Media
Ministry of Tribal Affairs Launches “RISA: Timeless Tribal” - A Premium Signature Brand
- March 18, 2026
Source: Press Information Bureau
In a pathbreaking initiative to bring India’s rich tribal heritage to the forefront of global fashion and lifestyle, the Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram launched a dedicated premium signature brand, “RISA: Timeless Tribal,” on 18th March 2026 at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi in the august presence of Smt. Savitri Thakur, Hon’ble MoS Women and Child Development, Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary of Tribal Affairs, Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary of Tribal Affairs, Shri M. Rajamurugan, MD TRIFED, and renowned designer Shri Manish Tripathi.
The premium signature brand, RISA, aims to move with an ambitious vision to preserve tribal looms and craft traditions, and to draw focus and generate interest among discerning consumers towards tribal fabric/apparel, embroideries and handicrafts. The initiative aims to create a unique brand identity for tribal products, ensuring that the intricate craftsmanship of India’s ethnic communities finds its rightful place in premium domestic and international markets. RISA is designed to bridge the gap between traditional techniques and contemporary demand, in the first phase the project will encompasses 10 clusters covering 5 tribal weaves, 2 embroideries and 3 crafts, as noted by N. S. Raji, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
India–Vietnam Ministerial Meeting Deepens Cooperation in Tribal and Ethnic Development
- March 18, 2026
Source: Press Information Bureau
A high-level bilateral meeting between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, was convened 18 March 2026 in New Delhi, to further advance cooperation in the field of tribal and ethnic development. The Ministerial meeting was co-chaired by Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, and Hon’ble Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Vietnam, H.E. Dao Ngoc Dung, marking a significant step in elevating the ongoing bilateral engagement to the leadership level.
The discussions built upon the outcomes of the earlier meeting between senior officials, led by Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and H.E. Y Thong, Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Vietnam, where both sides exchanged perspectives on policy frameworks, development strategies, and best practices concerning tribal and ethnic communities, thereby laying a strong foundation for enhanced institutional collaboration.
Hon’ble Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram Inaugurates Tribes Art Fest 2026 Featuring Over 30 Tribal Artforms, 75 Tribal Artists and 1,000 Artworks
- March 02, 2026
Source: Press Information Bureau
The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, 02 March 2026 inaugurated the 12-day festival at Travancore Palace, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to preservation of tribal heritage alongside structured economic empowerment of tribal communities.
The exhibition features art traditions such as Warli (Maharashtra), Gond (Madhya Pradesh), Bhil (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat), Dokra (West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha), Sohrai (Jharkhand), Koya (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh), Kurumba (Tamil Nadu), Saura (Odisha), Bodo (Assam and North-East), Oraon (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh), Mandana (Rajasthan, MP), Godna (Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh), bamboo crafts from the North-East and several others, demonstrating both regional diversity and civilisational continuity.
Recognising that tribal art embodies sustainability and harmony, values critical for modern India, the festival also features contemporary expressions and collaborative works between tribal and contemporary artists, including strong participation from the North-East.
Hon’ble Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram Inaugurates Tribes Art Fest 2026 Featuring Over 30 Tribal Artforms, 75 Tribal Artists and 1,000 Artworks
- March 02, 2026
Source: Press Information Bureau
The exhibition features art traditions such as Warli (Maharashtra), Gond (Madhya Pradesh), Bhil (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat), Dokra (West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha), Sohrai (Jharkhand), Koya (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh), Kurumba (Tamil Nadu), Saura (Odisha), Bodo (Assam and North-East), Oraon (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh), Mandana (Rajasthan, MP), Godna (Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh), bamboo crafts from the North-East and several others, demonstrating both regional diversity and civilisational continuity. Recognising that tribal art embodies sustainability and harmony, values critical for modern India, the festival also features contemporary expressions and collaborative works between tribal and contemporary artists, including strong participation from the North-East.
