The Ministry of Tribal Affairs addressed Unstarred Question No. 3036 on December 18, 2025, concerning Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, asked by SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA. The Minister of State for Tribal Affairs (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY) stated that all three sanctioned EMRS in the UT of Ladakh are currently non-functional, primarily due to delays in identifying suitable land by the State/UT and high costs. The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has advised state governments to expedite making approved EMRSs functional. The additional requirement of EMRSs across the country is reviewed periodically.
Key Entities Referenced
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): A scheme for providing quality education to tribal students, particularly in remote areas.
Ladakh: Union Territory where the functionality of EMRS is being questioned
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS: The central ministry responsible for addressing the questions raised.
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS): Advisory body on EMRS functionality
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3036
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025
EMRS IN UT OF LADAKH
3036. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether all the three sanctioned Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in the Union Territory
(UT) of Ladakh remain non-functional as on date, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to make these non-functional EMRS operational at the earliest
with quality education for students and the proposed timeline for making these EMRS functional; and
(c) whether the Government is planning to sanction more EMRS for the UT of Ladakh keeping in view the
vast tribal population of the region and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (c) All three sanctioned EMRS in UT of Ladakh are presently non-functional mainly due to delay in
identification of suitable land by State/UT and high cost issues. National Education Society for Tribal
Students (NESTS) has advised state governments to make approved EMRSs functional at the earliest.
Further, the additional requirement of EMRSs across country is reviewed from time to time.
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