**Executive Summary**
This report details the convergence of Central tribal welfare schemes with state-level initiatives, as presented to the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2026. It highlights the implementation of the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) and key missions like PM JANMAN and DAJGUA to bridge developmental gaps. The document provides specific updates on funding, housing, and skill development progress in Tamil Nadu and outlines national scholarship and infrastructure targets for Scheduled Tribes (STs).
**Key Points / Main Content**
**National Development Frameworks**
* **DAPST Strategy:** 41 Ministries/Departments allocate a percentage of their budgets to bridge gaps between ST and non-ST populations in sectors like health, education, and infrastructure.
* **PM JANMAN:** A mission targeting 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 states/1 UT with a budget of ₹24,104 crore to provide basic facilities like housing, clean water, and connectivity within three years.
* **Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA):** Launched in October 2024 with an outlay of ₹79,156 crore, aiming to saturate infrastructure gaps in 63,843 villages across 30 States/UTs over five years.
**Tamil Nadu State Initiatives**
* **Tholkudi Aithinai Program:** A 100% state-funded scheme focused on agricultural livelihoods (e.g., honey bee farming, mushroom cultivation) and off-farm enterprises.
* **Infrastructure and Housing:** Under the Tholkudi Umbrella Scheme, the state has planned 1,200 houses for 2025-26, following 1,500 in 2023-24 and 750 in 2024-25.
* **Skill Development:** Training programs for 1,000 tribal youth are underway for roles such as two-wheeler technicians and beauticians; 797 individuals have already been trained in Western Districts.
* **Institutional Collaboration:** The state has entered into MoUs with various institutes (e.g., IIMR, TANUVAS, Annamalai University) to implement livelihood schemes.
**Educational and Livelihood Support**
* **Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS):** A target is set to establish 728 schools to benefit 3.5 lakh ST students, with the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) as the implementing body.
* **Scholarship Schemes:** Includes Pre-Matric (Classes IX-X), Post-Matric, and National Overseas Scholarships for meritorious students pursuing higher education abroad.
* **PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM):** Focuses on the promotion of tribal livelihoods by fixing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and developing value chains.
**Institutional and Financial Oversight**
* **Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs):** 100% grant-in-aid is provided for research, documentation, and the preservation of tribal art and culture.
* **Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs):** The Ministry has sanctioned 45 VDVKs in Tamil Nadu with a 50% state share to support tribal marketing and livelihoods.
* **Monitoring:** Periodic review meetings under the DAPST framework and committees at the State, District, and Block levels (under DAJGUA) ensure effective implementation and fund utilization.
**Impact Analysis**
**Scheduled Tribes (STs) and PVTGs**
**Impact**
They receive improved access to safe housing, clean drinking water, electricity, and quality education through EMRS and scholarships. Enhanced livelihood opportunities are provided through skill training and agricultural support.
**Action Required**
Eligible individuals must enroll in skill development programs, apply for relevant scholarships based on income criteria, and participate in VDVK-led marketing initiatives.
**State Governments (e.g., Tamil Nadu)**
**Impact**
Responsible for earmarking Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) funds in proportion to the ST population and implementing Central schemes through State Implementing Agencies (SIAs).
**Action Required**
Must constitute committees for DAJGUA, ensure the timely submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs), and coordinate with the Ministry for the establishment and management of EMRSs.
**Obligated Central Ministries/Departments**
**Impact**
41 departments are required to divert a portion of their scheme budgets toward tribal development projects.
**Action Required**
Participate in periodic review meetings to monitor fund allocation and expenditure under the DAPST framework.
**Voluntary Organizations and Research Institutes**
**Impact**
Receive grants-in-aid to run projects in health, education, and research to document and preserve tribal heritage.
**Action Required**
Maintain residential schools, hostels, and mobile medical units as per Ministry guidelines and obtain Apex Committee approval for research projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA): A major national mission launched in 2024 to saturate infrastructural gaps in over 63,000 tribal villages with a total outlay of ₹79,156 crore.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): A mission aimed at the socio-economic development of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) through 11 targeted interventions including housing and connectivity.
Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): The overarching strategy and funding framework involving 41 Ministries/Departments to bridge the developmental gap between Scheduled Tribes and non-ST populations.
Tholkudi Aithinai Program: A 100% state-funded umbrella scheme by the Government of Tamil Nadu focused on improving livelihoods, housing, and skill development in tribal areas.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The primary Union Ministry responsible for implementing, coordinating, and funding various welfare and development schemes for Scheduled Tribes in India.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
CONVERGENCE OF TRIBAL WELFARE
SCHEMES WITH STATE INITIATIVES
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 4:07PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey today informed in Lok Sabha that The
Government is implementing Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) as a strategy for
the development of Scheduled Tribes and areas having tribal concentration in the country including the
State of Tamil Nadu. Besides Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 41 Ministries/Departments are allocating certain
percentage of their total scheme budget every year for tribal development under DAPST to bridge the
developmental gap between Scheduled Tribes (STs) and non-ST populations and for various tribal
development projects relating to education, health, agriculture, irrigation, roads, housing, electrification,
employment generation, skill development, etc. Schemes along-with funds allocated by the obligated
Ministries/Departments for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes are given at Statement 10B of Expenditure
Profile of Union Budget document in the link:
https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/stat10b.pdf.
