Tribal programmes in Tamil Nadu

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Tribal programmes in Tamil Nadu प्रव तथ: 12 AUG 2026 12:43PM by PIB Delhi Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed Rajya Sabha that the Government is committed to the socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes across the country, including state of Tamilnadu, through various schemes and programmes implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in convergence with the State Government of Tamil Nadu, implements a number of Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes for the development of tribal habitations and infrastructure in the State.The

funds released and implemented schemes are as under:

Sl. Scheme / FY Ben. FY Ben. FY Ben.

No. Programme 2023- 2024- 2025- 24 25 FR 26 FR (₹ (₹ FR (₹ crore) crore) crore) 1 Pre-Matric 3.62 17,557 0.6 19,178 8.13 19,514 Scholarship students students students 2 Post-Matric 20.00 25,216 25.00 28,273 26.33 31,239 Scholarship students students students 3 Eklavya Model 10.99 2,226 17.39 11,530 - - Residential Schools students students

(EMRS) enrolled in 8 EMRSs 4 Grants under 6.50 - 20.20 - 8.00 - Article 275(1) 5 Development of - - - - 27.23 - PVTGs 6 PM-JANMAN – 5.20 - 20.67 - - - Multi-Purpose Centres7 NSTFDC (Loans, 32.66 7,327 12.10 6,437 9.29 6,183 Micro-credit & beneficiaries beneficiaries beneficiaries Skill Development) 8 Grant-in-Aid to 3.77 98,098 1.89 146,040 4.89 79,713 Voluntary beneficiaries beneficiaries beneficiaries Organisations 9 National - 26 students - 27 students - 28 students Scholarship for Higher Education (Top Class) 10 National - 20 students - 19 students - 17 students Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) 11 National Overseas - - - - - - Scholarship (NOS) 12 Support To TRI - - 2.00 - 1.15 - 13 DAJGUA - - 0.20 - 0.02 - 14 PM-JANMAN – 37 VDVKs; 2,403 beneficiaries Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) 15 Pradhan Mantri 8 VDVKs; 2,400 beneficiaries Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) – VDVKs The district-wise details of tribal beneficiaries covered under major schemes of the Ministry in Tamil Nadu during the last three years are given below.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS):

The district-wise location and enrolment (2025-26) of the 8 EMRSs functional in Tamil Nadu are as

under:

S.No. District Block / Taluka Enrolment 2025-26 1 Kallakurichi (Villupuram) Kalrayan Hills (Chinnasalem) 3222 Kanchipuram (Chengalpattu) Thiruporur 266 3 Namakkal Kolli Hills 441 4 Salem Peddanaickenpalayam 461 5 Salem Yercaud 318 6 The Nilgiris Udhagamandalam 248 7 Tiruvannamalai Jawathu Hills 470 8 Tirupattur Kandili 383

Livelihoods: Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) and the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission

(PMJVM), implemented through TRIFED, for value addition of Minor Forest Produce and non-farm produce; as on date, 8 VDVKs (Rs. 120.00 lakh sanctioned, 7 operational, sales of Rs. 246.78 lakh) have been set up in Tamil Nadu under PMJVM, and a further 37 VDVKs (Rs. 120.15 lakh sanctioned, 29 operational, sales of Rs. 64.53 lakh) have been set up under PM-JANMAN for PVTG households, together associating over 4,800 Van Dhan SHG members; term loans, micro-credit and skill training through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), under which loans of Rs. 1,087.13 lakh, Rs. 3,265.67 lakh and Rs. 1,210.39 lakh benefiting 3,403, 7,327 and 6,437 ST beneficiaries respectively were disbursed in Tamil Nadu during 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Grant to Vol. Org (NGO): Tamil Nadu – Grant-in-Aid to NGOs in Health Sector under the Scheme "Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the Welfare of Scheduled Tribes" Sr.No. District Nature of Project 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Beneficiaries 1 Coimbatore GIA - 10 or more bedded 18,217 18,825 18,825 hospital 2 Coimbatore GIA - Mobile 22,517 43,820 27,624 dispensary/multi service mobile units 3 Nilgiris (Hq: GIA - 10 or more bedded 33,941 50,131 - Udhagama hospital 4 Nilgiris (Hq: GIA - Non-Residential - - - Udhagama School5 Salem GIA - 10 or more bedded 10,403 13,310 13,310 hospital 6 Salem GIA - Mobile 13,020 19,954 19,954 dispensary/multi service mobile units Total 98,098 146,040 79,713

