The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has witnessed a decade of transformative growth, backed by a significant expansion in its financial allocation and outreach. From 2013-14 to 2025-26, the ministry’s budget surged by over 200%, rising from ₹4,296 crore to ₹14,926 crore. This rise in funding has enabled wide-ranging initiatives targeting the holistic development of tribal communities across India.
Speaking at the Aadi Mahotsav in February 2025, President Droupadi Murmu praised the decade’s achievements, stating that the real progress of the nation depends on the progress of its tribal society. Her remarks reflected the government’s inclusive development philosophy, anchored in the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”
One of the flagship initiatives under the ministry, the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, has delivered measurable results. By March 31, 2024, the scheme facilitated the construction of 1,88,696 pucca houses, laid 3,001 km of roads, and ensured piped water supply to 2,92,941 households. In addition, 1,24,016 households were electrified, 1,050 Anganwadi centres and 100 hostels were made functional, and 502 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras were set up. To improve connectivity in remote regions, 227 mobile towers were installed, covering 559 villages, while 5,067 households received approvals under the New Solar Power Scheme.
The PM Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana sanctioned development programmes in 15,989 villages, with a disbursement of ₹2,283.31 crore by the end of March 2024. Under the Forest Rights Act, nearly 23.88 lakh individual titles were distributed till March 2025, furthering the land rights of tribal communities.
Financial support for non-governmental organisations has also been scaled up. As of March 1, 2025, 185 NGOs were implementing 310 projects, benefiting 9.35 lakh individuals. The Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes witnessed a fivefold jump in allocation- from ₹24,598 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1.07 lakh crore in 2023-24. As of July 21, 2025, ₹1.27 lakh crore had been allocated under the Scheduled Tribe Component for 204 central schemes.
In the education sector, tribal students have benefited through a host of scholarship and fellowship schemes. Between 2019-20 and 2024-25, more than 1.02 crore students received assistance under the Post Matric Scholarship scheme. The Pre Matric Scholarship scheme reached 54.41 lakh students during the same period. The Top Class Education Scheme supported 22,000 students and saw a 402% increase in disbursements- from ₹19 crore to ₹95 crore. The National Fellowship Scheme aided 16,000 PhD scholars, with its financial support rising from ₹81 crore to ₹145 crore, marking a 78% increase.
Efforts to expand residential education infrastructure have also gathered momentum. A total of 346 Eklavya Model Residential Schools are now functional, enrolling 1.38 lakh students. The government has already released ₹6,841.8 crore towards achieving the target of 722 such schools.
The promotion of tribal entrepreneurship and livelihood received a boost with the sanctioning of 4,465 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras across 29 states and union territories. Of these, 2,507 are already operational. A total of ₹609.32 crore has been sanctioned to support these centres, which aim to enhance tribal income through value addition in forest produce.
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has widened its retail footprint with 118 TRIBES INDIA outlets, backed by a network of 3,069 empaneled tribal suppliers and 14 regional offices. The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) has sanctioned financial assistance of ₹383.18 crore to 93,609 tribal beneficiaries and released ₹351.65 crore for implementing various schemes as of March 2024.
Research and cultural preservation efforts have also gained traction. Since 2014-15, nine new Tribal Research Institutes have been sanctioned in states including Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Goa. The Uttarakhand TRI was inaugurated in 2019, while the Andhra Pradesh TRI became operational on August 15, 2021.
Cultural identity remains a key focus. Every year on November 15, the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda is observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. The 2024 edition marked his 150th birth anniversary and saw nationwide participation. Over one crore people joined virtual celebrations, and the Prime Minister attended the main event held in Jamui, Bihar. The government has approved the establishment of 11 Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums across 10 states. Between November 15 and 26, 2024, over 46,000 cultural, health, education, and livelihood events were held across the country.