Parliament Question: CSR Initiatives

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 626 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026 “CSR INITIATIVES” 626. Dr. Sikander Kumar: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) with the recent ONGC MoU covering 144 schools in 11 States, what is the roadmap for integrating the remaining 499 functional EMRS into similar CSR-funded infrastructure models by the end of 2026; (b) the manner in which Ministry ensure these CSR initiatives result in higher placement rates for tribal students in premier higher education institutes or professional sectors; and (c) whether the Ministry is planning to establish a permanent 'CSR-EMRS Cell' to streamline future corporate investments and ensure uniform standards across all tribal schools, if so, details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (TRIBAL AFFAIRS) (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY) (a ) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), is actively expanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships for the overall welfare and development of tribal people and areas. NSTFDC had already signed multiple MoUs with companies including Coal India Ltd, Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) etc, to extend support to EMRS across the country, with numerous initiatives such as establishing space labs, digital education, building the capacity of both students & teachers etc. (b) The CSR-supported interventions implemented through the Ministry’s Implementing agency- NSTFDC and NESTS are outcome-oriented and aligned with higher education and employment objectives. These CSR interventions are being implemented in EMRSs to strengthen academic foundations, digital competencies, and career preparedness to facilitate students’ progression to premier higher education institutions and professional sectors. NESTS is monitoring these interventions closely to ensure that these are effectively translated into higher placement rates and sustained professional outcomes for tribal students in higher education institutions and professional sectors. (c) At present, there is no proposal under consideration in the Ministry for setting up a separate ‘CSR–EMRS Cell’, as NSTFDC is functioning as the implementing agency for the Ministry’s CSR-funded projects. .****