In response to Unstarred Question No. 3165 regarding Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Kandhamal District of Odisha, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, stated that in the Union Budget 2018–19, the Government of India announced EMRS to provide quality education to tribal children in blocks with over 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (2011 Census). 111 EMRSs have been approved in Odisha, including 27 under Article 275(1). Kandhamal district has ten approved EMRS, with two functional and the rest in various stages of construction. The necessity for EMRS is periodically reviewed.
Key Entities Referenced
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): A scheme to provide quality education to tribal children.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The central ministry responsible for matters related to tribal affairs, including EMRS.
Kandhamal district of Odisha: The specific geographic location to which the question and answer regarding EMRS pertains.
Article 275(1): Constitutional provision related to grants for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3165
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025
EMRS IN KANDHAMAL DISTRICT OF ODISHA
3165. SHRI ANANTA NAYAK:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken significant steps to expand Eklavya Model Residential Schools
(EMRS) across tribal districts including Kandhamal in Odisha and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the present status of EMRS in Kandhamal district including the number of functional schools and those
under various stages of development;
(c) whether the Government is considering sanctioning new EMRS in tribal-dominated blocks such as
Khajuripada and Chakapad in Kandhamal which are currently not covered under the scheme and if so, the
details thereof; and
(d) if not, whether the Government would consider their inclusion in the next phase and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) & (b) In the Union Budget 2018–19, the Government of India announced that, to provide quality
education to tribal children in their own environment, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) would
be established in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, as per
the 2011 Census. 111 EMRSs have been approved in the State of Odisha, including 27 approved under
Article 275(1). Kandhamal district has ten approved EMRS out of which two are functional and remaining
are in different stages of construction.
(c) & (d) The requirement of EMRSs is reviewed from time to time.
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