Lok Sabha Question No. 1999 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Status of Welfare Schemes for STs
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1999

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025

## STATUS OF WELFARE SCHEMES FOR STS

## 1999. SHRI. K. RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the current status of implementation of welfare schemes for Scheduled Tribes and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised under major schemes such as the Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (SCA to TSP) and Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana during the last three years;
- (c)  whether the Government is aware of continuing issues of malnutrition, land alienation and inadequate  access  to  healthcare  and  education  among  Scheduled  Tribes  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is aware of the reasons for delays in addressing these issues despite repeated requests from State Governments, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps the Government proposes to take to ensure timely intervention and targeted support for tribal welfare?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a): NITI Aayog (DMEO) has conducted an Evaluation Study of Centrally Sponsored Schemes under Package 9, analysing their performance during the period FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 which covered the following Centrally Sponsored schemes under 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

The Ministry is also undertaking evaluation of the following Central Sector schemes:

1. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
2. National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students
3. 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

(b): The details of funds allocated, released and utilised under major schemes such as the Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (SCA to TSP) and Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana during the last three years is given at Annexure I .

(c) to (e): Through various surveys, developmental gaps have been identified between Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the general population. As per NFHS 5 (2019-21), Infant mortality rate are higher among STs (41.6) than in the general population (35.2). As per NFHS 5 (2019-21), prevalence of stunting,  wasting  and  being  underweight  is  40.9%,  23.2%  and  39.5%  for  ST  children  in comparison to 35.5%, 19.3% and 32.1% in general population respectively. As per Annual Report of PLFS 2023-24 , the overall literacy rate of STs is 73.4% compared to 80.9% in the general population.

Government  is  implementing  Development  Action  Plan  for  Scheduled  Tribes  (DAPST)  as  a strategy  for  the  development  of  Scheduled  Tribes  and  areas  having  tribal  concentration  in  the country. Besides Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 41 Ministries/Departments are mandated to allocate certain percentage of their total scheme budget every year for tribal development under DAPST to bridge the developmental gaps between Scheduled Tribes (STs) and non-ST populations and for various  tribal  development  projects  relating  to  education,  health,  agriculture,  irrigation,  roads, housing,  electrification,  employment  generation,  skill  development,  etc.  Schemes  along-with funds allocated by the obligated Ministries/Departments for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes are given  at  Statement  10B  of  Expenditure  Profile  of  Union  Budget  document  in  the  link https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/stat10b.pdf.

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 out of their own funds 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 are given at Annexure II.

Annexure referred to in reply to part (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1999 for 11.12.2025 by Shri. K. Radhakrishnan regarding 'Status of welfare schemes for STs'

Scheme-wise Budget Expenditure and Revised allocation of major schemes of Ministry of Tribal Affairs during last three years.

(Rs. in Crore)

|                                      | S.No.Name of Scheme                                                                                         | 2022- 23                             | 2023- 24                             | 2024-25                              |
|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
|                                      | S.No.Name of Scheme                                                                                         | Exp.                                 | Exp.                                 | RE                                   |
| 1                                    | Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)                                                                    | 1999.32 2447.06 4748.92              | 1999.32 2447.06 4748.92              | 1999.32 2447.06 4748.92              |
| 2                                    | Grant under proviso to Article 275(1) of the Constitution                                                   | 976.5                                | 1172.1                               | 1170.57                              |
|                                      | PM Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojna                                                                                   | PM Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojna            | PM Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojna            | PM Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojna            |
| 3                                    | Pre-Matric Scholarship for STs                                                                              | 357.3                                | 308.6                                | 200                                  |
| 4                                    | Post Matric Scholarship for STs                                                                             | 1965                                 | 2668.83                              | 2462.68                              |
| 5                                    | Support to Tribal Research Institutes                                                                       | 12.4                                 | 43.53                                | 90                                   |
| 6                                    | Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)                                                | 137.18                               | --                                   | 74.55                                |
| 7                                    | Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme - SCA to TSS/ Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY) | 1354.37                              | 149.93                               | 127.51                               |
| 8                                    | Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)                                               | --                                   | 100                                  | 150                                  |
| 9                                    | Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utakarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA)                                                        | --                                   | --                                   | 500                                  |
|                                      | National Tribal Welfare Programme                                                                           | National Tribal Welfare Programme    | National Tribal Welfare Programme    | National Tribal Welfare Programme    |
| 10                                   | Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of STs                                               | 109.25                               | 149.95                               | 160                                  |
| 11                                   | Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)                                                              | 117.12                               | 137.1                                | 152.32                               |
| 12                                   | Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE)                                  | 15.01                                | 32.04                                | 32                                   |
| 13                                   | National Fellowship &Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students                                        | 145                                  | 230                                  | 240                                  |
| 14                                   | National Overseas Scholarship Scheme                                                                        | 4                                    | 7                                    | 6                                    |
| 15                                   | Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)                                               | --                                   | 9.97                                 | 10                                   |
| GRAND TOTAL 7192.45 7456.11 10124.55 | GRAND TOTAL 7192.45 7456.11 10124.55                                                                        | GRAND TOTAL 7192.45 7456.11 10124.55 | GRAND TOTAL 7192.45 7456.11 10124.55 | GRAND TOTAL 7192.45 7456.11 10124.55 |

