NESTS organizes two-day workshop on Building Quality Infrastructure for Tribal Education

• November 24, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) successfully organized a two-day workshop on “Building Quality Infrastructure for Tribal Education” on 21-22 November 2025 at Akashvani Bhawan, New Delhi. The workshop is part of the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure for tribal communities through Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

The sessions covered key technical areas such as project planning and monitoring, geotechnical investigations, material testing, earthwork, and reinforcement practices specific to tribal areas. Detailed discussions were held on architectural layouts, planning frameworks, and region-specific construction challenges. Participants highlighted the importance of customizing construction approaches to the geographical and cultural contexts of tribal communities to ensure long-term sustainability.

"Indigenous Peoples remind us that the health of our lands, waters, and skies is inseparable from the health of our communities, our economies, and our shared future."

• November 13, 2025

Source: UN News

Mr Simon Stiell, Secretary, UN Climate Change Executive stated Indigenous Peoples remind us that the health of our lands, waters, and skies are inseparable from the health of our communities, our economies, and our shared future during COP30 Presidency Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples in Belém, Brazil, on 13 November 2025. He added this is the spirit we must carry through COP30: to turn credible commitments into holistic delivery, and through that delivery, achieve true transformation. Across the UNFCCC process, Parties have recognised the rights, values, and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples. But too often, these words have not translated into lived experience. Our task is to move from citation to application – ensuring that Indigenous worldviews and leadership help shape how climate action is designed, implemented, and measured.

Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates North Eastern Science & Technology (NEST) Cluster and lays foundation stone for â‚ą635 crore development projects in Assam

• November 03, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the North Eastern Science & Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT Guwahati and laid the foundation stone for transformative development projects worth â‚ą635 crore across Assam.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Government of Assam, representatives of educational institutions, and members of the scientific and entrepreneurial community.
The Minister laid the foundation stone for projects totalling â‚ą635 crore, aimed at catalysing growth, connectivity, and opportunity across Assam — strengthening its role as the gateway to Southeast Asia.

Key projects include:

- Infrastructure Development of 65 New Secondary School Buildings – â‚ą455 Cr

- Upgradation of Chayagaon–Ukium Road – â‚ą102.69 Cr

- RCC Bridge at Silonijan–Dhansiri Par Ghat – â‚ą20.59 Cr

- Development of Industrial Estate at Ramphalbil (Kokrajhar) – â‚ą14.40 Cr

- Development of Industrial Estate at Lakhibazar (Baksa) – â‚ą18.40 Cr

Launch of ''Indigenous Knowledge, Ancestral Places: Navigating Change in UNESCO Designated Sites''

• October 16, 2025

Source: UNESCO

UNESCO launched a flagship publication highlighting Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems and perspectives within UNESCO Global Geoparks, Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage sites.

The book, accompanied by an online resource, compiles 21 testimonials—environmental, cultural, philosophical, and intellectual expressions of Indigenous knowledge, values, practices, cosmologies, and governance systems. These accounts shine a light on the people who have intimately known, cared for, and evolved alongside some of the world’s most iconic sites for generations.  

Completion of Adi Sewa Parv – Historic Adoption of Tribal Village Vision 2030 in Tribal-Dominated Villages & Tolas

• October 03, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Government of India has declared 15th November 2024 to 15th November 2025 as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.
As part of this historic celebration, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, envisaged as the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership mission, reaching over 11.5 crore tribal citizens across 1 lakh villages & tolas in 30 States/UTs.

Key Features of the Tribal Village Vision 2030 Declaration:

Community-Led Development: Villagers actively participated in Transect Walks, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), and Gap Analysis to identify local needs and opportunities.

Village-Level Priorities: Each declaration outlines actionable goals in education, health, livelihood, social and financial inclusion, and infrastructure.

Integration with Government Schemes: Actions were mapped under PM JANMAN, Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan 2.0, and other central and state programmes.

Adi Yuva Fellowship & Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Launched to Empower Tribal Youth Across India

• September 23, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations in India, today launched the Adi Yuva Fellowship and the Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Programme under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, a flagship initiative envisioned as the world’s largest tribal grassroots leadership movement. It aims to directly engage 11 crore citizens across one lakh tribal-dominated villages in 550 districts of 30 States and Union Territories. Rooted in the principles of responsive, accountable, and citizen-centric governance, the Abhiyan seeks to transform governance into a people’s movement and serve as a foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Adi Yuva Fellowship

The Adi Yuva Fellowship, supported by UN India, is a first-of-its-kind programme designed to empower tribal youth through structured learning, mentorship, and career development.

