**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to Unstarred Question No. 204 in Lok Sabha concerning Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in Andhra Pradesh, to be answered on January 29, 2026. It details the government's assessment, support, and future plans for TRIs, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, addressing socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and research initiatives. Attachments with this summary list funds and activity details.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Assessment of TRIs:**
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs periodically reviews TRI performance.
* A NITI Aayog evaluation in October 2025 affirmed the scheme's alignment with constitutional mandates.
* There are recommendations to strengthen TRI capacity through resource allocation and research standardization.
* Collaboration with universities and international agencies is advised.
* **Support to TRIs:**
* The Ministry funds 29 TRIs under the 'Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)' scheme (Annexure-I).
* TRIs function as knowledge centers and think tanks for tribal development.
* Funds are sanctioned based on annual action plans submitted through State Tribal Welfare Departments and approved by the Apex Committee.
* Annexure-II details funds released to TRIs, including the Andhra Pradesh TRI, from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
* **Addressing Gaps and Future Plans:**
* Gaps identified in research capacity, infrastructure, digitization, and manpower are being addressed with financial assistance.
* Plans exist to strengthen and upgrade TRIs, including in Andhra Pradesh, through infrastructure enhancement, data-driven policy research, and language preservation.
* **Andhra Pradesh Specifics:**
* The Tribal Cultural Research & Training Mission (TCR&TM) in Andhra Pradesh has a roadmap to enhance activities.
* A database is created for tribal artists and artisans.
* Primers are developed in six tribal languages.
* Data-driven approaches are integrated into tribal development planning.
* Annexure-III lists research projects and training programs conducted by the Andhra Pradesh TRI.
* **Research and Training Programs:**
* TRIs conducted 399 research studies and 467 training programs in the last five years.
* Details of Andhra Pradesh TRI's activities are in Annexure-III.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tribal Communities:**
* **Impact:** Improved socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and access to research-driven initiatives, and increased visibility in fairs and festivals.
* **Action Required:** Engage with TRI programs and initiatives to benefit from available resources and support.
**Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs):**
* **Impact:** Enhanced funding, infrastructure, research capacity, and operational efficiency, potentially leading to more impactful research and developmental activities.
* **Action Required:** Develop and submit detailed annual action plans with budgetary requirements through respective State Tribal Welfare Departments. Work to improve research capacity, digitization, and human resources.
**Ministry of Tribal Affairs:**
* **Impact:** Strengthened ability to achieve its mandate of tribal development and cultural preservation through effective TRIs.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor TRI performance, allocate resources strategically, and encourage collaborations to improve TRI capabilities.
**State Tribal Welfare Departments:**
* **Impact:** Enhanced responsibility in coordinating with TRIs and facilitating the flow of funds and resources.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate the submission of detailed annual action plans from TRIs, ensure the sanctioned funds are distributed effectively, and collaborate with TRIs to achieve tribal development goals.
**Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS):**
* **Impact:** TCR&TM has developed a roadmap through CIPS, leading to enhancement of its activities.
* **Action Required:** continue working together to ensure implementation of initiatives, especially regarding tribal artist data, tribal fares and tribal language development.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs): Autonomous institutions that function as think tanks for tribal development and preservation of tribal art and culture.
Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs): The centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to strengthen, upgrade, and support the Tribal Research Institutes across India.
Andhra Pradesh: Indian state where the TRI activities mentioned in the document are focused.
