Parliament Question: Welfare Schemes for Scheduled Tribes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO- 937 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 05/02/2026 WELFARE SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES 937. Dr. Alok Kumar Suman: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the present status of implementation of welfare schemes for Scheduled Tribes across the country: (b) the measures taken to ensure access of tribal communities to education, healthcare, nutrition, housing and livelihood opportunities: c) the steps being undertaken to protect forest rights, land ownership and traditional Livelihoods of tribal populations under existing laws and policies: (d) whether any special initiatives are being implemented for skill development, entrepreneurship and employment generation among tribal youth and women, if so, the details thereof: (e) the mechanisms in place to ensure effective utilisation of funds, monitoring of outcomes and participation of tribal communities in decision-making, and (f) the additional policy, financial and institutional measures proposed by the Government to promote inclusive development, social justice, cultural preservation and sustainable growth of tribal areas while addressing regional disparities and improving the quality of life of Scheduled Tribes nationwide? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY) (a) and (b): The Government is implementing the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST)/ Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) as a strategy for the development of Scheduled Tribes and areas having tribal concentration in the country. Under DAPST, besides the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 41 Central Ministries/Departments are mandated to allocate a specified percentage of their total scheme budget every year for tribal development, with the objective of bridging the developmental gap between Scheduled Tribes (STs) and non-ST populations. These allocations support various tribal development initiatives relating to education, health, agriculture, irrigation, roads, housing, electrification, employment generation, skill development, and allied sectors. State Governments are also required to earmark Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) funds in proportion to the ST population in the State, as per Census 2011. Details of schemes and funds allocated by the obligated Ministries/Departments for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes are reflected in Statement 10B (https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/budget2025-26/doc/eb/stat10b.pdf) of the Expenditure Profile of the Union Budget.Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing various major schemes/programmes for the welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country such as: i. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was started in the year 2018-19 to provide quality education at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya to the tribal children in their own environment. Under the new scheme, Government decided to establish 440 EMRSs, one EMRS in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011). 288 EMRS schools were initially funded under Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, which are being upgraded as per the new model. Accordingly, Ministry has set the target to set up total of 728 EMRSs benefiting around 3.5 lakh ST students across the country. Details of funds released under EMRS during last three years (Rs. In Lakh) State/UT 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25* All India 1,97,055.63 2,30,494.85 4,61,079.71 *Provisional ii. Pre-Matric Scholarships to ST students: The scheme is applicable to students who are studying in Classes IX –X. Parental income from all sources should not be more than Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum. Scholarship of Rs.225/-per month for day scholars and Rs.525/-per month for hostellers is given for a period of 10 months in a year. Scholarship is disbursed through the State Government/UT Administration. Funding ratio is 75:25 between Centre and States for all States except North East and Hills States/UT like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UTs without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central share. Fund released under Pre-Matric scholarship Scheme for ST students during last three year (Rs. In Crore) State/UT F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24 F.Y. 2024-25* All India 357.29 308.60 163.69 *Provisional iii. Post Matric Scholarship to ST students: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the Scheduled Tribe students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary levels to enable them to complete their education. Parental income from all sources should not be more than Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum. Compulsory fees charged by educational institutions are reimbursed subject to the limit fixed by the concerned State Fee fixation committee and scholarship amount of Rs.230 to Rs.1200 per month, depending upon the course of study is paid. The Scheme is implemented by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Funding ratio is 75:25 between Centre and States for all States except NE and Hilly States/UT of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir where it is 90:10. For UTs without legislature sharing pattern is 100% Central share.Fund released under Post-Matric scholarship Scheme for ST students during last three year (Rs. In Crore) State/UT F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24 F.Y. 2024-25* All India 1964.63 2668.69 2598.34 *Provisional iv. