Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a wide range of tribal welfare, education, mobility, and infrastructure projects, including new Eklavya Model Residential Schools, community centres.

About Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

• Launch: EMRS was launched in 1997–98 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) to provide free, quality, residential education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from Class VI to XII in remote and tribal-majority regions.
• AIm: The schools aim at holistic development, enabling ST children to access higher and professional education and better employment opportunities.
• Objective: To bridge the educational gap between tribal and non-tribal populations through CBSE-based education integrated with sports, skill development, and preservation of tribal culture and heritage.
• Evolution & Expansion
• • Initially funded under Article 275(1) grants to State Governments for school construction and recurring costs.
  • Revamped in 2018–19 to accelerate expansion: EMRS to be established in every block with >50% ST population and ≥20,000 tribal residents.
  • Current national target: 728 EMRS by 2026.
• Governance: Schools are established and managed by National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous body under MoTA.

Key Features of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

• Fully residential, co-educational schools, designed on the model of Navodaya Vidyalayas with a tribal-centric focus.
• Provide CBSE-based education free of cost, including boarding, uniforms, books, and amenities.
• Each school is designed for 480 students, maintaining gender parity.
• Admission flexibility: Up to 10% seats may be allotted to non-ST students.
• Sports inclusion: 20% reservation for outstanding ST sportspersons under the sports quota.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

Supporting Initiatives

• Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS):
  • Proposed in areas with ≥90% ST population, offering day-schooling options for students who do not require residential facilities.
• Centers of Excellence for Sports (CoE for Sports):
  • Dedicated state-of-the-art sports hubs supported in each State with:
    • One individual sport + one team sport specialization
    • Scientific training, boarding, equipment, insurance & medical support as per Sports Authority of India norms
  • Aim: Nurture high-performing tribal athletes and enhance sports-based career opportunities.

DOWNLOAD PDF