Eklavya Model Residential Schools
Why in News?
In a high-level review on May 5, 2026, the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs confirmed that 728 EMRSs have now been sanctioned, with 499 schools already functional across India.
Core Objective
- Focus: Provide high-quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas.
- Parity: Developed to be on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas.
- Holistic Growth: Emphasis on academic excellence, sports, and preserving local tribal art and culture.
Key Features
- Curriculum: Follows the CBSE curriculum with English as the medium of instruction.
- Capacity: Each school accommodates 480 students (equal number of boys and girls) from Class VI to XII.
- Facilities: Fully residential campuses typically spread over 15 acres, featuring labs, hostels, playgrounds, and staff quarters.
- Free Education: All expenses—including tuition, boarding, uniforms, and books—are covered by the Central Government.
Expansion Criteria (Revamped 2018-19)
Under the current mandate, every block that meets the following criteria must have an EMRS:
- More than 50% ST population.
- At least 20,000 tribal persons (as per 2011 Census).
Governance & Management
- Ministry: Functioning under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- Implementing Agency: Managed by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous body that ensures uniform standards across all states.
Infrastructure & Funding
- Construction Grants: Enhanced to ₹37.80 crore for plain areas and ₹48 crore for hilly or Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected regions.
- Recurring Grants: The government provides approximately ₹1.09 lakh per student per annum for school operations.
- Centre of Excellence (CoE): The scheme includes 15 specialized Centres of Excellence for Sports to train tribal athletes for national and international competitions.
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