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Hon'ble PM launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan Hon'ble PM launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) on 2nd October, 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of 25 interventions implemented by 17-line Ministries and aims to saturate infrastructural gaps in 63,843 villages, provide social infrastructure like hostels, Anganwadi facilities and mobile medical units and set up Van Dhan Vikas Kendras to provide livelihood opportunities benefiting more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs in 5 years. The Abhiyan has a total budgetary outlay of Rs.79,156 Cr (Central share: ₹56,333 Cr and State share: ₹22,823 Cr). v. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): Government launched Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) for socio- economic development of 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 states and one UT. The mission aims to provide basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of unelectrified households and sustainable livelihood opportunities in 3 years. These objectives are planned to be met through 11 interventions including Hostels and Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) implemented by 9-line Ministries. PM JANMAN has total budgetary outlay of Rs.24,104 Cr (Central share: ₹15336 Cr and State share: ₹8768 Cr). Funds released to State Governments during last three years under PM-JANMAN (Rs. In Cr) State/UTs FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25* All India -- 100 99.68 *Provisional vi. Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution: Under the Proviso to Article 275(1) of Constitution, Grants are released to States, having ST population for raising the level of administration in Scheduled Areas and for the welfare of tribal people. This is a Special Area Programme and 100% grants are provided to States. Funds are released to the State Governments depending on the felt needs of ST population to bridge the gap in infrastructure activities in the fields of education, health, skill development, livelihood, drinking water, sanitation, etc. Fund released during last three year under Article 275(1) of Constitution (as on 31.06.2025) (Rs.in Lakh) States 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25* Total Release Total Release Total Release All India 97649.20 117210.00 117057.00 *Provisionalvii. Grant-in Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes: Under the scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, the Ministry funds projects in the fields of education and health, covering residential schools, non-residential schools, hostels, mobile dispensaries, ten or more bedded hospitals, livelihood, etc. Fund Released Funded During last three year (Rs.in Lakh) State/UTs 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25* All India 10925 12083.7 17500 *Provisional viii. National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC): under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is an apex organisation set up exclusively for economic development of Scheduled Tribes implements various schemes for livelihood generation. NSTFDC extends concessional loans to the eligible Scheduled Tribe communities including Tharu tribe. The schemes of NSTFDC are implemented across the country including the state of Uttar Pradesh. The prominent schemes of NSTFDC are given as under:  Term Loan Scheme: NSTFDC provides Term Loan for viable projects costing upto ₹50.00 lakh per unit. Under the scheme, financial assistance is extended upto 90% of the cost of the project and the balance is met by way of subsidy/ promoter contribution/ margin money.  Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): This is an exclusive scheme for economic development of Scheduled Tribes Women. Under the scheme, NSTFDC provides loan upto 90% for projects costing upto ₹2 lakh.  Micro Credit Scheme for Self Help Groups (MCF): This is an exclusive scheme for Self Help Groups for meeting small loan requirement of ST member. Under the scheme, the Corporation provides loans upto ₹50,000/- per member and maximum ₹5 Lakh per Self Help Group (SHG).  Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana (ASRY): This is an Education loan scheme to enable the ST students to meet expenditure for pursuing technical and professional education including Ph.D. in India. Under this scheme, the Corporation provides financial assistance upto ₹10 lakh per eligible family. The students are eligible for interest subsidy from Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, during the moratorium period i.e. course period plus one year after completion of course or six months after getting the job, whichever is earlier. (Rs. in lakhs) 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25* State/UTs Amount disbursed Amount disbursed Amount disbursed All India 29929.00 35165.42 37327.70 *Provisional State Governments are also supposed to earmark TSP funds with respect to the total Scheme allocation, in proportion to ST population (Census 2011) in the State. The details of allocation and expenditure for TSP by States/UTs are available at https://statetsp.tribal.gov.in. Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing various schemes/programmes for the welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country. The details of these schemes and the State-wise funds allocations made during last five financial years by the Ministry is given at (c): Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implemented “The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA)”, which was enacted with the objectiveof undoing the historical injustices faced by Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers due to the long-standing non-recognition of their rights over forest lands and resources. FRA recognizes 13 different usufruct rights including the right to hold and live in the forest land under the individual or common occupation for habitation or for self-cultivation for livelihood, right of ownership, access to collect, use, and dispose of minor forest produce. Entitlement on usage of water bodies and its products, pastures for grazing (both settled or transhumant) and traditional seasonal resource access and also provide authority and responsibility to the Gram Sabha of the forest dependent community to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting sustainable use. Further, FRA provides adequate safeguards to avoid any displacement of tribal population but also seeks to involve democratic institutions in the process of recognition and vesting of forest rights at the grassroots level. Statement of Claims received, Distribution of title deeds, and the extent of forest land for which titles distributed (individual and community), under “The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006” as on 31.05.2025: No. of Claims received upto 31.05.2025 No. of Titles Distributed upto 31.05.2025 State/Uts Individual Community Total Individual Community Total All India 49,11,495 2,11,609 51,23,104 23,89,670 1,21,705 25,11,375 *Provisional State/Uts Extent of Forest land for which titles distributed (in acres) All India Individual Community Total 5075083.5 18198863.9 23273947.4 *Provisional (d): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs through its two agencies namely Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) & National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation (NSTFDC) has contributed significantly to support and grow entrepreneurs and businesses of individuals belonging to tribal communities across India. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)’ through TRIFED which envisions to strengthen tribal entrepreneurship initiatives and to facilitate livelihood opportunities by promoting more efficient, equitable, self- managed, optimum use of natural resources, Agri / Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) / Non-farm produce. Under the scheme, financial support of INR 15.00 lakhs is provided to the State Governments for setting up each Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) which are the centers of value addition activities of MFPs/Non-MFPs. Since the inception of the program in 2019-20, an amount of Rs. 612.13 crores has been sanctioned for establishment of 4125 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) associating 12.33 lakh members. Additionally, under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) initiative, an amount of Rs. 22.98 crores has been sanctioned for establishment of 539 VDVKs associating 45,924 members. State-wise details of the same is given atAll India-wise details of PMJVM VDVKs (Rs. In lakhs) State/UTs No. of VDVKs sanctioned Total No. of Beneficiaries Funds Sanctioned All India 4125 1233328 61212.7 All India -wise details of PM-JANMAN VDVKs (Rs. in lakhs) State / UTs VDVK Sanctioned Beneficiaries Fund Sanctioned All India 539 45,924 2298.05 Additionally, TRIFED provides backward and forward linkages for tribal artisans and suppliers, facilitating the marketing of tribal products across various categories, including metal craft, textiles, jewelry, paintings, cane and bamboo, terracotta and pottery, as well as organic and natural food products. These products are marketed through both online and offline platforms. Furthermore, TRIFED organizes and participates in festivals, exhibitions, and trade fairs to provide a platform for tribal artisans to showcase their products, connect with potential buyers, and enhance their entrepreneurial opportunities. (e) and (f): The Ministry has undertaken two missions for development of STs through convergence of funds available with different Ministries/Departments under DAPST namely - Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan. Committees have been formulated at the State, District, and Block levels to ensure effective implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. At the State level, a State-Level Apex Committee (SLAC) chaired by the Chief Secretary has been constituted. At the District level, a District-Level Committee, chaired by the District Collector and at the Block level, a Block-Level Implementation Teams (BLITs) comprising officers from various departments have been set up to facilitate grassroots implementation of interventions. Apart from this, MoTA also conducts review meetings with the obligated Ministries/Departments. Nodal officers are also appointed in the respective Ministries/Departments. Multiple evaluation and monitoring exercises have been undertaken to assess the performance and impact of tribal welfare schemes. NITI Aayog (DMEO) through M/s KPMG Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd., conducted a comprehensive Evaluation Study of Centrally Sponsored Schemes under Package 9 for the period 2021–22 to 2025–26, covering seven schemes under the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana. 1. Pre-Matric Scholarship 2. Post Matric Scholarship for STs 3. Support to Tribal Research Institutes 4. Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) 5. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) 6. Pradhan Mantri Adi Adrash Gram Yojna – PMAAGY (previously known as Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme - SCA to TSS). PMAAGY is now revamped and is subsumed under DAJGUA 7. Administrative Cost to States / UTs In addition, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has got eight Central Sector schemes evaluated , namely: 1. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) 2. National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students3. Scholarship to the ST Students for studies abroad 4. Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes 5. Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) 6. Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE) 7. Monitoring, Evaluation, Survey and Social Audit (MESSA) 8. Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes ******