Why in the news?

  • An MoU was signed between NSTDFC and Coal India to empower 30000 tribal students with Digital Learning, Mentorship & Better Infrastructure in Eklavya Model Residential Schools.

National Scheduled Tribe Finance and Development Corporation(NSTDFC)

  • What is it?: A fully owned Government of India enterprise which Provides concessional financial assistance for economic development of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
  • Establishment: Established in 2001
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  • Objectives:
    • Promote self-employment and entrepreneurial ventures among Scheduled Tribes.
    • Provide financial assistance at concessional rates for income-generating activities.
    • Upgrade the skills of tribal youth through training and capacity-building programmes.
    • Support socio-economic upliftment in line with Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) strategy.
  • Functions:
    • Functions as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under the Companies Act, 1956.
    • Extend concessional loans to eligible Scheduled Tribe individuals/SHGs/Cooperatives.
    • Implement special schemes in priority sectors such as agriculture, minor forest produce, small industries, transport, and services.
    • Undertake training and skill-development programmes.
    • Provide marketing support for tribal products and services.
  • Challenges:
    • Low awareness among tribal communities and Limited reach in remote tribal areas.
    • Delays in fund disbursement via SCAs.
    • Issues of loan recovery and sustainability.
  • Way Forward:
    • Expanding outreach through NGOs, cooperatives, and tribal federations.
    • Strengthening digital platforms for loan processing and monitoring.
    • Greater integration with Skill India and Digital India initiatives.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools

  • What is it?: EMRS is a scheme for making model residential schools for Scheduled Tribes across India.
  • Ministry: Ministry Tribal Affairs
  • Aim: To give impetus to quality education in nearby tribal areas.
  • Features:
    • It aim not only academic education but all-round development of tribal students.
    • The EMR School follows the CBSE curriculum.
    • At present, there are 384 functional schools spanned across the country established at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya.