Unstarred Question No. 1113, asked by Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal, addresses the potential establishment of an Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Ekchari PRP of Bhagalpur district, Bihar. The Minister of Tribal Affairs was asked to provide details if such a school is proposed, and if not, to explain why, as well as the impact of the decision.
In response, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey stated that EMRSs are established in blocks with over 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per Census 2011). Bhagalpur district does not meet these criteria per the Census 2011. However, the necessity of EMRS across the country is regularly reviewed. The announcement for EMRS was made in the Union Budget of 2018-19.
Key Entities Referenced
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs): Schools set up in blocks having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons as per Census 2011 to provide quality education to tribal students.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The central ministry responsible for tribal affairs, questioned about EMRS in the document.
Bhagalpur, Bihar: The location where the establishment of an Eklavya Model Residential School is being questioned.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1113
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026
EMRS IN BHAGALPUR, BIHAR
†1113. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is proposed in Ekchari PRP of Bhagalpur
district of Bihar;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reason for not establishing Eklavya Vidyalaya so far despite the fact that a large number of
tribals reside in the district;
(d) the factors responsible for this and the impact of this decision on the education and development of tribal
students in the region;
(e) whether the State Government and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs have considered any alternative tribal
education model; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (f) As per announcement made in the Union Budget of 2018-19, Eklavya Model Residential Schools
(EMRSs) are set up in blocks having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per
census 2011) to provide quality education to tribal students in their own environment. None of the blocks in
the Bhagalpur district fulfils the twin criteria as per Census 2011. However, the requirement of EMRS
across country is reviewed from time to time.
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