MoTA Intensifies Tribal Development Push to Accelerate Delivery Targets for DA-JGUA and PM-JANMAN Schemes

The meeting underscored the Government of India’s renewed focus on last-mile tribal welfare delivery as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader vision for “Viksit Bharat 2047.”

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has intensified its nationwide tribal development drive, directing Central Ministries and State governments to accelerate delivery of key welfare schemes under a results-oriented framework aimed at achieving saturation-level coverage of essential services in tribal regions.

At a high-level national review meeting chaired by Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Smt. Ranjana Chopra, senior officials from Central Line Ministries and State Tribal Welfare Departments reviewed the progress of flagship tribal initiatives, including:

• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA)

• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Maha Nyaya Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)

• Programmes under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India

The meeting underscored the Government of India's renewed focus on last-mile tribal welfare delivery as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's broader vision for "Viksit Bharat 2047."

DA-JGUA Enters Critical Third Phase of Tribal Infrastructure Rollout

Officials described the meeting as especially significant because DA-JGUA has now entered its third year of implementation — identified by the Ministry as the decisive phase for translating planning and mobilisation into measurable on-ground outcomes.

The Ministry stated that the focus has now shifted firmly toward:

• Saturation of basic infrastructure

• Universal access to essential services

• Measurable delivery outcomes

• Field-level accountability

Addressing officials, Secretary Tribal Affairs Smt. Ranjana Chopra made it clear that universal coverage of tribal entitlements is now considered a "non-negotiable obligation" rather than an aspirational target.

She stressed that delays or partial implementation in sectors such as:

• Housing

• Drinking water

• Healthcare

• Education

• Road connectivity

• Livelihood support

would be treated as deviations from the scheme's intended purpose.

The Ministry also announced that future performance evaluation would focus on measurable outcomes and actual delivery rather than expenditure alone.

Quarterly Targets Introduced for Ministries and States

To strengthen implementation discipline, the Ministry has now established:

Sector-wise quarterly targets for FY 2026–27

for all participating Line Ministries under DA-JGUA.

Additional Secretary, MoTA, Shri Manish Thakur directed ministries to:

• Appoint Joint Secretary-level DA-JGUA nodal officers

• Share updated monthly progress reports

• Coordinate directly with State departments

• Conduct independent convergence review meetings

The Ministry said stronger monitoring systems are necessary to ensure that tribal welfare schemes deliver tangible improvements at the grassroots level.

Massive Convergence Model Driving Tribal Development Strategy

Officials highlighted that DA-JGUA operates on a convergence-based architecture integrating multiple Central sector schemes within the same tribal habitations.

States have now been urged to take greater co-ownership of the programme and strengthen district-level accountability mechanisms involving:

• District Collectors

• District Magistrates

• ITDA Project Officers

The Ministry stressed that effective field-level verification and real-time progress tracking will be central to achieving saturation targets.

New Tribal Development Initiatives Unveiled

During the review meeting, MoTA announced a series of new strategic initiatives aimed at expanding tribal livelihoods, healthcare, sustainability and local governance systems.

The new initiatives include:

• Integrated Conservation, Agro-Technology and Value-Added Bioresource Enterprise for Sustainable Tribal Livelihoods (with CSIR-NBRI)

• Capacity Building of Tribal Healers (with ICMR)

• Tribal Health Observatory under Project DRISTI

• Disease Elimination Missions targeting malaria, leprosy and tuberculosis

• Tribal Multipurpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs)

• Tribal Freedom Fighter Model Villages (TFFMVs)

• Tribal Eco-Tourism Pilot Project (TEPP)

• Tribal Homestay Development

• Tribal Solar Helper Programme

• Institutionalisation of Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

Officials said these initiatives reflect a more holistic and multi-sectoral approach to tribal development integrating:

• Livelihood generation

• Health interventions

• Sustainable tourism

• Renewable energy

• Community-led governance

Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan to Strengthen Grassroots Tribal Governance

Special emphasis was placed on the:

Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan (AKA)

which aims to improve last-mile service delivery and strengthen local tribal facilitation systems.

Under the initiative:

• Adi Sewa Kendras (ASKs) will function as village-level facilitation centres

• Adi Karmayogi Volunteers (AKVs) will serve as grassroots tribal youth facilitators

The programme focuses on:

• Grievance redressal

• Access to welfare entitlements

• Local service coordination

• Community mobilisation

States were instructed to ensure weekly monitoring of implementation progress at the district level.

PM-JANMAN Focuses on India's Most Vulnerable Tribal Communities

The review also assessed implementation under:

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Maha Nyaya Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)

the flagship programme dedicated to the development of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Officials acknowledged that PVTG habitations face:

• Geographic isolation

• Historical under-service

• Severe infrastructure deficits

• Limited access to public services

As a result, the Ministry emphasised the need for highly customised and targeted delivery mechanisms tailored specifically for vulnerable tribal communities.

Massive PVTG Household Survey Underway Across 18 States

A major component of the PM-JANMAN rollout is a comprehensive household-level survey covering PVTG households across:

• 18 States

• 1 Union Territory

The survey aims to identify gaps in:

• Welfare entitlements

• Infrastructure access

• Healthcare delivery

• Education access

• Livelihood opportunities

The initiative is being implemented by State Tribal Welfare Departments with technical support from the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).

Officials revealed that:

• Around 2 lakh household entries have already been completed

• The target is approximately 12 lakh entries by the end of June 2026

The survey is being conducted using the:

Survey Setu Tribal App

launched specifically to support large-scale digital tribal data collection and evidence-based policy planning.

Data-Driven Tribal Governance Emerging as Key Focus

MoTA reiterated its commitment to:

• Robust monitoring

• Data-driven interventions

• Evidence-based planning

• Real-time implementation tracking

Officials said the Ministry is increasingly using technology-enabled governance systems to improve targeting and effectiveness of tribal welfare programmes.

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Tribal Development

Concluding the meeting, Secretary Tribal Affairs Smt. Ranjana Chopra reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to holistic tribal development aligned with:

• Viksit Bharat 2047

• Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas

She emphasised that the Ministry seeks to function as:

• A collaborative implementation partner

• A responsive institution

• An accountable delivery mechanism

The Ministry also invited suggestions from stakeholders to further strengthen tribal welfare delivery frameworks across the country.