India, home to over 10.45 crore Scheduled Tribe (ST) individuals—comprising 8.6% of the total population—boasts a rich and diverse tribal heritage. Spread across remote and often inaccessible regions, these communities have long been a focal point of the government’s development agenda. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Budget 2025-26 reaffirms this commitment. It includes a significant increase in budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. This ensures holistic and sustainable development for tribal communities across the country.

Unprecedented Budgetary Support for Tribal Welfare

• 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.
• The Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) has been expanded. It is now subsumed under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA). This comes with an outlay of Rs 80,000 crore over five years.
• 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.
• A long-term perspective reveals significant progress: from Rs 4,497.96 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 7,411 crore in 2021-22, and now a 231.83% increase since 2014-15, demonstrating the government’s sustained focus on tribal welfare.

Union Budget 2025-26 Key Allocations and Flagship Initiatives

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Rs 7,088.60 crore, nearly double last year’s Rs 4,748 crore, to provide quality education to tribal students in remote areas.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Jatiya Vikas Mission: Rs 380.40 crore, up from Rs 152.32 crore, reinforcing efforts to create year-round income-generating opportunities for tribal communities.
• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): Allocation surged 163% to Rs 335.97 crore, focusing on bridging infrastructural gaps in education, healthcare, and employment.
• Multi-Purpose Centers (MPC) under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN): Funding increased. It has doubled from Rs 150 crore to Rs 300 crore. This enhances socio-economic support in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) dominated habitations.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: A Game-Changer

The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) builds upon the success of PM-JANMAN. It aims to fill infrastructural gaps in 63,843 villages. The budgetary outlay is Rs 79,156 crore over five years (Central Share: Rs 56,333 crore, State Share: Rs 22,823 crore). This initiative coordinates work from 17 ministries. It includes 25 targeted interventions. These ensure integrated tribal development in key areas such as health, education, livelihoods, and skill development.

• The allocation for DAJGUA under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has increased significantly. It has quadrupled from Rs 500 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in 2025-26. This reflects the government’s commitment to uplifting tribal communities at the grassroots level.

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram:“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi leads with vision. The Union Budget 2025-26 is focused on 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:“This budget shows our dedication to tribal welfare. It includes focused investments in education, livelihoods, and infrastructure. These efforts are paving the way for a brighter future. Our Government is committed to tribal empowerment.”

Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Vibhu Nayar:“The enhanced budget will enable us to implement transformative programs like PM-JANMAN. It also includes Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, and EMRS. These and other programs will create long-term, sustainable impact for tribal communities across India.”

Towards a Viksit Bharat with Inclusive Growth

The Union Budget 2025 marks a paradigm shift in tribal development. It emphasizes 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.

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