TALASH Initiative: NESTS & UNICEF Launch Life Skills Hub for Tribal Students

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July 11, 2025

TALASH Initiative: NESTS & UNICEF Launch Life Skills Hub for Tribal Students

Recently, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) in partnership with UNICEF India launched TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub).

About TALASH Initiative

  • Refers: TALASH is a national- program to support the all-round development of students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). 
    • To improve both the education and personal growth of tribal students across India.
  • Focus: Search for self-awareness, life skills, and career clarity among tribal youth.
  • Target: 1.38 lakh+ tribal students across 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
  • Vision & Goals:
    • Foster self-discovery and career planning among tribal youth.
    • Enhance personal growth, self-confidence, and life-readiness.
    • Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focus on holistic and inclusive education.

Key Components of TALASH

Psychometric Assessments
  • Based on NCERT’s ‘Tamanna’ initiative.
  • Identifies students’ strengths, interests, and aptitudes.
  • Generates Career Cards with personalized career suggestions.
Career Counselling
  • Provides informed guidance to help students align goals with abilities.
  • Assists in making strategic educational and career decisions.
Life Skills & Self-Esteem Modules
  • Develops skills like problem-solving, emotional regulation, and communication.
  • Focuses on building confidence, resilience, and self-worth.
E-Learning for Teachers
  • A dedicated digital portal offering training and mentoring tools.
  • Enables teachers to support students in academic and emotional growth.

Implementation Strategy

  • Phased national rollout starting with select cities to ensure smooth implementation.
  • 189 teachers from 75 EMRSs already trained as part of capacity-building.
  • Target: Full implementation in all EMRSs by the end of 2025.

Significance

  • First-of-its-kind initiative focused exclusively on tribal students.
  • Uses technology and evidence-based tools to ensure reach even in remote areas.
  • Strengthens inclusive, equitable, and future-ready education systems.
  • Supports India’s broader aim of bridging the tribal education gap.

Complementary Initiatives & Strategic Partnerships
Exam Coaching & Career Support
  • MoU with Ex-Navodayan Foundation:
    • Provides coaching for IIT-JEE and NEET aspirants.
    • Builds on the achievement that 600+ EMRS students have already cleared these national-level exams.
  • MoU with Tata Motors:
    • Offers skill development and employment support for Class 12 EMRS graduates.
    • Aims to bridge the gap between education and livelihood.

Educator Empowerment

  • Dedicated digital portal for teacher training and mentoring.
  • Encourages a supportive academic environment through resource sharing and e-learning.
Adi Karmyogi Programme (Parallel Initiative)
  • Also launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • Objective: Build a cadre of motivated field officers with a citizen-centric and delivery-focused approach.
  • Targets capacity-building for 20 lakh tribal stakeholders.
  • Will train:
    • 180 State-level trainers
    • 3,000+ District-level trainers
    • 15,000+ Block-level trainers

Institutional Background

  • NESTS: An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, established in 2019 to manage Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
  • UNICEF: A global agency working in 190+ countries, focusing on education, health, and child protection in vulnerable communities.
    • Establishment: In 1946, in the aftermath of World War II.
    • Honour Received: Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965, the Indira Gandhi Prize in 1989, and the Princess of Asturias Award in 2006.
    • Reports Publishes: The State of the World’s Children, The State of the World’s Children reports.
    • Headquarters: New York City, USA

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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