**Executive Summary**
On May 5, 2026, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram chaired a high-level meeting to review the physical and financial progress of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) construction nationwide. The meeting focused on resolving project bottlenecks, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and expediting timelines to meet the goal of providing quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. Key action items include the mandatory submission of monthly progress reports and the priority resolution of land and forest clearances.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Status and Overview**
* The Ministry has approved a total of 728 EMRSs to provide residential education (Class VI to XII) for tribal students in remote areas.
* Current construction status: 428 buildings completed, 249 under construction, and 46 at the pre-construction stage.
* The scheme aims to bridge educational gaps through a focus on academics, sports, and skill development, aligned with the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision.
**Operational Directives**
* Executing agencies must expedite construction by optimizing the deployment of manpower and resources at project sites.
* Senior officials are instructed to undertake frequent field visits for close monitoring of site progress.
* Agencies are required to use the PM Gati Shakti portal for EMRS project management.
* Construction agencies will be held strictly accountable for any project delays.
**Administrative and Infrastructure Bottlenecks**
* State officials must prioritize the resolution of pending issues related to land acquisition and forest clearances.
* Immediate action is required to resolve infrastructure hurdles, including approach roads, water scarcity, and the shifting of HT/LT power lines.
* Close coordination is mandated between executing agencies, State Governments, and district authorities.
**Reporting Requirements**
* Executing agencies must submit updated monthly progress reports for all ongoing projects to the Ministry/NESTS.
* Reports must include school-wise issues and specific action plans for timely completion.
**Impact Analysis**
**Executing Agencies (CPWD, PSUs, and State Government Agencies)**
**Impact**
These agencies face increased accountability, stricter monitoring, and more rigorous reporting schedules.
**Action Required**
Optimize site resources, conduct frequent field inspections, and submit detailed monthly progress reports and action plans to the Ministry.
**State Governments (Assam, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tripura, and West Bengal)**
**Impact**
State authorities are pressured to fast-track administrative approvals and provide necessary infrastructure support.
**Action Required**
Resolve pending land and forest clearances on priority and coordinate with district authorities to provide road, water, and power connectivity.
**National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS)**
**Impact**
NESTS is tasked with the oversight of the overall construction status and the implementation of faster execution steps.
**Action Required**
Monitor project timelines through the PM Gati Shakti portal and review monthly reports to ensure quality and adherence to schedules.
**Scheduled Tribe (ST) Students**
**Impact**
Beneficiaries will gain access to improved educational infrastructure and holistic development opportunities in remote areas.
**Action Required**
No direct action required; students are the primary beneficiaries of the expedited school completions.
Key Entities Referenced
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): A flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs providing quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The primary governing body responsible for overseeing tribal welfare and the nationwide construction progress of EMRS infrastructure.
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS): The autonomous body under the Ministry that monitors the implementation, construction status, and quality standards of EMRS projects.
Viksit Bharat 2047: A national strategic vision for a developed India, with which the expansion of tribal educational infrastructure is aligned.
PM Gati Shakti: A national portal and initiative utilized to resolve infrastructure bottlenecks and coordinate EMRS project development.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual
Oram Reviews Progress of EMRS Construction
Across the Country
Posted On: 05 MAY 2026 9:04PM by PIB Delhi
Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, chaired a high-level meeting to review the
progress of construction of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) across the country.
The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and attended by CMDs/MDs and senior
officials of Central and State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Central Public Works Department
(CPWD), and representatives from the States of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha,
Rajasthan, Tripura, and West Bengal through virtual mode.
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to
provide quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas from Class VI to
XII. The scheme aims to bridge educational gaps and promote holistic development, including academics,
sports, and skills of tribal children.The Hon’ble Union Minister comprehensively reviewed the physical and financial progress of ongoing
EMRS construction works. During the meeting, major executing agencies such as CPWD, HSCL, TCIL,
WAPCOS, B&R, EPIL, MANIDCO, MTDC, NPCC, and State Government agencies presented their
progress and scheduled timelines for completion.
Agency-wise and State-wise performance was reviewed, with a focus on adherence to timelines, quality
standards and resolution of bottlenecks.
Hon’ble Union Minister emphasized on the importance of timely completion of EMRS projects as it play
a crucial role in providing quality education to tribal students in remote and underserved areas. He
directed all executing agencies, including PSUs, CPWD, and State Government departments, to expedite
construction activities by optimizing the deployment of manpower and resources at project sites. He also
instructed senior officials to undertake frequent field visits for close monitoring.
The Hon’ble Union Minister further directed State officials to resolve all pending issues at the State level
on priority, including matters related to land and forest clearances.
Construction agencies were instructed to submit updated monthly progress reports of all ongoing projects,
along with EMRS-wise issues and action plans for timely completion, to the Ministry/NESTS.
Concerened construction agency will be held accountable for delays in the projects.
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to tribal welfare, the Hon’ble Union Minister stated that
EMRSs are a transformative initiative aimed at empowering tribal children through access to high-quality
residential education.
The Hon’ble Union Minister noted that the expansion of EMRSs is aligned with the vision of Hon’ble
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for Viksit Bharat 2047, which places strong emphasis on inclusive and
equitable development. He highlighted that strengthening educational infrastructure in tribal areas is
critical to ensuring that tribal youth become active participants in nation-building, thereby contributing to
a developed, self-reliant, and empowered India.Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, highlighted that the EMRS scheme is a
flagship initiative of the Ministry. She emphasized on resolving bottlenecks affecting project progress i.e
approach roads, water scarcity, and shifting of HT/LT power lines needs to be resolved at earliest. She
urged executing agencies to coordinate closely with State Governments and district authorities to resolve
these issues in a time-bound manner. She also emphasized the use of the PM Gati Shakti portal for EMRS
projects.
Dr Pratima Verma, Commissioner, National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), presented the
overall status of construction and the scheduled plan of action for completion. It was informed that the
Ministry has approved 728 EMRSs, out of which construction of 428 school buildings has been
completed, 249 are under construction, and 46 are at the pre-construction stage. She also highlighted steps
taken by NESTS to ensure faster execution and quality construction.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair by Shri B. N. Prasad, Joint Secretary (EMRS),
Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
****
RN/
(Release ID: 2258203) Visitor Counter : 152