST Students

• Pre-Matric Scholarship: Grants financial aid to ST students in Classes IX and X to reduce dropout rates before higher education.
• Post-Matric Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to ST students pursuing post-secondary courses from Class XI through postgraduate levels.
• National Overseas Scholarship: Provides 20 fully funded awards annually for meritorious ST students to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees abroad, with 30% reserved for female candidates.
• National Fellowship for ST Students: Supports tribal research scholars pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in recognized Indian universities.

Economic Development and Livelihood Policies

Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojana (PMVDY)

• Nodal Agency: Executed by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Operational Model: Sets up Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) consisting of 15 tribal Self-Help Groups with 300 forest gatherers per cluster.
• Value Addition Focus: Shifts tribal economies from selling raw minor forest produce to value addition, local processing, packaging, and direct market access.

Support Mechanisms by NSTFDC and TRIFED

• Concessional Financing: National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) supplies soft loans covering up to 90% of project costs for tribal entrepreneurs.
• Market Linkages: TRIFED manages TRIBES India retail outlets and organizes national Aadi Mahotsav exhibitions to display traditional handicrafts, art, and organic products.
• Minimum Support Price (MSP) for MFP: Guarantees fair baseline prices for selected Non-Timber Forest Produces to protect tribal gatherers from middleman exploitation.

Legal Frameworks and Institutional Support

Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST)

• Mandatory Earmarking: Requires 41 central ministries to dedicate specific portions of their annual scheme budgets for tribal development.
• Gap Funding: Directs funds toward primary health centers, drinking water projects, and village roads in tribal belts.

Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)

• Heritage Preservation: Grants central funds to state-level TRIs to document indigenous languages, oral traditions, customary laws, and traditional medicine.
• Policy Research: Serves as academic advisors to state administration for designing region-specific welfare policies.

Key State-Level Tribal Welfare Initiatives

Exam-Oriented Key Facts

• Scheduled Tribes represent 8.6% of India’s total population as per the 2011 Census.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was established in 1999 after splitting from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan operates with a budget of ₹79,156 crore across 63,000 villages using 17 central ministries.
• PM-JANMAN targets 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in 18 States and one UT with an outlay of ₹24,104 crore.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools are built in blocks containing over 50% ST population and a minimum of 20,000 tribal inhabitants.
• Every EMRS school accommodates 480 students across Classes VI to XII with 50% reservation for girls.
• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojana works through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras grouping 15 tribal Self-Help Groups with 300 gatherers each.
• The National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students grants 20 awards each year with 30% reservation for female applicants.
• The Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) involves 41 central ministries allocating specific funds for tribal upliftment.
• National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) offers concessional loans covering up to 90% of project costs for tribal ventures.