SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs held a one-day workshop on 16 September 2025 in New Delhi to fine-tune the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) framework. The workshop brought together 41 ministries/departments working on sectors such as health, education, agriculture, roads, housing, employment, and skill development. Discussions centred on aligning allocations with outcome orientation and closing persistent development gaps affecting tribal communities. The Adi Karmyogi Abhiyan was also introduced during the event - intended as a bottom-up governance initiative to enable village visioning and connect local needs with DAPST allocations. Officials emphasized that DAPST guidelines require ministries to earmark between 4.3% and 17.5% of scheme budgets (per NITI Aayog guidance) specifically for Scheduled Tribe upliftment.
By enforcing earmarked allocations across ministries and encouraging outcome-oriented planning, the DAPST framework helps in mainstreaming tribal needs into core program design. The workshop signals a shift from ad hoc tribal interventions to integrated, cross-departmental accountability.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can inter-ministerial coordination and monitoring mechanisms be strengthened so that the earmarked DAPST funds translate into visible improvements in tribal areas?
Follow the full news here: Press Release β PIB