**Summary:**
On July 24, 2025, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bhopal to establish a Centre of Excellence on the Provisions of the Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled Areas Act, 1996 (PESA). This initiative aims to strengthen local self-governance in tribal areas through research, capacity building, participatory planning, and policy support. The partnership with IGNTU, Amarkantak, is formalized for an initial period of three years, with the expectation of continued collaboration.
A key outcome of the event was the launch of the "PESA in Action: Stories of Strength and Self-governance" compendium, which documents best practices, case studies, legal provisions, and field innovations from PESA-implementing states.
The Centre of Excellence will focus on promoting PESA awareness, facilitating participatory Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) planning, building leadership among tribal representatives, documenting customary laws, developing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, conducting research, and supporting state and district-level PESA Resource Centers. Expected outcomes include improved PESA implementation, regular training for officials and elected representatives, IEC campaigns in tribal areas, research and documentation of traditional practices, and long-term institutional support for tribal self-governance.
The Centre will also document traditional tribal customs, cultures, and medicinal practices, promoting tribal knowledge and facilitating learning for other communities, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat. Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Smt. Dipali Rastogi, Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Smt. Mukta Shekhar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Prof. Byomakesh Tripathy, ViceChancellor Ic, IGNTU; along with other senior officials attended the event.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: The Indian government ministry responsible for local governance and rural development.
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak: A central university in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, focused on tribal education and research. The Centre of Excellence on PESA will be established here.
PESA (Provisions of the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996): An Indian law ensuring self-governance for tribal communities in Scheduled Areas.
Government of Madhya Pradesh: The state government collaborating with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and IGNTU for the Centre of Excellence on PESA.
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: The capital city of Madhya Pradesh, where the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed.
Centre of Excellence on PESA: A new institution to be established at IGNTU, Amarkantak for research, capacity building, and policy support related to PESA implementation.
Shri Vivek Bharadwaj: Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Scheduled Areas: Areas in India with a significant tribal population, governed under special provisions of the Constitution, particularly concerning land rights and self-governance. Mentioned in the context of PESA implementation and engagement with tribal communities.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
IGNTU, Amarkantak Becomes Hub of Tribal
Empowerment with the Establishment of New Centre
of Excellence on PESA
“PESA in Action” Compendium Unveiled, Highlights
Best Practices in Grassroots Governance
Posted On: 24 JUL 2025 8:11PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Indira
Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak, signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) today in Bhopal, to establish a Centre of Excellence on PESA. The initiative marks a major step
towards strengthening local self-governance in tribal areas and the effective implementation of the Provisions
of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). This Centre of Excellence at
IGNTU, Amarkantak will serve as a dedicated platform for research, capacity building, participatory
planning, and policy support, aligned with the broader goals of tribal empowerment and localized
sustainable development.
The event was graced by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Smt. Dipali Rastogi,
Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Smt.
Mukta Shekhar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Prof. Byomakesh Tripathy, Vice-Chancellor
(I/c), IGNTU; along with other senior officials. A key highlight of the event was the formal launch of the
PESA Compendium titled “PESA in Action: Stories of Strength and Self-governance”, a curated
document capturing best practices, case studies, legal provisions, and field innovations from across the PESA-
implementing States.
In his address, Shri Vivek Bhardwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, emphasized that only strong
and resilient institutions endure and play a vital role in sustaining policy outreach. In this context, Indira
Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak has been identified as a strategic partner for
establishing the Centre of Excellence. The initial partnership has been formalized for a period of three years,
with a shared vision that the collaboration will extend well beyond to ensure deeper and sustained engagement
th
with tribal communities across the 5 Scheduled Areas.
A panel discussion on the theme "Strengthening PESA through Capacity Building, Research and
Institutional Support" was held as part of the event. The panel discussion emphasized that institutions like
the Centre of Excellence are vital for advancing the spirit of the PESA Act by helping communities realize
their rights and governance powers.
Objective of the MoU:
The objective of this MoU is to address persistent challenges in effective PESA implementation by
strengthening institutional mechanisms and community capacities in Scheduled Areas. The Centre of
Excellence at IGNTU will serve as a hub for innovation, training, research, and advocacy, aligned with the
broader goals of Localised Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and tribal empowerment.
Key Functions:
Promote awareness and understanding of PESA
(cid:108)
Facilitate participatory GPDP planning
(cid:108)Build leadership among tribal representatives
(cid:108)
Document customary laws and preserve cultural heritage
(cid:108)
Develop Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and conduct research
(cid:108)
Support State/ District-level PESA Resource Centres
(cid:108)
Expected Outcomes:
Improved PESA implementation
(cid:108)
Regular training of officials and elected representatives
(cid:108)
IEC campaigns in tribal areas
(cid:108)
Research and documentation of traditional practices
(cid:108)
Long-term institutional support for tribal self-governance
(cid:108)
This Centre of Excellence will play a key role in documenting traditional tribal customs, cultures, and
their medicinal practices. It was noted that IGNTU, through the Centre of Excellence, will promote tribal
knowledge and facilitate learning for other communities, aligning with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of
Viksit Bharat. The establishment of the Centre of Excellence is a significant step towards translating the spirit
of PESA into action and reinforcing the Government’s commitment to inclusive, participatory, and culturally
th
responsive governance in the 5 Scheduled Areas.***
Aditi Agrawal
(Release ID: 2148015)