Adi Karmayogi Volunteers

The Adi Karmayogi Volunteers initiative, supported by UNFPA, will equip tribal youth to act as catalysts for grassroots change and strengthen last-mile service delivery in tribal regions.

Youth for Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan in IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs and Top Institutions

• September 22, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs formally inaugurated the Adi Karmayogi Student Chapters at prestigious institutions such as IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs, and other top-class universities, marking the beginning of a nationwide youth-led movement to foster leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social development among tribal students. The Bhagwan Birsa Munda Cell at IIT Delhi will serve as the nodal hub for this pan-India programme. The objectives of the Student Chapters include: Empower Youth – Inspire students to become leaders, innovators, and social change agents. Foster Innovation & Technology – Encourage tech-driven and indigenous solutions for tribal development. Promote Entrepreneurship – Enable access to the â‚ą50 Crore Venture Capital Fund for tribal-led startups. Strengthen Education – Support EMRS and Ashram Schools through mentorship to reduce dropouts and improve learning outcomes. Village Development & Planning – Guide students in preparing SWOT analyses, Vision 2030 plans, and actionable development strategies, etc.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Launches Beta Version of “Adi Sanskriti” – A Digital Learning Platform for Tribal Artforms

• September 10, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

Bridging tradition with technology, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs unveiled the Beta Version of Adi Sanskriti a pioneering digital learning platform for tribal artforms, preserving heritage, enabling livelihoods, and connecting India’s tribal communities with the world, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during the National Conference on Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan. The platform was formally launched by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, unveiling a new digital era for the preservation and promotion of tribal culture and heritage.

Adi Sanskriti is envisioned as the world’s first Digital University to preserve and promote the culture and traditional knowledge of tribal communities, and an online marketplace for the world to access products made by tribal artisans. The platform integrates three major components:

Adi Vishwavidyalaya (Digital Tribal Art Academy): Currently offering 45 immersive courses on tribal dance, painting, crafts, music, and folklore.
 
Adi Sampada (Socio-Cultural Repository): A collection of over 5,000 curated documents across five themes, covering paintings, dance, clothing & textiles, artefacts and livelihood.
Adi Haat (Online marketplace): Currently linked with TRIFED, this will evolve into a dedicated online marketplace for tribal artisans, enabling sustainable livelihoods and direct consumer access.

MoU signed between NSTFDC & Coal India to Empower 30,000 Tribal Students with Digital Learning, Mentorship & Better Infrastructure in EMRS

• September 09, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

In a landmark initiative, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Coal India Limited (CIL) have joined hands for the upgradation of infrastructure and capacity building in 76 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.

A MoU was signed on 09 September 2025 in New Delhi between CIL and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a Section 8 company under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The objectives of the project are:

Bridging the digital divide: Establishment of computer labs to strengthen digital learning and open new opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Promoting menstrual health & hygiene: Enhanced retention and performance of girl students.

Career counselling & mentorship: Providing tribal students with access to guidance and opportunities at par with their urban counterparts.

Overall, more than 30,000 tribal students are expected to benefit from this initiative, marking a significant step towards inclusive, technology-driven, and holistic education for tribal youth.
 

National Conference on Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan with Project Officers of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) to Chart Future of Tribal Development

• September 08, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is organizing the National Conference on Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan with Project Officers of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) on 9–10 September 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Over two days, participants will deliberate on key flagship initiatives, including:

Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan: The world’s largest grassroots tribal leadership programme, mobilizing 20 lakh change leaders across 1 lakh villages to act as catalysts of social transformation.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: A convergence mission designed to saturate essential services, schemes, and infrastructure in tribal villages through coordinated planning.

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN): A focused initiative to ensure housing, health, education, water, electrification, and livelihoods for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Key Sessions and Knowledge Exchange

The conference agenda includes:

Discussions on the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and strengthening community forest governance.
State-level presentations on progress and innovations under PM-JANMAN.
Peer-to-peer learning sessions on Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, highlighting grassroots leadership and community mobilization models.
Showcasing best practices in participatory village planning, digital inclusion, women’s leadership, and convergence-driven development.