The State Governments are also supposed to earmark TSP funds with respect to the total Scheme
allocation, in proportion to ST population (Census 2011) in the State. The details of allocation and
expenditure for TSP by States/UTs out of their own funds are available at https://statetsp.tribal.gov.in.
As informed by the State Government of Tamil Nadu, TholkudiAithinai Program is a 100% State funded
Scheme. The Scheme specifically aims at improving the livelihoods in Tribal areas. The State funds are
allocated for Agri and Allied livelihoods viz., On farm activities for promoting sustainable agriculture
development and agricultural livelihoods such as horticultural production, multi crop production, honey
bee farming, mushroom cultivation, cash crop production, casava production, Off Farm activities for
strengthening forest, livestock based enterprises, fishing etc and Non-farm activities as skill development
training for Tribal youth, building self-sufficient societies, procurement of agri machinery, construction of
agri machinery sheds etc. The State has entered into MoU with various Institutes such as IIMR, IIHR,
TANUVAS, Annamalai University, NBFGR, CIAE, NRCB and CTCRI and the State allocates funds to
these Institutes for implementing livelihood schemes under Tribal Sub Plan of these Institutes.
Further, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has allocated funds for Tribal Multi-Purpose Marketing towards
implementing livelihood activities. The Ministry has also sanctioned funds for 45 Van Dhan Vikas Kendra
with 50% of State Share.
Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing various schemes/programmes for the welfare and
development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country. The details of the schemes/programmes is
given at Annexure I.
The details of fund allocations made during recent financial years by the Ministry under these
schemes/programmes is given at Annexure II.The Ministry has undertaken two missions for development of STs through convergence of funds available
with different Ministries/Departments under DAPST namely - Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi NyayMaha
Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) and DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan (DAJGUA).
PM JANMAN: Government launched Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM
JANMAN) for socio-economic development of 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 states and one UT.
The mission aims to provide basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and improved
access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of unelectrified
households and sustainable livelihood opportunities in 3 years. These objectives are planned to be met
through 11 interventions including Hostels and Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) implemented by 9-line
Ministries. PM JANMAN has total budgetary outlay of Rs.24,104 Cr (Central share: ₹15336 Cr and State
share: ₹8768 Cr).
DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) :The Hon'ble PM launched
DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) on 2nd October, 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of
25 interventions implemented by 17-line Ministries and aims to saturate infrastructural gaps in 63,843
villages, improve access to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and providing livelihood opportunities
etc benefiting more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs in 5 years. The
Abhiyan has total budgetary outlay of Rs.79,156 Cr (Central share: ₹56,333 Cr and State share: ₹22,823
Cr).
As informed by the State Government of Tamil Nadu, under Tholkudi Umbrella Scheme has allocated and
spent funds for Housing for Tribals for the past three years as follows:
2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
No. of Amount (in No. of Amount (in No. of Amount
Houses crores) Houses crores) Houses
(in
crores)
1500 79.28 750 40.33 1200 52.68
Under Tholkudi umbrella Scheme, Skill Development Training such as Two Wheeler Technician, General
Duty Assistant, Beautician courses, CNC Training, Welding, etc. for 1000 Tribal youth are being
conducted through empanelled training partners of Tamil Nadu Skill Development Training Centre. State
of Tamil Nadu has so far conducted Skill Developoment Training for around 797 Tribal youth in the
Western Districts.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs coordinates with State Governments, including the Government of Tamil
Nadu, through multiple mechanisms to promote inclusive growth in education, skill development and
livelihood opportunities for Scheduled Tribes. The Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme is
implemented through the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under the Ministry,
which works in coordination with State Governments through designated State implementing agencies for
establishment and management of EMRSs.
TRIFED is the nodal agency for implementation of the scheme PMJVM scheme and TRIFED implements
the scheme either directly or indirectly through the State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) as per scheme
guidelines.Under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST), various Ministries/Departments of
the Government of India implement their respective schemes through the corresponding State
implementing agencies.
Under DAJGUA, committees have been constituted at the State, District and Block levels for effective
implementation, coordination and monitoring of the DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. These
include a State-Level Apex Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, District-Level Committees chaired
by District Collectors and Block-Level Implementation Teams to facilitate implementation at the
grassroots level.
