**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 212, asked in Lok Sabha on 29.01.2026, regarding the establishment of National Tribal Museums in India. The Minister of Tribal Affairs clarifies that no such proposal is currently under consideration. Instead, the Ministry has sanctioned 11 Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums (TFFMs) in 10 States, four of which are operational.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Tribal Museums:**
* No proposal to establish National Tribal Museums is currently under consideration.
* **Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums (TFFMs):**
* Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned 11 TFFMs in 10 States.
* The museums aim to recognize and create awareness about the sacrifices and contributions of tribal people in India's freedom movement.
* Four TFFMs have been inaugurated and are operational, showcasing tribal valor and legacy.
* Objectives include the preservation, documentation, and exhibition of tribal cultural heritage, history, traditions, art forms, and freedom struggle contributions.
* **Responsibilities & Financials**
* State Governments are responsible for land selection, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), and museum construction.
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme "Support to Tribal Research Institutes" and "Proviso to Article 275(1)".
* Project-wise approved cost and expenditure are maintained by the concerned State Governments.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for land selection, DPR preparation, construction of museums and maintaining project finances.
* **Action Required:** Continue with the land selection and preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the remaining 7 sanctioned museums. Maintain details regarding project-wise approved cost and expenditure for already sanctioned projects.
**Ministry of Tribal Affairs**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing financial assistance for these projects under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to Tribal Research Institutes” and “Proviso to Article 275(1)”.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide financial assistance for these projects based on the requirements and proposals received from State Governments.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The primary Ministry responsible for the establishment of Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums (TFFMs) and providing financial assistance.
Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums (TFFMs): Museums sanctioned by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to recognize contributions of tribal people in India's freedom movement.
Support to Tribal Research Institutes: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under which the Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides financial assistance.
Article 275(1): Referenced in the context of financial assistance provided for the Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums (TFFMs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 212
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
NATIONAL TRIBAL MUSEUMS
212. DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is establishing National Tribal Museums in the country;
(b) if so, the details of the proposal and the names of the places where these museums are being set up and
the present status of construction thereof;
(c) the objectives of setting up of these museums and the details of provisions made to showcase the cultural
heritage of the various tribes of the country; and
(d) the total estimated cost of this project, the approved budget and the expenditure incurred so far?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATES FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (d) No such proposal of establishing National Tribal Museums by Ministry of Tribal Affairs is under
consideration at this stage. However, with the aim to recognize and create awareness about the sacrifices and
contributions of tribal people in India’s freedom movement, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned 11
Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums (TFFMs) in 10 States, based on proposals received from the respective
State Governments. Out of the 11 sanctioned Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums, four Museums have been
inaugurated and are operational, showcasing tribal valor and legacy. The objectives of setting up these
Museums include preservation, documentation and exhibition of the cultural heritage, history, traditions, art
forms and freedom struggle contributions of various tribal communities, and to promote awareness among
the public about the role of tribal leaders and communities in the nation’s freedom movement. The
responsibility for selection of land, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and construction of these
Museums rests with the concerned State Governments. Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides financial
assistance for these projects under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to Tribal Research Institutes”
and “Proviso to Article 275(1)”, based on the requirements and proposals received from State Governments.
Details regarding project-wise approved cost and expenditure are maintained by the concerned State
Governments.
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