Ministry of Tribal Affairs

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is entrusted with the overall policy, planning, and coordination of programmes for the development of Scheduled Tribes. It functions as the nodal ministry for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, with responsibilities including tribal welfare planning, project formulation, scholarships for ST students, and matters relating to the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes on forest lands. 

To fulfil its wide mandate, the Ministry follows a multi-sectoral approach spanning education, health, economic empowerment, infrastructure, cultural preservation, and governance reforms. Its programmes supplement the efforts of other Central Ministries, State Governments, and voluntary organisations to fill critical gaps in tribal development. 

Key initiatives include:

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) – Launched in 2018-19, this scheme provides quality education to tribal students, focusing on their academic, cultural, and skill development. 
• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) – Supports saturation of essential services and infrastructure in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts.
• Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 implementation – Recognises the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes over forest land and resources.

The Ministry also oversees key bodies such as the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), which provides market access for tribal produce, and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), which extends concessional financial assistance for the economic upliftment of tribal communities.