Periodic review meetings are conducted under the framework of DAPST to review the allocation and
expenditure under various schemes by the obligated Ministries/Departments.
Annexure I
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to part (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 6308
for 02.04.2026 by Dr. T Sumathy alias ThamizhachiThangapandian regarding “Convergence of
Tribal Welfare Schemes with State Initiatives”
Brief details of major schemes/programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in
the country:
(i) DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA): The Hon'ble PM launched
DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan on 2nd October, 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of 25
interventions implemented by 17-line Ministries and aims to saturate infrastructural gaps in 63,843
villages, improve access to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and providing livelihood opportunities
benefiting more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs in 5 years. The
Abhiyan has total budgetary outlay of Rs.79,156 Cr (Central share: ₹56,333 Cr and State share: ₹22,823
Cr).
(ii) Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): Government has
launched Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) on 15th November 2023,
which is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. The mission with financial outlay of around Rs.24,000
Crore aims to saturate PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean
drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom
connectivity, electrification of un-electrified households and sustainable livelihood opportunities in time
bound manner in 3 years.
(iii) Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is
implementing the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), which has been designed through
the merger of two existing schemes for the promotion of tribal livelihood, i.e., “Mechanism for Marketing
of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain
for MFP” and “Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce”.
The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price for the selected MFP.
Procurement and Marketing operation at pre-fixed MSP will be undertaken by the designated State
Agencies in the event of the prevailing market price of the particular MFP item falling below the
stipulated MSP. Simultaneously other medium and long-term issues like sustainable collection, value
addition, infrastructure development, knowledge base expansion of MFP and market intelligence
development will also be addressed.
(iv) Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was
started in the year 2018-19 to provide quality education at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya to the tribal
children in their own environment. Under the new scheme, Government decided to establish 440 EMRSs,one EMRS in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per
census 2011). 288 EMRS schools were initially funded under Grants under Article 275(1) of the
Constitution, which are being upgraded as per the new model. Accordingly, Ministry has set the target to
set up total of 728 EMRSs benefiting around 3.5 lakh ST students across the country.
(v) Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution: Under the Proviso to Article 275(1) of
Constitution, Grants are released to States, having ST population for raising the level of administration in
Scheduled Areas and for the welfare of tribal people. This is a Special Area Programme and 100% grants
are provided to States. Funds are released to the State Governments depending on the felt needs of ST
population to bridge the gap in infrastructure activities in the fields of education, health, skill
development, livelihood, drinking water, sanitation, etc.
(vi) Grant-in Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes: Under the
scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, the
Ministry funds projects in the fields of education and health, covering residential schools, non-residential
schools, hostels, mobile dispensaries, ten or more bedded hospitals, livelihood, etc.
(vii) Pre-Matric Scholarships to ST students: The scheme is applicable to students who are studying in
Classes IX –X. Parental income from all sources should not be more than Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum.
Scholarship of Rs.225/-per month for day scholars and Rs.525/-per month for hostellers is given for a
period of 10 months in a year. Scholarship is disbursed through the State Government/UT Administration.
Funding ratio is 75:25 between Centre and States for all States except North East and Hills States/UT like
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UTs without legislature
sharing pattern is 100% Central share.
(viii) Post Matric Scholarship to ST students: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial
assistance to the Scheduled Tribe students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary levels to
enable them to complete their education. Parental income from all sources should not be more than
Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum. Compulsory fees charged by educational institutions are reimbursed subject to
the limit fixed by the concerned State Fee fixation committee and scholarship amount of Rs.230 to
Rs.1200 per month, depending upon the course of study is paid. The Scheme is implemented by the State
Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Funding ratio is 75:25 between Centre and States for
all States except NE and Hilly States/UT of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir
where it is 90:10. For UTs without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central share.
(ix) National Overseas Scholarship for ST students: It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Tribal
Affairs under which scholarships are given to the meritorious Schedule Tribe (ST) students for pursuing
higher education in top 1000 ranked (as per latest QS world ranking) Institutes/Universities abroad. This
scheme is started from year 1954-55. The Scheme is implemented through the Indian Embassies/Missions
abroad, Ministry of External Affairs. Twenty awards are given every year. ST students with annual family
income not exceeding Rs.6.0 lakhs are eligible to apply for the Scholarship under the Scheme.
(x) National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students:
(a) National Scholarship– (Top class) Scheme [Graduate level]: The objective of the scheme is to
encourage meritorious ST students for pursuing studies in prescribed courses in any of the 265 institutions
of excellence across the country like IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, NIITs, etc. identified by the Ministry. Family
income from all sources should not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum. Scholarship amount includes tuition
fees, living expenses and allowances for books and computer.
