Parliament Question: EMRSs in Rural and Remote Tribal Areas

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1110 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026 EMRSs IN RURAL AND REMOTE TRIBAL AREAS †1110. DR. FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is setting up Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) in tribal-dominated rural and remote areas; (b) if so, the stipulated timeframe right from land identification to completion of construction for sanctioned EMRSs; (c) whether it is a fact that students are being accomodated and studying in rented or temporary buildings due to incomplete construction in many rural areas; (d) if so, the provision of average timeframe within which the permanent buildings for such schools are expected to be completed and the schools made fully operational; and (e) whether any specific timeframe or guidelines have been laid down to limit timeline for operation of EMRSs operating in rented or temporary buildings? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY) (a) & (b) As per existing Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme guidelines, 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. Under the scheme, there is no stipulated timeline for identification of land, however State Governments are regularly requested to provide land on urgent basis. The total construction period of EMRS is 24 months for plain area and 30 months for LWE/Hilly/NE areas after encumbrance free land is provided by the respective state government. (c) to (e) The State Governments are currently running some of the EMRSs from rented and other government buildings, where construction of the permanent campuses is not complete. *****