Beneficiary under various Scholarship Schemes are as under:

Scheme Name: National Scholarship For Higher Education For St Students (Top Class) District Name F.Y 2023-24 F.Y 2024-25 F.Y 2025-26 Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Chennai 3 4 4 Coimbatore 1 1 2 Cuddalore 2 0 0 Dharmapuri 5 5 3 Kallakurichi 1 2 3 Krishnagiri 1 0 0 Nagapattinam 1 1 0 Namakkal 1 2 2 Perambalur 0 1 0 Salem 4 6 10 Thanjavur 0 0 1 The Nilgiris 3 1 3 Thiruvallur 0 2 2 Thiruvarur 1 0 0Tiruchirappalli 0 0 0 Tirupathur 0 1 1 Tiruvannamalai 3 1 2

Scheme Name: National Fellowship For Higher Education For St Students (NFST) District Name F.Y 2023-24 F.Y 2024-25 F.Y 2025-26 Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Ariyalur Chennai 1 0 0 Coimbatore 1 2 1 Cuddalore 2 2 1 Dharmapuri 1 2 1 Dindigul 0 0 0 Erode 0 0 0 Kallakurichi 0 0 0 Kanniyakumari 1 1 0 Madurai 1 0 0 Namakkal 4 5 7 Perambalur 1 1 0 Ranipet 0 0 0 Salem 4 4 2 The Nilgiris 0 0 1Thiruvallur 0 0 1 Thiruvarur 0 0 0 Tiruchirappalli 1 1 0 Tirupathur 0 1 1 Tiruvannamalai 1 0 0 Thoothukkudi 1 1 1 Vellore 2 0 0 Viluppuram 2 2 1 Virudhunagar 1 0 1 National Overseas Scholarship for ST students (NOS) Under the NOS (National Overseas Scholarship) scheme for ST students, no students from the State of Tamil Nadu were selected in the last three years.

The details of the major schemes being implemented by M/o Tribal Affairs are as under: i. 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.

ii. 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.

National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students: This a Central Sector Schemes implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The scheme has two sub-Schemes, viz:iii. a National Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students (earlier known as Top Class Scholarship Scheme): Under this Scheme, Scholarship is provided for pursuing Graduate/Post Graduate courses in the selected top-class Government and Non-Government Institutes in professional fields such as Management, Medicine, Engineering, Information Technology, Law etc. All the ST students, with annual parental income is not exceeding Rs.6.0 lakhs and studying in the 265 notified institutes by the Ministry, are eligible to receive scholarship. This scheme is started from year 2007 - 08.

b. National Fellowship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students: It is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs to grant scholarship to meritorious ST students for pursuing Ph.D in India after completion of Master degree. This scheme is started from year 2005-06. The total number of fresh fellowships for Ph.D every year will be 750. ST students with a minimum of 55% marks in Master Degree up to the age of 36 years are eligible to apply for fellowship under the Scheme. The value of fellowship is at par with UGC rates.

iv. National Overseas Scholarship for ST students: It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs under which scholarships are given to the meritorious Schedule Tribe (ST) students for pursuing higher education in top 1000 ranked (as per latest QS world ranking) Institutes/Universities abroad. This scheme is started from year 1954-55. The Scheme is implemented through the Indian Embassies/Missions abroad, Ministry of External Affairs. Twenty awards are given every year. ST students with annual family income not exceeding Rs.6.0 lakhs are eligible to apply for the Scholarship under the Scheme.

v. 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).

vi. 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).

vii. 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.viii. 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.

ix. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): The Scheme provides quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe students in remote and tribal areas with the objective of enabling them to access quality education comparable to the best institutions in the country. The schools provide modern educational infrastructure along with facilities for holistic development of tribal students. Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the Central Sector Scheme of EMRS for providing quality education to tribal students, both boys and girls, in their own environment; the EMRSs are to be at par with Navodaya Vidyalayas, with special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.

x. Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): The Mission promotes sustainable livelihoods of Scheduled Tribes through value addition, entrepreneurship development, marketing support and strengthening of tribal producer organisations, with emphasis on value chains based on Minor Forest Produce and other tribal products.

xi. Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK): Van Dhan Vikas Kendras are set up under the Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce scheme, implemented through TRIFED, for value addition and livelihood support to Minor Forest Produce gatherers.

xii. Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE): The Scheme supports Tribal Research Institutes for research, documentation, capacity building, preservation and promotion of tribal culture, awareness generation, information dissemination and evidence-based policy support.

xiii. Monitoring, Evaluation, Survey and Social Audit (MESSA): The Scheme supports monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment, surveys and social audit of programmes implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to strengthen evidence-based planning, policy formulation and effective implementation of tribal development initiatives.

xiv. Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes (VCF-ST): The Scheme is implemented through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) to provide concessional venture capital assistance to Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs for establishment and expansion of income- generating enterprises.

xv. 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 theeligible Scheduled Tribe communities.

