**Executive Summary**
On May 27, 2026, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) held a review meeting with the Government of West Bengal to accelerate the implementation of flagship tribal welfare schemes, including PM JANMAN and DA-JGUA. Key outcomes included the signing of an MoU to strengthen the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and the launch of a state-wide PVTG household survey. Immediate priorities involve the notification of Adi Sewa Kendras (ASKs) and improving fund utilization to ensure the timely delivery of tribal benefits.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Flagship Initiatives and Implementation**
* **Onboarding and Convergence:** West Bengal is being onboarded under PM JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) to ensure benefits reach tribal communities and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
* **Household Survey:** A PVTG household survey commenced on May 27, 2026, to facilitate the timely delivery of welfare benefits.
* **Adi Sewa Kendras (ASKs):** The State was advised to expedite the notification of ASKs in villages, deploying teams of 5–7 volunteers per center through community participation.
* **Capacity Building:** The Ministry will soon organize a handholding session for State officials regarding the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan (AKA).
**Education and EMRS Strengthening**
* **NESTS-State MoU:** An MoU was signed between the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) and the West Bengal government for better monitoring and implementation of the EMRS scheme.
* **Funding Increase:** Per-student funding for EMRS will increase significantly from ₹61,500 to ₹1.47 lakh.
* **Curriculum and Standards:** EMRSs will adopt a common core curriculum based on NCERT guidelines and aligned with CBSE standards.
* **Staffing and Infrastructure:** Faculty recruitment will move to a centralized process, and the State will prioritize completing pending school infrastructure and operationalizing sanctioned schools.
**Administrative and Resource Management**
* **Fund Utilization:** Discussions emphasized the need for timely submission of proposals and utilization certificates to improve financial efficiency.
* **Livelihood and Rights:** Key focus areas include the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), operationalization of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), and tribal skilling projects.
* **Coordination:** Emphasis was placed on strengthening inter-departmental coordination to expedite pending interventions in tribal areas.
**Impact Analysis**
**West Bengal State Government (Line Departments)**
**Impact**
The State government receives increased financial resources for education and technical support for flagship tribal schemes, requiring tighter convergence with Central Ministries.
**Action Required**
Formulate and submit proposals under PM JANMAN and DA-JGUA; complete the PVTG household survey; and expedite the notification of Adi Sewa Kendras.
**Tribal Students and Youth**
**Impact**
Students gain access to better-funded education through EMRSs with modern infrastructure and a standardized national curriculum. Youth will benefit from enhanced skilling and livelihood generation projects.
**Action Required**
Engage with newly established Adi Sewa Kendras and participate in upcoming skilling and livelihood initiatives.
**National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS)**
**Impact**
NESTS gains a structured framework for institutional coordination regarding the planning, construction, and administration of schools in West Bengal.
**Action Required**
Oversee the centralized faculty recruitment process and monitor the implementation of the newly signed MoU.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): A flagship initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs focused on providing essential services and justice to tribal communities and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA): A primary tribal development scheme aimed at improving infrastructure and welfare in tribal villages through inter-departmental convergence.
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): A scheme providing quality education to tribal students, which recently saw a funding increase to ₹1.47 lakh per student and infrastructure expansion in West Bengal.
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS): An autonomous body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the EMRS network.
West Bengal: The primary state of applicability where the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is reviewing flagship schemes, launching PVTG surveys, and expanding tribal education infrastructure.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Ministry of Tribal Affairs Reviews PM JANMAN &
DA-JGUA Implementation in West Bengal
NESTS Signs MoU to Strengthen EMRS Network; Funding
Raised to ₹1.47 Lakh per Student
PVTG Household Survey Launched in West Bengal to Ensure
Timely Delivery of Tribal Welfare Benefits
Aligned with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Vision of Viksit Bharat,
MoTA and West Bengal Accelerate Tribal Welfare Initiatives
and EMRS Expansion
Posted On: 27 MAY 2026 6:54PM by PIB Delhi
A review meeting was held under the chairpersonship of Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of
Tribal Affairs, on May 27, 2026, with the participation of Smt. Choten Dhendup Lama, Principal
Secretary, Tribal Development Department (TDD), Government of West Bengal, along with senior
officials from the Ministry and affiliated organisations. The meeting was attended by Sh. Manish Thakur,
Additional Secretary; Sh. Brij Nandan Prasad, Joint Secretary; Sh. T. Roumuan Paite, CMD, NSTFDC;
Sh. Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary; Dr. Pratima, Commissioner, NESTS and other senior officials
of the Ministry.
The meeting reviewed the implementation status of various schemes and programmes of the Ministry of
Tribal Affairs in the State of West Bengal and deliberated on the future course of action. Discussions
focused on strengthening inter-departmental coordination, improving fund utilisation, and expediting the
coverage of pending interventions in tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) areas.A major focus of the meeting was the onboarding of the State Government under the two flagship
initiatives of the Ministry — Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) and
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA). Secretary, Tribal Affairs emphasised that this
is an opportune moment for the Ministry and the State Government to work in convergence mode to
ensure that the benefits of these abhiyans effectively reach tribal communities and PVTGs.
Smt. Choten Dhendup Lama informed that various line departments of the State Government are in the
process of formulating and submitting suitable proposals to the respective Central Ministries under the
abhiyans. It was also apprised during the meeting that the PVTG household survey in the State
commenced on May 27, 2026, and the State Government assured timely completion of the exercise.
The Secretary, Tribal Affairs also underlined the importance of integrating the State Government with the
Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan (AKA). The Ministry informed that a handholding session on AKA would soon
be organised for State Government officials. The State was further advised to expedite the notification of
Adi Sewa Kendras (ASKs) in villages covered under DA-JGUA and PM JANMAN, with efforts to deploy
teams of 5–7 volunteers in each ASK through strong community participation mechanisms.
In a significant development towards strengthening tribal education, the National Education Society for
Tribal Students (NESTS), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, also signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Government of West Bengal for effective implementation and monitoring
of the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Scheme in the State.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Smt.
Choten Dhendup Lama, Principal Secretary, Tribal Development Department, Government of West
Bengal; and Dr. Pratima, Commissioner, NESTS.
Under the agreement, the per-student funding under the EMRS scheme will increase substantially from
₹61,500 to ₹1.47 lakh per student. The State Government will also undertake measures for the speedy
operationalisation of sanctioned EMRSs and completion of pending school infrastructure. Faculty
recruitment will be conducted through a centralised process.
The MoU aims to strengthen institutional coordination for planning, construction, establishment, and
administration of EMRSs in West Bengal. It also seeks to ensure quality modern education for holistic
development of tribal students through adoption of a common core curriculum based on NCERT
guidelines and aligned with CBSE norms and standards.
Other key issues discussed during the meeting included submission of proposals and utilisation
certificates, progress of sanctioned projects under various schemes, implementation of the Forest Rights
Act (FRA), operationalisation of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), strengthening of Tribal ResearchInstitute (TRI), and participation in innovative projects focusing on skilling and livelihood generation for
tribal communities.
The initiatives discussed and agreed upon during the meeting reaffirm the commitment of the Ministry of
Tribal Affairs and the Government of West Bengal towards Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of inclusive
growth, tribal empowerment, and creation of sustainable opportunities for tribal youth and communities,
contributing meaningfully to the vision of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.
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