New Delhi: The overall budget allocation for the development of Scheduled Tribes (ST) community which forms around 8.6% of the Bharat’s total population has increased by around ₹4000 crores in the latest budget, said the Union Government in an official statement issued on Sunday, February 3.
“The overall budget allocation for the development of Scheduled Tribes has risen from Rs 10,237.33 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 14,925.81 crore in 2025-26, marking an impressive 45.79% increase,” reads the statement.
“The Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) has been expanded and subsumed under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) with an outlay of Rs 80,000 crore over five years,” it added.
The statement further underscored that the budget outlay for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has seen consistent growth, rising from Rs 7,511.64 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 10,237.33 crore in 2024-25, and now reaching Rs 14,925.81 crore in 2025-26.
Empowering Tribes Towards Viksit Bharat: A Historic Boost for Tribal Welfare in Union Budget 2025
Union Budget 2025: Transforming Vision into Mission for Tribal Development
Government’s Commitment to Tribal Welfare: Budget Allocation Surges by 231.83% from ₹4,497.96 Cr in…
— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 2, 2025
It further highlighted that the allocation has risen from Rs 4,497.96 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 7,411 crore in 2021-22, marking an increase of 231.83% since 2014-15, which demonstrate government’s sustained focus on tribal welfare.
Key Allocations and Flagship Initiatives
In the latest arrangements made, a whopping Rs 7,088.60 crore (nearly double of last year’s allocation of Rs 4,748 crore) was allocated to provide quality education to tribal students in remote areas under the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) .
The other notable allocations includes, Rs 380.40 crore for Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission, Rs 335.97 crore for Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana aimed at bridging infrastructural gaps in education, healthcare, and employment along Rs300 crore for Multi-purpose Centres (MPC) under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: A Game-Changer
The government’s release further highlighted about the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) which aims to saturate infrastructural gaps in 63,843 villages with a budgetary outlay of Rs 79,156 crore over five years.
Notably, the initiative brings together 17 ministries through 25 targeted interventions, ensuring integrated tribal development in key areas such as health, education, livelihoods, and skill development.
Surpassing Expectations in Tribal Funding
Together, ₹1,725.62 Cr is already available with states under PMAAGY. Adding this to the total allocation, we now have ₹5,356 Cr for the upliftment of STs, surpassing the original ₹4,300 Cr budgeted amount. #TribalEmpowerment #PMAAGY pic.twitter.com/JyvkxgbNIL— Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India (@TribalAffairsIn) February 3, 2025
“The allocation for DAJGUA under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has quadrupled from Rs 500 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in 2025-26, reflecting the government’s commitment to uplifting tribal communities at the grassroots level,” emphasised the statement further.
It further noted that the “Union Budget 2025 marks a paradigm shift in tribal development, with an emphasis on education, healthcare, skill development, and economic empowerment.”
“By integrating targeted interventions across ministries, the government is fostering inclusive growth and paving the way for a Viksit Bharat, where tribal communities are not only beneficiaries but active contributors to the nation’s progress,” it added.
Reacting to the increase in allocation of funds for separate welfare schemes, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram said”Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Budget 2025-26 is dedicated to building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This transformative budget prioritizes the holistic development of villages, the poor, farmers, youth, and women. Heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister and Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Ji for presenting this historic budget.”
Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durga Das Uikey too hails the development, stating “this budget is a testament to our dedication to tribal welfare, with focused investments in education, livelihoods, and infrastructure, paving the way for a brighter future. Our Government is committed to tribal empowerment.”
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