Source: Union Budget

Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1999 for 11.12.2025 by Shri. K. Radhakrishnan regarding 'Status of welfare schemes for STs'

Brief details of major schemes/programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the country:

(i) Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Hon'ble PM launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram  Utkarsh  Abhiyan  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, improve access to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and providing 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 total budgetary outlay of Rs.79,156 Cr (Central share: ₹56,333 Cr and State share: ₹22,823 Cr).

(ii) Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): Government has launched  Pradhan  Mantri  Janjati  Adivasi  Nyaya  Maha  Abhiyan  (PM-JANMAN)  on  15th November 2023, which is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. The mission with financial outlay of around Rs.24,000 Crore aims to saturate PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and  nutrition,  road  and  telecom  connectivity,  electrification  of  un-electrified  households  and sustainable livelihood opportunities in time bound manner in 3 years.

(iii)  Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), which has been designed through  the  merger  of  two  existing  schemes  for  the  promotion  of  tribal  livelihood,  i.e., 'Mechanism  for  Marketing  of  Minor  Forest  Produce  (MFP)  through  Minimum  Support  Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP' and 'Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce'.

The scheme envisages fixation and declaration of Minimum Support Price for the selected MFP. Procurement and Marketing operation at pre-fixed MSP will be undertaken by the designated State Agencies in the event of the prevailing market price of the particular MFP item falling below the stipulated MSP. Simultaneously other medium and long-term issues like sustainable collection, value  addition,  infrastructure  development,  knowledge  base  expansion  of  MFP  and  market intelligence development will also be addressed.

The Ministry is implementing the scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)' through  Tribal  Co-operative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India  (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 is provided to  the  State  Governments for setting up of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) which are the centres of value addition activities of MFPs/Non-MFPs.

(iv) 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.

(v) 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.

(vi)  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.

(vii)  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.

(viii) 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.

(ix)  National Overseas Scholarships for ST Candidates: The  Scheme provides for financial assistance to selected students to pursue Post Graduation, PhD & Post-Doctoral study abroad.  A total of 20 awards are given every year.  Of these, 17 awards are for STs and 3 awards for students belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).  Parental/family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum.

## (x) National Fellowship &Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students:

(a) National Scholarship- (Top class) Scheme [Graduate level]: The objective of the scheme is to encourage meritorious ST students for pursuing studies in prescribed courses in any of the 265 institutions of excellence across the country like IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, NIITs, etc. identified by the Ministry. Family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.6.00 lakhs per annum. Scholarship amount includes tuition fees, living expenses and allowances for books and computer.

(b) National Fellowship for ST students: 750 fellowships are provided to ST students each year for pursing higher studies in India for MPhil and PhD. Fellowship is granted as per UGC norms.

(xi)  Support  to  Tribal  Research  Institutes  (TRIs): Ministry  extends  support  to  the  State Governments through the Scheme to set up new TRIs where it didn't  exist and to strengthen functioning of existing TRIs to carry out its core responsibility towards Research  & Documentations, Training and capacity building, promotion of rich tribal heritage etc. To preserve tribal art and culture, financial assistance is provided to TRI's to carry out various activities to preserve  and  promote  tribal  culture  and  heritage  across  the  country  through  research  and documentation,  maintenance  and  preservation  of  art  &  artefacts,  setting  up  of  tribal  museum, exchange visits for the tribals to other parts of the State, organizing tribal festivals etc. Funding under this Scheme is 100% grant-in-aid by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the TRIs on need basis with the approval of Apex Committee.

*****