Replying to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha today the Union Minister of State Shri. Durgadas Uikey said that in the Union Budget 2018–19, the Government announced a significant expansion of the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Scheme with the objective of providing quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children in their own socio-cultural environment. Under this initiative, it was envisaged to establish EMRSs for classes VI to XII having equal number of boys and girls in blocks having more than 50 per cent ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (twin criteria), as per the Census 2011.

Pursuant to this announcement, the Government has approved the establishment of 728 EMRSs ( including 288 old schools ) across the country to enhance access to quality education for ST students, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

As on date, a total of 723 EMRSs have been sanctioned, out of which 499 schools are functional. State wise status of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) is at Annexure.

(c and d): EMRS scheme has presently the provision of establishing EMRSs in a block having more than 50 per cent ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons. The assessment for requirement of additional schools is a continuous process which are reviewed from time to time.

Annexure

Annexure as referred in part (a and b) of the reply to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4298 for 01.04.2026 raised by Shri Niranjan Bishi regarding “Assessment of requirement for additional EMRS”

State-wise/UT-wise details of status of EMRSs

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