Beyond exhibition, TAF includes panel discussions on themes such as Tribal Art Revival & Sustainable Futures, Tribal Art in Contemporary Spaces, and Livelihoods & Market Linkages. The programme also includes participatory workshops, storytelling through tribal arts, illustrated talks and live demonstrations. Over 100 tribal students pursuing art from across India are being provided curated walkthroughs, mentorship sessions with senior tribal artists, and exposure to live creative processes.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs Showcases AI-Driven Tribal Development Initiatives at India AI Impact Summit 2026
- February 17, 2026
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs participated in the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The ministry dedicated exhibition stall, themed “AI for Inclusive & Empowered Tribal Communities,” to present a cohesive digital ecosystem designed to strengthen governance delivery, preserve cultural heritage, and bridge digital divides across tribal regions. Recognising the geographic dispersion and socio-cultural diversity of tribal populations, the Ministry has adopted a community-driven model integrated with emerging AI tools. Engagement with national and global AI practitioners at the Summit is expected to further refine and expand these interventions.
North Eastern Region Agri-Commodity e-Connect (NERACE) app
- February 05, 2026
Source: Press Information Bureau
The NE-RACE platform supports buyer–seller matchmaking and provides logistics-related guidance through a multi-lingual helpdesk, field-level support, and State Coordinators, who assist in onboarding, resolving operational issues, and facilitating communication. These measures aim to strengthen digital market access and improve market preparedness of farmers in Sikkim.
Strengthen Agro-forestry and Bamboo based Economic Clusters in NER
- February 04, 2026
Source: Press Information Bureau
As per Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, to promote agroforestry, the Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) since 2023-24. The scheme focuses on establishing and strengthening nurseries and supplying Quality Planting Material including seeds, seedlings, clones, hybrids, and improved varieties to farmers for increasing tree cover on farmlands. It is implemented by States/UTs across the country, including those in the North Eastern Region. In Assam, assistance has been provided for nursery creation, training, and free sapling distribution including those in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.
NBA Releases â‚ą6.2 Crore as Access and Benefit Sharing funds to beneficiaries in Five States
- December 11, 2025
Source: Press Information Bureau
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released â‚ą6.2 crore to beneficiaries on 11.12.2025 under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It will support the conservation of the endangered Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) and strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and forest- dependent communities in five states.
The ABS funds have been released to State Forest Departments, State Biodiversity Boards, and Red Sanders growers, who continue to play a pivotal role in protecting this endemic and globally valued species. The latest disbursement supports the sustained conservation and responsible utilisation of Red Sanders. Of the newly released â‚ą6.2 crore, â‚ą17.8 lakh will go to farmers in Telangana and â‚ą1.1 crore to farmers in Andhra Pradesh. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department will receive â‚ą2.98 crore, the Karnataka Forest Department will get â‚ą1.05 crore, the Maharashtra Forest Department will receive â‚ą69.2 lakh, and the Telangana Forest Department will receive â‚ą5.8 lakh. In addition, â‚ą16.0 lakh is shared amongst the respective state biodiversity boards.
COP with record indigenous participation secures territorial protection and mechanisms to strengthen the agenda
- December 04, 2025
Source: UNFCCC, COP30 Brasil 2025
The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Pará, hosted at least 5,000 Indigenous individuals who participated in debates in various capacities, according to the Indigenous movement in dialogue with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (Ministério dos Povos Indígenas/ MPI). The Ministry also reported that approximately 3,500 members of the original population were accommodated at the Aldeia COP (COP Village), a large structure set up at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA).
Indigenous groups led the conference agenda through a variety of actions —including debates with negotiators in the Blue Zone, the unprecedented Peoples' Summit, and the Circle of Peoples Pavilion in the Green Zone, presided over by Minister of Indigenous Peoples Ms. Sonia Guajajara. Ms. Guajajara stressed that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's establishment of the MPI granted Indigenous autonomy in several areas and was pivotal in ensuring a robust Indigenous presence at the COP.
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.