New Delhi
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs on Thursday launched the first Regional Process Lab (RPL) of the Aadi Karmayogi – National Mission for Responsive Governance in Bengaluru, in a step towards achieving a Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047.
The Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan is built on convergence across key ministries and departments, including Tribal Affairs, Rural Development, Women & Child Development, Jal Shakti, School Education, and Forests. The initiative aims to build a dynamic cadre of 20 lakh tribal grassroots functionaries and village-level change leaders, who will drive inclusive development and strengthen last-mile service delivery in tribal areas.
“Aadi KARMAYOGI is more than a programme—it is a call to action to reimagine governance from the bottom up, rooted in India’s tribal ethos and led by local champions. Aligned with flagship initiatives such as PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA, the mission heralds the next chapter in governance innovation—built on the pillars of convergence, community, and capability. It represents governance with both soul and structure—where aspirations of tribal youth meet responsive institutions, and where policy reaches people with dignity, timeliness, and purpose,” the Ministry maintained.
“Aadi Karmayogi is a game-changer for tribal India. It represents the spirit of Seva, Sankalp, and Samarpan—a true embodiment of Antyodaya. Through this cadre of two million change leaders, we are institutionalizing dignity, accountability, and service delivery in the most remote corners of our country. This is how Viksit Bharat will be built—from the grassroots upward,” Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, said in his address.
“The RPL marks the operational kick-off of this ambitious national mission. It serves as a strategic capacity-building hub, training State Master Trainers (SMTs) from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The launch was symbolically held on Guru Purnima, underscoring the spiritual significance of nurturing a new generation of grassroots ‘Gurus’ committed to transforming governance through wisdom, empathy, and action,” the Ministry stated.
Durgadas Uikey, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, said, “This Abhiyan is not just about governance—it is about restoring pride, identity, and voice to our tribal communities. Trained Aadi Karmayogi will become an agent of hope and transformation.”
Vibhu Nayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, described the Abhiyan as a “historic opportunity” to create a new paradigm of responsive tribal governance. He emphasized the need for localized, context-specific solutions supported by inter-departmental convergence. Urging SMTs to become “pioneers of change,” he envisioned them as catalysts for empowering tribal communities and bridging the last-mile governance gap.
Karnataka Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, praised the Abhiyan as a “timely and transformative intervention” in the tribal development landscape. She extended Karnataka’s full institutional support through training infrastructure such as SIRD Mysore, Extension Training Centres, and Panchayat-level facilities to empower SMTs and DMTs.
The RPL in Bengaluru is the first of many capacity-building hubs in a cascading model. SMTs trained here will lead State Process Labs (SPLs), which will, in turn, train District Master Trainers (DMTs). The programme also integrates civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen participatory learning and local contextualization.
