Tribal Welfare Measures in Budget 2025-26 | 07 Feb 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

The Union Budget 2025-26 has increased the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' allocation by 45.79% from 2024, emphasizing education, infrastructure, and socio-economic development.  

What are the Key Highlights of Union Budget 2025-26 for Tribal Welfare? 

  • Increased Budgetary Allocation: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) received Rs 14,925.81 crore in Budget 2025-26, a 45.79% increase from 2024-25. 
    • The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment received Rs 13,611 crore (35.75% increase). 
    • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) focuses on the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes (STs), while the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) works for the welfare of SCs, STs, OBCs, PwDs, the elderly, and the transgender community. 
  • Expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): The Budget 2025-26 allocates Rs 7,088.60 crore for EMRS, with the aim to operationalize 728 schools by March 2026, benefiting 3.5 lakh tribal students with quality education and residential facilities. 
  • DA-JGUA: The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA), originally named the PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA) received Rs 2,000 crore, a fourfold increase from Rs 500 crore, to enhance infrastructure, education, and livelihoods in tribal regions. 
  • Expediting PM-JANMAN: The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) allocation has doubled to Rs 300 crore in Budget 2025-26 to enhance healthcare, education, and livelihoods for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).  
    • To expedite the PM-JANMAN Housing Scheme, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs revised the approval process for PM-AWAS homes, aiming for 4.90 lakh houses for PVTGs.  

Tribes_in_India

What are the Various Government Initiatives Related to Tribals? 

What are the Challenges Faced by Tribes in India? 

Click to Read: Problems Faced By Tribes in India 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims

Q. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? 

(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change  

(b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj  

(c) Ministry of Rural Development  

(d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs  

Ans: (d) 

Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019) 

  1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory. 
  2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. 
  3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 
  4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?  

(a) 1, 2 and 3  

(b) 2, 3 and 4  

(c) 1, 2 and 4  

(d) 1, 3 and 4  

Ans: (c)