In a landmark initiative, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Coal India Limited (CIL) have joined hands for the upgradation of infrastructure and capacity building in 76 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today (09.09.2025) in New Delhi between CIL and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a Section 8 company under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The ceremony took place in the august presence of Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, and Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Union Minister of Coal & Mines.

Currently, 479 EMRS are functional across the country, providing quality education, nutrition, health care, and overall development opportunities for Scheduled Tribe (ST) children. These schools are a flagship intervention of the Ministry to empower tribal students by enabling them to access higher education and gainful employment.

Recognising the scope of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in supplementing government efforts, CIL has committed to supporting the Ministry under its CSR initiatives. Through this collaboration, the following provisions will be made in 76 EMRS:

• 1200 computers and 1200 UPS units
• 110 tablets
• 420 sanitary pad vending machines
• 420 sanitary pad incinerators
• Career counselling and mentorship for over 6,200 students of Classes 10 & 12

CIL has sanctioned ₹10 crore for the project, which will be implemented by NSTFDC in a time-bound manner.

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