**Policy Summary: Equitable Access to Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)**
**Overview**
The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, presented a statement to the Rajya Sabha detailing the expansion of the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme. Originally announced in the Union Budget 2018–19, the initiative aims to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from Classes VI to XII within their own socio-cultural environments.
**Establishment Criteria**
The government utilizes "twin criteria" based on the Census 2011 to identify eligible blocks for the establishment of an EMRS. A block must have:
* A Scheduled Tribe population exceeding 50 per cent.
* At least 20,000 tribal residents.
**Current Implementation Metrics (as of April 1, 2026)**
The expansion efforts focus on remote and underserved areas to strengthen educational infrastructure:
* **Total Approved Schools:** 728 (this includes 288 pre-existing schools).
* **Total Sanctioned Schools:** 723.
* **Functional Schools:** 499.
* **CBSE Affiliation:** 458 schools are currently affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education.
**Operational Highlights**
The Ministry has sanctioned multiple schools in various tribal-dominated districts that meet the twin criteria. The adequacy and distribution of these schools are periodically reviewed by the Government to ensure they meet prescribed norms and the evolving educational needs of ST students.
**Document Reference**
* **Source:** Press Information Bureau (PIB), Delhi; Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
* **Release ID:** 2247592.
* **Date:** April 1, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Scheme: An initiative focused on providing quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from classes VI to XII within their socio-cultural environment.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The primary government ministry responsible for sanctioning and overseeing the establishment of EMRSs in tribal-dominated blocks.
Union Budget 2018–19: The policy document that announced a significant expansion of the EMRS scheme based on specific demographic twin criteria.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): The national educational board with which the functional Eklavya Model Residential Schools are affiliated.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO EMRS IN TRIBAL-
DOMINATED AREAS
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 1:24PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri. Jual Oram today laid a statement on the Table of Rajya Sabha
that in the Union Budget 2018–19, the Government announced a significant expansion of the Eklavya
Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Scheme with the objective of providing quality education to
Scheduled Tribe (ST) children from classes VI to XII in their own socio-cultural environment.
Accordingly, it was envisaged to establish an EMRS in each block having more than 50 per cent ST
population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (twin criteria) as per the Census 2011.
Pursuant to this announcement, the Government has approved the establishment of 728 EMRSs (including
288 old EMRSs) across the country to enhance access to quality education for ST students, particularly in
remote and underserved areas.
As on date, a total of 723 EMRSs have been sanctioned, out of which 499 schools are functional and 458
EMRSs are affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
The establishment of EMRSs is guided by block-level twin criteria. Ministry has already sanctioned more
than one EMRS in various tribal-dominated districts as per the said criteria. The adequacy of the number
of EMRSs is reviewed by the Government from time to time based on prescribed norms.
The expansion of EMRSs to 728 identified blocks reflects the substantial effort made by the Government
to meet educational needs of ST students in underserved areas. The Government remains committed to
strengthening educational infrastructure for ST students through targeted interventions including the
EMRS scheme.
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