**Executive Summary**
This document is the response from the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs to Unstarred Question No. 3131 in the Lok Sabha, to be answered on December 18, 2025. The question pertains to the functioning and infrastructure of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Kerala. The response details steps taken by the Ministry to assess and improve EMRS facilities, as well as address staffing shortages.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Infrastructure Review:**
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs regularly reviews the infrastructure status of all EMRS across India, including Kerala.
* Provisions for sanction of ₹5 crore for upgradation of EMRSs to bridge infrastructure gaps for EMRSs sanctioned under Article 275 (1).
* **EMRS Sanction and Construction:**
* The Ministry has sanctioned 4 EMRSs under Article 275(1) in Kerala.
* Construction of EMRS buildings has been completed in two districts; construction in remaining districts is at different stages.
* **Smart Classrooms:**
* All EMRSs are being provided with smart classrooms in a phased manner through ERNET.
* Smart classes have been installed in EMRS Idukki and EMRS Pookode.
* **Staffing and Recruitment:**
* NESTS conducted a direct recruitment drive for 10391 posts through ESSE-2023, and selected staff have been posted in various EMRSs.
* A notification for recruitment of 7267 teaching and non-teaching posts through ESSE-2025 has been issued.
* State Governments have been advised to engage staff on deputation and outsourcing basis to ensure academic activities are not hampered.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Tribal Affairs**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the continued infrastructure review, allocation of funds, monitoring of construction, and overseeing the provision of smart classrooms.
* **Action Required:** Continue infrastructure reviews, continue providing funds to bridge infrastructure gaps.
**Stakeholder: State Governments of Kerala**
* **Impact:** Responsible for supporting academic activities by engaging staff on deputation and outsourcing basis.
* **Action Required:** Engage staff on deputation and outsourcing basis to ensure that the academic activities are not hampered.
**Stakeholder: NESTS (National Education Society for Tribal Students)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for conducting recruitment drives (ESSE-2023 and ESSE-2025) and for the allocation of staff to EMRS.
* **Action Required:** Continue conducting direct recruitment drives and allocating staff to EMRS.
**Stakeholder: EMRS Students and Staff**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of upgraded infrastructure, smart classrooms, and increased staffing.
* **Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): A scheme to provide quality education to tribal students in residential schools.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The central ministry responsible for the EMRS scheme and related tribal affairs.
Kerala: Indian state where the functioning and infrastructure of EMRS are being assessed.
Article 275 (1): A provision under which the Ministry has sanctioned funds for EMRS in Kerala.
NESTS: An organization carrying out direct recruitment of posts for EMRS.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3131
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025
FUNCTIONING OF EMRS IN KERALA
3131. DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the present state of infrastructure in Eklavya Model
Residential Schools (EMRS) functioning in Kerala;
(b) if so, the details of deficiencies reported with respect to classrooms, hostels, sanitation
facilities, ICT infrastructure and availability of trained teaching and non-teaching staff;
(c) whether the Government has taken steps to expedite the completion of sanctioned EMRS
projects in Wayanad, Palakkad, Idukki and other tribal-dominated districts in Kerala and if
so, the details thereof;
(d) whether additional financial or technical support is proposed to upgrade existing EMRS
facilities to meet national standards, including provisions for smart classrooms, digital
learning tools, sports infrastructure and gender-sensitive hostel arrangements, if so, the details
thereof; and
(e) the timeline within which the Government proposes to bridge the infrastructure gaps and
ensure full operationalisation of all sanctioned EMRS in Kerala?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a to e): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs regularly reviews the infrastructure status of all
EMRS across India including the State of Kerala. Provision has been made for sanction of ₹5
crore for upgradation of EMRSs, to bridge Infrastructure gaps, if any, in EMRSs sanctioned
under the Article 275 (1).
The Ministry has sanctioned 4 EMRSs under Article 275(1) in the State of Kerala.
The construction of EMRS buildings has been completed in two districts, while construction
is at different stages in remaining districts.All EMRSs are provided with smart classrooms in a phased manner through ERNET.
Accordingly, smart classes have been installed in EMRS Idukki and EMRS Pookode.
Further, NESTS carried out its first drive for direct recruitment of 10391 posts through
EMRS Staff Selection Examination (ESSE)-2023 and staff selected have been posted in
various EMRSs. The notification for recruitment of 7267 teaching and non-teaching posts
through ESSE-2025 has also been issued. In addition to the direct recruitment, NESTS also
has advised State Governments to engage staff on deputation and outsourcing basis so that
academic activities are not hampered.
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