Srinagar, Aug 22 (KNS): The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has released fresh data highlighting economic and educational support extended to Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir, with financial assistance crossing ?4.43 crore and enrolment in tribal residential schools witnessing a sharp rise.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), multiple schemes implemented through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) have directly benefited tribal communities in the UT over the past five years.

More than 1,600 tribal individuals in J&K received support under schemes such as Term Loans, Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY), Micro Credit Finance (MCF) and Adivasi Shiksha Rojgar Yojana (ASRY). These initiatives provided access to small-scale enterprise loans, working capital and livelihood support.

The current financial year (2024–25) has recorded the highest assistance so far, with ?10.80 crore sanctioned under Term Loan schemes benefiting 397 beneficiaries. Additional allocations under AMSY and ASRY took the cumulative support to ?11.02 crore disbursed to 409 individuals.

A year-wise breakup shows steady inflows: in 2020–21, ?4.08 crore reached 175 beneficiaries; in 2021–22, ?Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel13.62 crore supported 410 tribal individuals; in 2022–23, ?12.72 crore was disbursed to 535 persons; and in 2023–24, ?2.95 crore aided 106 beneficiaries.

In the field of education, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) reported remarkable growth in admissions to Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in J&K. From just 294 students in 2022–23, enrolment has surged to 1,134 students in 2025–26, reflecting growing trust in the fully residential education model designed for tribal children.

While J&K has no Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) at present, the Ministry said EMRS infrastructure continues to expand under central monitoring.

The UT also benefits from other institutional support bodies, including the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), which works alongside NSTFDC to facilitate entrepreneurship, skill-building and market access for tribal communities.

The Ministry added that several success stories from J&K have been featured on the official NSTFDC website, showcasing the ground-level impact of these schemes on tribal entrepreneurs and households.(KNS)