These measures help to improve access to education, healthcare, livelihoods and connectivity for tribal communities in Tamil Nadu. These include PMS, PMS, NFHEST, NOS, EMRS and hostels for ST boys and girls to promote education. Healthcare services are strengthened through MMUs and Ayush Wellness Centres in PVTG habitations under PM-JANMAN, and through health and nutrition camps organised under DAJGUA. Livelihood support is provided through VDVKs, PMJVM, term loans, micro-credit and skill development through NSTFDC, DAPST, and convergence with MGNREGA, PM Vishwakarma and PM-KISAN under DAJGUA. Connectivity in tribal areas is being improved through provision of all- weather roads, electrification and telecom connectivity under PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA in convergence with the Ministry of Rural Development, State Governments and other implementing agencies.

(c): The physical and financial progress of tribal development schemes, including those in Tamil Nadu, is monitored on a continuous basis through the STCMIS portal for Ministry schemes, the PM-JANMAN Dashboard on the PM Gati Shakti portal for real-time habitation-wise monitoring in convergence with the concerned Ministries, regular review meetings with State Governments/UT Administrations on PM- JANMAN and DAJGUA, and periodic assessment of socio-economic indicators of Scheduled Tribes through the Population Census, NFHS and third-party evaluation studies commissioned by the Ministry to assess outcomes and improve programme implementation. Furher, the progress in the socio-economic conditions of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Tamil Nadu are as und Indicator ST in Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (Overall) Children under 5 – Stunted (%) 31.2 25.0 Children under 5 – Wasted (%) 20.6 14.6 Children under 5 – Underweight (%) 31.1 22.0 Women (15–49) – Thin (BMI <18.5) (%) 19.6 12.6 Women (15–49) – Overweight/Obese (BMI ≥25) (%) 30.2 40.4 Women having own mobile phone (%) 54.7 74.6 Women with bank account operated by themselves (%) 80.9 92.2 Women having access to money (%) 52.6 42.6

Source: NFHS -5 Report.

Comparative Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), 2025–26: Scheduled Tribes vis-à-vis Overall Population in

Tamil Nadu:

Level of School Education Tamil Nadu (ST) Tamil Nadu (Overall) Foundational (Pre-Primary to Class II) 58.6 55.4Preparatory (Class III to V) 112.7 89.5 Middle (Class VI to VIII) 115.0 94.2 Secondary (Class IX to XII) 91.3 91.4

Source: UDISE+ Report 2025-26 (NEP)

(d): Tribal development is undertaken as a continuing process that seeks to combine infrastructure creation with the preservation and promotion of tribal culture and identity. The initiatives in this regard

include:

(i) Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE): The Scheme supports the Tribal Research Institute of Tamil Nadu for research, documentation, preservation and promotion of tribal art, culture and traditional knowledge systems, along with awareness generation and evidence-based policy support.

(ii) Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and Adi Mahotsav: The Ministry observes Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on 15th November every year and organises Adi Mahotsav and similar events to showcase and promote tribal art, culture, cuisine and handicrafts, including those of Tamil Nadu's tribal communities.

(iii) Van Dhan Vikas Kendras: VDVKs support Minor Forest Produce-based livelihoods that are intrinsically linked to the traditional occupations and ecological knowledge of tribal communities, thereby supporting continuation of traditional livelihood practices alongside income generation.

(iv) EMRS: The preservation and promotion of tribal culture, language and traditional knowledge are integral components of the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Scheme. To achieve this, Tribal Corners have been established in EMRSs to showcase and preserve the culture, traditions, art, crafts and heritage of tribal communities. Cultural Programs, Meets and workshops are organized to provide a platform for students to learn about, appreciate and celebrate the diverse tribal cultures and traditions of the country. Further, Regional Language Teachers have been recruited in EMRSs enabling students to learn and preserve their regional languages.

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