The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided information regarding maintenance grants for Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. Under the NESTS scheme, a recurring grant was allocated: ₹1,09,000 per student per annum until the third quarter of FY 2024-25, increased to ₹1,40,059 per student per annum for the fourth quarter, and subsequently revised to ₹1,47,062 per student per annum from FY 2025-26, inclusive of maintenance. Funds are released to State EMRS Societies every six months in advance. The funds released to the State of Karnataka are as follows:
- 2022-23: ₹1,768.84 Lakhs
- 2023-24: ₹2,677.67 Lakhs
- 2024-25: ₹7,933.24 Lakhs
- 2025-26 (till 27.01.2026): ₹3,926.78 Lakhs
Key Entities Referenced
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs): Schools receiving maintenance grants as described in the document. Key focus of the policy.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The ministry responsible for addressing the questions about the grants.
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS): Society allocating the recurring grants for EMRS schools.
Karnataka: Indian state where the EMRS schools mentioned are located; central to the applicability of the grants discussed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2073
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR EMRSs
2073. SHRI SUNIL BOSE:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government has allocated and released maintenance grants to the Eklavya Model
Residential Schools (EMRSs) located in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka during the current and the
last three financial years;
(b) if so, the specific details of the grant amount sanctioned and utilized by EMRSs under the maintenance
head during the said period;
(c) if not, the reasons for the delay or non-release of the stipulated maintenance grants to these schools; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure timely and full release of maintenance grants to these
institutions to ensure smooth functioning and proper upkeep of infrastructure?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (d) Under the existing scheme of EMRS, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS)
allocated a recurring grant of ₹1,09,000 per student per annum till third quarter of FY 2024-25. For fourth
quarter it was increased to Rs. 1,40,059/- per student per annum. It has been subsequently revised to Rs.
1,47,062/- per student per annum from FY 2025-26 which is inclusive of maintenance expenses and is
applicable to EMRS located in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka also. The funds are released to State
EMRS Societies every six months in advance for their smooth functioning.
The details of funds released for the State of Karnataka in this regard, during the last 3 financial years and
current financial year is as follows:
Financial Year Rs. in Lakhs
2022-23 1,768.84
2023-24 2,677.67
2024-25 7,933.24
2025-26 till 27.01.2026 3,926.78
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