Eklavya Model Schools Context: Over one-third of Eklavya schools remain non-functional due to land issues, prompting the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment advised the Ministry of Tribal Affairs not to sanction new schools until land is secured. About Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) It is a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in 1998 to provide free, quality residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from Class VI to XII in remote and tribal-dominated areas. Objective: To bridge the educational gap between tribal and non-tribal populations by offering CBSE-based instruction integrated with holistic development, including sports, culture, and skill training. Revamp & Expansion: The scheme was revamped in 2018–19 to expand coverage. EMRSs are now to be established in blocks with more that 50% ST population and with at least 20,000 tribal persons with a target of 728 schools by 2026. EMRSs are implemented and managed by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous body under MoTA. Other Initiatives for Tribal Education Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Vocational Training Centres National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Post-Matric Scholarships