NITI Aayog: Government of India’s premier policy think tank
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 204
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
TRIBAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES (TRIS) IN ANDHRA PRADESH
204. SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:
SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:
SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed impact and effectiveness of Tribal Research
Institutes (TRIs) in socio-economic development, cultural preservation and research
initiatives, if so, the key findings of such assessments;
(b) the funds allocated, released and utilized by each Tribal Research Institute (TRI) under
Support to TRIs scheme during the last five years, year-wise and State-wise, especially for
Andhra Pradesh including their location;
(c) whether the Government has identified any gaps in research or infrastructure of TRIs and
if so, the corrective measures taken to strengthen these Institutes;
(d) the total number of research studies and training programmes conducted by TRIs during
the last five years along with the details of projects undertaken in Andhra Pradesh for tribal
welfare and cultural documentation; and
(e) whether there are plans to expand or upgrade Tribal Research Institutes with improved
data-driven governance models and language preservation initiatives particularly in Andhra
Pradesh and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATES FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) Yes, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs periodically reviews the performance of Tribal
Research Institutes (TRIs) through meetings, monitoring of implementation of approved
projects, utilisation certificates, progress reports, physical visits of TRIs, and evaluation of
outputs. An extensive evaluation study was also conducted by the Development Monitoring
and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog for which report was submitted in October
2025. This evaluation report highlighted that the scheme aligns strongly with constitutionalmandates for research and documentation on tribal matters. TRIs have played a pivotal role in
preserving traditional knowledge and supporting policy formulation. However, their capacity
varies widely across states. It was recommended to strengthen institutional capacity of TRIs
through targeted resource allocation and standardization of research guidelines across states.
Besides, it was advised collaborations with universities and international development
agencies for co-funded research should be encouraged.
(b) Presently, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is funding 29 Tribal Research Institutes under the
Scheme ‘Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)’. The core responsibility of TRIs is to
function as a body of knowledge & research and as a think tank for tribal development
and preservation of art and culture of tribal people with repository of information pertaining
to tribal communities, their society and culture and critical areas of concern. Within the set of
TRIs, there are tribal museum, library, training centre, research wing etc. TRIs have carried
out various activities viz. research studies, evaluation studies, organization of
training/seminar/workshop, organization of tribal fairs and festivals, baseline survey,
publications, documentaries/ documentation, organization of exchange visits etc. over the
years. The list of TRIs is at Annexure-I.
Tribal Research Institute(s) submit to the Ministry annual detailed action plan with budgetary
requirement through respective State Tribal Welfare Department. Funds are sanctioned to the
State Government on need basis and with the approval of Apex Committee chaired by the
Secretary, Tribal Affairs. Details of funds released to TRIs including TRI, Andhra Pradesh
under the Scheme of ‘Support to Tribal Research Institutes’ during the period from 2020-21
to 2024-25 is given at Annexure-II.
(c) Yes, this Ministry has identified gaps relating to research capacity, infrastructure,
digitisation, and manpower in TRIs. Corrective measures include financial assistance for
infrastructure upgradation, support for digitization of records and research outputs,
strengthening of human resources and technical expertise, and Encouraging collaborations
with academic and research institutions
(d) TRIs have conducted 399 research studies and 467 training programmes during the last
five years. The details of research projects and training programmes conducted by TRI in
Andhra Pradesh for tribal welfare and cultural documentation are given at Annexure-III.
(e) Yes, there are active plans to strengthen, upgrade, and support Tribal Research Institutes
(TRIs) across India, including Andhra Pradesh, through the centrally sponsored scheme
"Support to Tribal Research Institutes". The focus is on enhancing infrastructural capacity,
data-driven policy research, and language preservation. The following initiatives have been
taken by the Government for the purpose:
The Tribal Cultural Research & Training Mission (TCR&TM) in Andhra Pradesh has
developed a roadmap through the Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS) to
enhance its activities. Database created for tribal artists, artisans and cultural artists. Tribal
Artists & Artisans are sent to the state and national level tribal fairs and festivals to exhibit
and for sale tribal arts and crafts. Further, to preserve tribal languages, primers are developedin 6 tribal languages (Savara, Kuvi, Konda, Koya, Adivasi Oriya and Sugali). TRIs are
actively involved in preserving indigenous tribal languages through the preparation of
bilingual dictionaries and trilingual proficiency modules. Besides, data-driven approaches are
integrated into tribal development planning, utilizing dashboards developed by the Centre of
Excellence of Data Analytics (CEDA) for monitoring schemes.Annexure-I
List of Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)
Sl. Address
No.
