Why in news?
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on September 9, 2025, between Coal India Limited (CIL) and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) to empower tribal students enrolled in EMRS. 

• The initiative focuses on enhancing digital access, career mentorship, menstrual hygiene, and teacher capacity building for tribal youth across the country.
• This project aims to bridge gaps in learning, health, and livelihoods of tribal communities around mining areas, targeting over 30,000 tribal students from EMRS.

About Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) 
EMRS is centre’s initiative focused on providing quality residential education chiefly to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote and tribal areas. These schools span from Class VI to Class XII and offer free education, including boarding and lodging.
 
Overview and Objectives

• EMRSs were launched in 1997-98 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to bridge the educational gap between tribal and non-tribal populations.
• The objective is to provide holistic development encompassing academics, sports, culture, and skill training, empowering students to become change agents in their communities.
• The schools emphasize preservation of local art and culture along with modern education, providing a stress-free and technology-enabled learning environment.

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