World Tribal Day 2025: A Landmark in India’s Journey Towards Inclusive Tribal Empowerment
"On the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, let us deepen our sensitivity and compassion towards society. Let us resolve to take every member — the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and tribals — along in our journey of progress."
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi, August 15, 2024
Every year on August 9, the world observes International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (World Tribal Day), established by the United Nations to promote the rights and well-being of indigenous communities.
With over 104.2 million tribal citizens, India is home to one of the largest indigenous populations globally. Over the past decade, the Government of India has made unprecedented investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, livelihoods, and cultural preservation in tribal regions.
Historic Rise in Budgets and Schemes
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs budget grew from ₹4,497.96 crore in 2014-15 to ₹13,000 crore in 2024-25.
- Under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST), 42 ministries’ combined tribal development expenditure rose from ₹21,525.36 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1.25 lakh crore in 2024-25.
- Annual expenditure over the last five years:
- 2020-21: ₹48,084.10 crore
- 2021-22: ₹82,530.58 crore
- 2022-23: ₹90,972.76 crore
- 2023-24: ₹1,03,452.77 crore
- 2024-25 (provisional): ₹1,04,436.24 crore
Key Achievements
- 2.511 million tribal families received land titles under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
- 479 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) serve over 138,000 students.
- 15.6 million students received higher education scholarships worth ₹16,216.22 crore between 2019-20 and 2024-25.
- Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) generated ₹129.86 crore in sales, with international recognition through the Aadi Mahotsav.
PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM JUGA)
Launched on October 2, 2024 from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, PM JUGA is India’s largest-ever rural tribal development program.
- Budget: ₹79,156 crore
- Coverage: 63,843 tribal-majority villages and 112 aspirational districts
- Progress (as of July 2025):
- Over 400,000 pucca houses constructed
- 692 hostels approved
- 70 mobile medical units deployed
- 8,654 homes electrified
- 2,212 villages connected with mobile networks
- 282 operational Anganwadi centers
- Piped water supply in 26,513 villages
PM Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
A targeted program for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
PM Modi emphasized:
"Our tribal population is small in proportion but spread across small groups in remote areas. Delivering schemes to such regions is challenging, but we will leave no stone unturned."
Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA)
- As of May 2025, 2.511 million titles approved and distributed.
- Legally recognizes traditional land and forest rights, preventing forced eviction.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
- Dedicated grievance redressal platform NCSTGRAMS.
- In FY 2025-26 (till August 7), 1,747 cases registered; 1,670 addressed.
- Since inception: 11,096 cases registered; 8,718 resolved.
Grants to Non-Governmental Organisations
- Funding increased from ₹59.50 crore in 2020-21 to ₹175 crore in 2024-25.
- Nearly ₹1,000 crore granted to over 200 NGOs in the past decade.
Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and Museums
- 29 TRIs across states, with ₹265.94 crore allocated between 2020 and 2025.
- 10 new TRI buildings completed since 2014.
- 11 tribal freedom fighter museums approved; 3 completed:
- Birsa Munda Museum, Ranchi
- Raja Shankar Shah–Raghunath Shah Museum, Jabalpur
- Badal Bhoi Museum, Chhindwara
Cultural Promotion: Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas and Aadi Mahotsav
- November 15 marked annually as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in honor of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
- In 2024, on his 150th birth anniversary, ₹6,640 crore worth of schemes launched.
- Aadi Mahotsav 2025:
- Participation of 600+ artisans, 500 artists, over 30 states/UTs
- 25+ MoUs signed with major retail and e-commerce brands (including Meesho, Reliance Retail)
- International collaboration with Torajamelo (Indonesia)
Why This Transformation Matters
- Local Impact: Direct improvements in education, healthcare, and employment in tribal regions.
- National Significance: Major progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stronger foundations of social justice.
- Global Message: India positioning itself as a leader in indigenous development initiatives.
Timeline (2014–2025)
- 2014-15: Ministry of Tribal Affairs budget ₹4,497.96 crore.
- 2019-20 to 2024-25: ₹16,216.22 crore in scholarships.
- October 2, 2024: Launch of PM JUGA.
- November 15, 2024: Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary — ₹6,640 crore schemes announced.
- May 2025: FRA titles reach 2.511 million.
- August 2025: World Tribal Day marked with updated progress reports.
Conclusion (TheTrendingPeople.com)
On World Tribal Day 2025, India reaffirms that inclusive development is incomplete without integrating tribal communities into the mainstream. These initiatives go beyond economic upliftment — ensuring social dignity, cultural preservation, and equal opportunity.
As India moves towards 2047, the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” stands as a promise to take every community forward, making tribal empowerment a cornerstone of the nation’s growth story.