1 Tribal Research Institute, Government of Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Administration, Port Blair – 744 101
2 Tribal Research Institute, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Tribal Welfare
Department, Kandhari Hotel Road, Revenue Colony, Vijayawada- 520 010
3 Tribal Research Institute, Department of Social Justice &Empowerment &Tribal
Affairs, Behind Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, B-Sector. Naharlagun, Pin: 791110,
Arunachal Pradesh.
4 Assam Institute of Research for Tribals& Scheduled Castes, Government of
Assam, Jawahar Nagar, N.H. – 37, Guwahati-781022
5 Tribal Research & Training Institute
Govt. of Chhattisgarh, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar, Sector-4, Raipur
6 Tribal Research & Training Institute,
Gujarat Vidyapith, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-380014, Gujarat
7 Institute of Tribal Studies
Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hills, Shimla- 171005, Himachal
Pradesh
8 Tribal Welfare Research Institute
Government of Jharkhand, Morabadi Road, Ranchi – 834008
9 Tribal Research Institute, Directorate of Tribal Affairs
Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, Civil Secretariat, Jammu - 180001
10 Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute,
#CA-3 Treasury Laout, Kergally, Mysuru - 570026
11 Kerala Institute for Research Training & Development, Studies for SC / ST,
Government ofKerala, Kozhikode – 673017
12 Tribal Research & Development Institute,
Government of Madhya Pradesh, 35, Shyamla Hills, Bhopal – 46200213 Tribal Research & Training Institute,
Government of Maharashtra, 28, Queens Garden, Pune-411011
14 Tribal Research Institute,
Government of Manipur, Chingmeirong, Imphal – 795001
15 SC / ST Research & Training Institute,
Government of Odisha, Unit-VIII, CRP Square, Bhubaneswar – 751003
16 Tribal Research &Training Institute, Government of Rajasthan,
Ashok Nagar, Post Box No. 86. Udaipur-313 001
17 Tribal Research Institute, Social Justice & Empowerment and Welfare
Department, Government of Sikkim, Samay Kalyan Bhavan, Room No. 402, 5th
Mile, Lumsay, Tadong, Gangtok-737 101
18 Tribal Research Center, Government of Tamil Nadu, M.Palada
(PO),Udhagamandalam, Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu,Ooty-643 004
19 TCR & TI, Government of Telangana, DSS Bhawan, Masab Tank, Hyderabad-
500 028
20 Tribal Research & Cultural Institute, Government of Tripura, Lakechovemahui,
Agartala, West Tripura-799001
21 Cultural Research Institute,
Government of West Bengal, P6-1/4 CIT Scheme VII-M, VIP Road,
Kankurgachi, Kolkata- 700054
22 SC / ST Research & Training Institute,
Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, Bhagidari Bhawan, (Near Ambedkar Park), VipulKhand-
Gomati Nagar, Lucknow-226010
23 Tribal Research Institute, Social Welfare Directorate, Chaltlang, Aizawl,
Mizoram 796012
24 Tribal Research Institute, The Directorate of Social Welfare, Near Raj Bhavan,
Kohima, Nagaland.
25 Tribal Research Institute, Social Welfare Department, Government of
Uttarakhand, Subhash Road, Secretariat, Dehradun – 248 001
26 Tribal Research Institute, Babadam, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya
27 Tribal Research Institute, Directorate of Tribal Welfare, 5th Floor, Shram Shakti
Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa28. Tribal Research Institute, Ladakh, Kargil Campus, University of Ladakh
29. Bihar Scheduled Tribe Research and Training Institute (BSTRTI)
64/40 Officers Flat, Nehru Path, Patna- 800001Annexure-II
Annexure referred to in reply to Part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 204 to be
answered on 29.01.2026 regarding Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in Andhra Pradesh.
