New Delhi
The Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) have been one of the most cited and publicised tribal-centric infrastructure projects of the Modi Government. So far, 479 EMRSs have been made functional out of the 728 approved.
However, as per information provided by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey in Lok Sabha in reply to un-starred question of S Jagathratchakan and Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi, a sharp ironical contradiction gets projected.
While the fund allocation for the EMRSs in the last five financial years (from 2020-21) went up from Rs 1200 crore to Rs about 2472 crore (in 2024-25) — which is a four-time increase — the dropout rate of tribal students from these schools in four years (from 2021-22 to 2024-25) witnessed a five-fold increase. (See tables below)
Fund Allocated During The Last 5 Years
| Financial Year | Rs. in crore |
| 2020-21 | 1,200.00 |
| 2021-22 | 1,153.00 |
| 2022-23 | 1,999.90 |
| 2023-24 | 2,471.81 |
| 2024-25 | 4,748.92 |
State/UT-Wise Details Of Dropout Rates Of Students
| S. No. | State | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 | 2020-21 |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | 66 | 7 | – | – | Data not maintained centrally |
| 2 | Chhattisgarh | 88 | 46 | 17 | 2 | |
| 3 | Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | 5 | – | – | – | |
| 4 | Gujarat | 7 | 20 | 6 | – | |
| 5 | Himachal Pradesh | 2 | – | – | – | |
| 6 | Jammu & Kashmir | 3 | 1 | – | – | |
| 7 | Jharkhand | 6 | 5 | 30 | 25 | |
| 8 | Karnataka | 9 | 2 | 9 | 23 | |
| 9 | Kerala | – | – | – | – | |
| 10 | Madhya Pradesh | 71 | 42 | 101 | 14 | |
| 11 | Maharashtra | 68 | 24 | 8 | 3 | |
| 12 | Manipur | 6 | 7 | 1 | 1 | |
| 13 | Mizoram | 13 | 1 | – | – | |
| 14 | Nagaland | 1 | 3 | – | 2 | |
| 15 | Odisha | 87 | 84 | 24 | 6 | |
| 16 | Rajasthan | 45 | 23 | 29 | 2 | |
| 17 | Sikkim | 2 | 1 | – | – | |
| 18 | Tamil Nadu | 1 | 14 | – | – | |
| 19 | Telangana | 37 | 31 | 8 | – | |
| 20 | Tripura | 12 | 2 | 1 | – | |
| 21 | Uttar Pradesh | 18 | 7 | 4 | 33 | |
| 22 | Uttarakhand | – | 1 | – | – | |
| 23 | West Bengal | 5 | 8 | 3 | – | |
| Grand Total | 552 | 329 | 241 | 111 |
Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a near -10-fold increase in the dropout rate — from just 7 students in 2023-24 to 66 students in 2024-25. Dropout rates have also increased in States like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Overall, from 111 students dropping out in 2021-22 to 552 students doing so now, it’s an almost five-fold increase. And this should be a cause of concern for the Government.
More so, since this scenario exists despite the Government’s bid to ensure a greater coverage of ST areas and students through different measures.
According to Uikey, the Government, through the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) and State Societies, is taking several targeted measures to reduce dropout rates among children of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). A 5% reservation in admissions has been mandated for PVTG students, and guidelines for EMRS admissions for the academic year 2025–26 have been issued to all State EMRS Societies to ensure strict adherence to this provision.
The Minister maintained that State Governments have been advised to increase enrolment of PVTG students and to run awareness campaigns highlighting the range of facilities offered by EMRSs. These include safe and well-equipped hostel accommodations, particularly for girls; quality education aligned with the CBSE curriculum to prepare students for higher studies and competitive exams; and the provision of nutritious food to support student health.
He further stated that ICT-based education is being introduced to promote digital literacy and future readiness. In addition, excursions, sports events, and cultural activities are being organized to maintain student engagement and motivation, while also preserving tribal heritage through creative expression. A 1:1 gender ratio in admissions is mandated to ensure equal opportunities for girls. Efforts are also being made to mobilize tribal communities through outreach programs in remote areas.
