In a landmark initiative aimed at empowering tribal youth through education and innovation, Coal India Limited (CIL) has committed ₹10 crore under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to support 68 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Chhattisgarh. This collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India, is set to benefit over 28,000 tribal students across the state.
The EMRS network, established by MoTA, plays a crucial role in providing quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children, enabling them to access higher education and secure meaningful employment. Currently, 479 EMRS are functional across India, delivering not only academic excellence but also ensuring students’ nutritional, health, and holistic development.
As part of this initiative, CIL’s ₹10 crore support will be directed towards the following impactful interventions:
- Promotion of Digital Education: Establishment of computer labs in EMRS, with the procurement of approximately 3,200 computers and 300 tablets.
- Enhancing Health & Hygiene for Girl Students: Installation of 1,200 sanitary napkin vending machines and 1,200 incinerators across school campuses and hostels.
- Student Mentorship Programs: Structured mentoring support to guide students in academic and career planning.
- Entrepreneurship Development: Organization of residential boot camps at premier institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and NITs to nurture entrepreneurial thinking among tribal students.
This comprehensive intervention aligns with the vision of NEP 2020 and the Government’s commitment to creating equitable and inclusive learning opportunities for all. It aims to foster a modern, digitally enabled educational ecosystem and equip students from disadvantaged communities with the tools and confidence to succeed in a competitive world.
The program will be implemented through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a Section 8 company under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
This transformative partnership between CIL and MoTA marks a significant step in bridging the educational divide and building a brighter, more empowered future for India’s tribal youth.