Details of funds released under the Scheme of ‘Support to Tribal Research Institutes’
during 2020-21 to 2024-25
Fund Released (Rs. in lakh)
Sl. No. State
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
1 Andaman and Nicobar 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00
2 Andhra Pradesh 455.00 432.75 219.13 125.00 0.00
3 Arunachal Pradesh 184.15 0 0.00 48.63 150.00
4 Assam 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 270.00
5 Bihar 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 99.00
6 Chhattisgarh 0.00 189.04 113.43 250.00 1100.00
7 Goa 202.50 111.75 0.00 50.57 200.00
8 Gujarat 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 250.00
9 Himachal Pradesh 50.00 114.1 0 0.00 125.00
10 Jammu And Kashmir 206.51 200 170.84 770.85 100.00
11 Jharkhand 0.00 13.92 164.96 417.03 200.00
12 Karnataka 26.35 184.25 0.00 0.00 200.00
13 Kerala 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 300.00
14 Ladakh 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 99.00
15 Madhya Pradesh 447.00 484.58 0.00 143.08 600.00
16 Maharashtra 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 250.00
17 Manipur 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 140.00
18 Meghalaya 0.00 66.224 0.00 0.00 100.00
19 Mizoram 1178.22 766.65 53.75 550.00 723.14
20 Nagaland 0.00 85 205.000 400.00 600.00
21 Odisha 503.00 644.76 313.15 600.00 600.00
22 Rajasthan 8.89 215.34216 0.00 0.00 0.00
23 Sikkim 144.00 273.3 0.00 0.00 200.00
24 Tamil Nadu 0.00 135.09 0.00 25.00 300.00
25 Telangana 375.75 548.95 0.00 0.00 1300.00
26 Tripura 0.00 44.29384 0.00 25.00 300.00
27 Uttar Pradesh 35.15 89.25 0.00 0.00 0.00
28 Uttarakhand 2183.48 1400.75 0.00 948.01 793.86
29 West Bengal 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 6000.00 6000.00 1240.26 4353.17 9000.00Annexure-III
Annexure referred to in reply to Part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 204 to be
answered on 29.01.2026 regarding Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in Andhra Pradesh.
Details of research projects and training programmes conducted by TRI in Andhra
Pradesh for tribal welfare and cultural documentation
Project
Sl. Financial
Activity Name Project Name Amount
No. Year
(in Lakh)
1 2024-2025 Training/ Organisation of one day State Level 10
Seminars/ Tribal Painting competition and
Workshops/ facilitation of eminent Tribal Artists
Conferences
2 2024-2025 Training/ Conduct of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: 0
Seminars/ Tribal Pride Day 2024 (15th November to
Workshops/ 21st November)
Conferences
3 2024-2025 Training/ Organization of skill training to the tribal 10
Seminars/ artisans, artists, Cultural performers, folk
Workshops/ singers. and musicians to enhance their
Conferences skills and Promote traditional art.
4 2024-2025 Training/ Organisation Exhibition of a Three-Day 10
Seminars/ Art Exhibition
Workshops/
Conferences
5 2024-2025 Training/ Capacity building to the field 10
Seminars/ functionaries stakeholders on
Workshops/ implementation RoFR in the state.
Conferences
6 2024-2025 Training/ Capacity Building Line Demands to the 5
Seminars/ Field Functionaries of on STC / TSP
Workshops/ Components.
Conferences
7 2024-2025 Training/ Capacity Building to Teachers on Result 5
Seminars/ Orientation, Digital Tech etc.
Workshops/
Conferences
8 2024-2025 Training/ Organization of National-Level Archery 25
Seminars/ among Tribal Students
Workshops/
Conferences
9 2023-2024 Training/ Capacity building to the field 20
Seminars/ functionaries stakeholders on
Workshops/ implementation RoFR in the state.
Conferences
10 2023-2024 Training/ Skill upgradation among the Tribal 50
Seminars/ Artists and Artisans
Workshops/Conferences
11 2023-2024 Training/ Capacity building to ST PRI members on 20
Seminars/ PESA and LTR through cascade model
Workshops/
Conferences
12 2023-2024 Training/ Interface Workshops with Line 0
Seminars/ Departments for effective implementation
Workshops/ of TW Department Activities by
Conferences identifying gaps and lacunas to address
them through comprehensive plans.
13 2022-2023 Training/ Conduct of 4 Day National Craft Mela 80
Seminars/ cum Sale to promote the Tribal crafts
Workshops/ with an aim to vocal to local as well as
Conferences local to Global. It also promote their
livelihoods.
14 2021-2022 Training/ Capacity building to ST PRI members 5
Seminars/ through cascade model
Workshops/
Conferences
15 2021-2022 Training/ Capacity building on the RoFR 5
Seminars/
Workshops/
Conferences
16 2021-2022 Training/ Creating data base and capacity Building 5
Seminars/ to Tribal Artisans and Artists
Workshops/
Conferences
Sl. Financial Activity Name Sub Project Name Project
No. Year Activity Amount
Name (in Lakh)
1 2024- Research & Education Skill gap Study among Scheduled 10
2025 Documentation Tribe Youth in Andhra Pradesh
and identification of employable
trades having local potentiality
including self-employment
2 2024- Research & Education Baseline Survey for checking on 10
2025 Documentation left out PVTGs for benefits of
Aadhaar enrolment. issue of
community certificates and
Jandhan accounts - the three
requirements for obtaining all
benefits
3 2023- Research & Education Action Research project of 65.75
2024 Documentation Deepening and scaling of Black
Pepper farmers livelihoods in
Andhra Pradesh
4 2023- Research & Education Action research project on listing 70.32024 Documentation ethno-medical practitioners among
tribal groups, documentation of
traditional health care practices,
medicinal values of plants and
usage, and the rise of nurseries of
medicinal plants in 8 ITDA areas
of the state.
5 2023- Research & Education Study cum action research trails for 56
2024 Documentation promoting broom grass cultivation
in long term fallow podu lands for
improving livelihood of the
Aadivasis in ASR and Manyam
district of Andhrapradesh
6 2022- Research & Baseline Baseline Survey on Primitive 27.37
2023 Documentation survey Vulnarable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
in Andhra Pradesh
7 2022- Research & Baseline Conducting baseline survey and 54.6
2023 Documentation survey preparation of integrated tribal
village development plan for 312
tribal villages for implementation
ofPradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsa
Yojana (Model Village)
8 2022- Research & Baseline Development and TRI publications 30
2023 Documentation survey of Dictionaries among the Six
Tribal Languages i.e. Savara,
Konda, Kuvi, Adivasi Oria, Koya
and Sugali
9 2022- Research & Baseline An Action Research of Skill 40
2023 Documentation survey Development on extraction of
fiberfrom SISAL Leaves and
Lantana plant to make alternative
livelihoods for the 17 Tribal groups
of the Paderu ITDA Agency Area.
10 2021- Research & None Conducting baseline survey and 43.75
2022 Documentation preparation of integrated tribal
village development plan for 250
tribal villages for implementation
of Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsa
Yojana (Model Village)
11 2020- Research & Any Other Polavaram Project - Relief AND 50
2021 Documentation Rehabilitation of PDF and PAF -
Study and developing
comprehensive village
development Plan for few Tribal
Villages in Polavaram Project
Region
12 2020- Research & Livelihoods Documentation and Compilation of 85
2021 Documentation Migrants in Andhra Pradesh -
Future Plan of Action forLivelihood Security
13 2020- Research & Education An Empirical study on assessment 28
2021 Documentation of Ashram Schools Functioning in
the State of Andhra Pradesh
14 2020- Research & Any Other Improving Black Pepper Farmers 100
2021 Documentation Incomes in Andhra Pradesh
15 2020- Research & Livelihoods Promoting new varietal Broom 55
2021 Documentation grass on the hill slopes as a
livelihood Enterprise Model
including skill development.
16 2020- Research & Livelihoods Skill development among tribes in 19
2021 Documentation processing for value addition of
NTFP for sustainable livelihoods
*****