(b) National Fellowship for ST students: 750 fellowships are provided to ST students each year for
pursing higher studies in India for MPhil and PhD. Fellowship is granted as per UGC norms.(xi) Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs): Ministry extends support to the State Governments
through the Scheme to set up new TRIs where it didn’t exist and to strengthen functioning of existing
TRIs to carry out its core responsibility towards Research & Documentations, Training and capacity
building, promotion of rich tribal heritage etc. To preserve tribal art and culture, financial assistance is
provided to TRI’s to carry out various activities to preserve and promote tribal culture and heritage across
the country through research and documentation, maintenance and preservation of art & artefacts, setting
up of tribal museum, exchange visits for the tribals to other parts of the State, organizing tribal festivals
etc. Funding under this Scheme is 100% grant-in-aid by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the TRIs on need
basis with the approval of Apex Committee.
Annexure II
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to part (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 6308
for 02.04.2026 by Dr. T Sumathy alias ThamizhachiThangapandian regarding “Convergence of
Tribal Welfare Schemes with State Initiatives”
State-wise funds allocations made in the State of Tamil Nadu during recent financial years by the
Ministry under these schemes/programmes is as follows:
Details of Fund Released and Utilized to under the Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST s
(₹ in crore)
Sl. Name of F.Y. 2021-22 F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24 F.Y. 2024-25
No. the
State/UT
Fund Utilized Fund Utilized Fund Utilized Fund Utiliz
Released Released Released Released
1 Tamil 5.47 5.47 4.04 4.04 3.62 3.62 0.60 0.60
Nadu
Details of Fund Released and Utilized under the Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for ST st
(₹ in Crore)Sl. Name of F.Y. 2021-22 F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24 F.Y. 2024-25
No. the
State/UT
Fund Utilized Fund Utilized Fund Utilized Fund Utiliz
Released Released Released Released
1 Tamil 48.49 48.49 28.54 28.54 20.00 20.00 25.00 25.0
Nadu
YEAR WISE FUNDS RELEASED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF EMRS TILL
28.02.2026
Rs. In lakhs
S.No Name of the State/UT 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
(Till 28.02.2026)
1 Tamil Nadu 1,098.78 1,099.80 1,738.95 2,797.39
Details of funds released, year-wise and State-wise, for MPCs (in Rs. Cr)
State Funds released Funds released Funds released Bills closed on SNA
during 2023-24 during 2024-25 during 2025-26 SPARSH during 2025-
26
TAMIL 5.2 20.67 - 5.07
NADU
Details of funds released, year-wise and State-wise, under Development of PVTGs (Rs. in lakh)
S. No. Name of State 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25*
1 Tamil Nadu 1967.81 907.70 0.00 2723.11
*Provisional
State-wise fund released under SCA to TSS/PMAAGY during last 5 years
(Rs. in lakh)S. No. States PMAAGY
2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25*
Fund Release Fund Release Fund Release Fund Release
1 Tamil Nadu 285.32 285.62 855.805 461.37
*Provisional
Status of Funds released under Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana
(Rs. In Lakh)
S.No. States Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana
2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25*
Total UC Total UC Total UC Total UC
Release Received Release Received Release Received Release Received
1 Tamil 285.32 251.95 285.62 211.39 855.805 854.27 461.37 0
Nadu
*Provisional
DETAILS OF FUND RELEASED FUNDED DURING THE YEAR 2013-14 TO 2025-26 UNDER
THE SCHEME OF GRANT IN AID TO VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING FOR
THE WELFARE OF SCHEDULED TRIBES' (Rs. in lakh)
State 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25* 2025-26 (as on 12.02.2026*
TAMILNADU 250.31 377.29 189.10 321.25
Details of funds released under the Scheme of ‘Support to Tribal Research Institutes’ during 2020-
21 to 2024-25
(Rs. in lakh)
Sl. No State Fund Released
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25*1 Tamil Nadu 0.00 135.09 0.00 25.00 300.00
*Provisional
Funds released and Utilization reported during under Proviso to Article 275(1) of the Constitution is
as under (Rs in lakh):
(Rs. in lakh)
S. State 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 20
No.
Funds Utilization Funds Utilization Funds Utilization Funds
Released reported by Released reported by Released reported by Released
State State State
Government Government Government
1 Tamil 0.00 0.00 0.00 1146.26 650.49 0.00 2019.665
Nadu
*Provisional
DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan Details of funds released during 2025-26 (Rs. in Cr)
as on 21.01.2026
Sl. No State Released
A B F
1 Tamil Nadu 2.31
Funds sanctioned for establishment of VDVKs
Sl. State/UT Total Number of VDVKs Funds Sanctioned (In Lakhs)
No. Sanctioned
1 Tamil Nadu 8 120.00
Funds sanctioned for establishment of PM-JANMAN VDVKsSl. State/UT VDVK Funds
No. Sanctioned Sanctioned
(In Lakhs)
1 Tamil Nadu 37 120.15
*****
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