State PCS - Chhattisgarh (CGPSC)

• 27 Jun 2025

Education Programs for Tribal Youth in Chhattisgarh

Why in News? 

NMDC Limited, India’s largest iron ore producer, has announced two significant Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at empowering tribal youth in Chhattisgarh through fully sponsored education programs.  

• These programs, ‘Balika Shiksha Yojana’ and the ‘Medical Technology Program’, focus on providing educational opportunities to tribal youth and underprivileged students from the region.

Key Points

• Balika Shiksha Yojana: 
  • NMDC is offering fully funded nursing education to tribal girls from Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma, Kondagaon, Bijapur, and Narayanpur districts. 
  • It aims to fully sponsor nursing education at prestigious institutions, investing approximately Rs 12–15 lakh per student. 
  • Applicants must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community. 
• About Medical Technology Program:  
  • In partnership with Apollo University, Chittoor, NMDC is offering a fully sponsored B.Sc. programs in Allied Health Sciences for ST students from Dantewada and Bastar. 
  • The program includes 90 seats (60% reserved for girls, 40% for boys) in the specialised courses. 
  • Each selected student will receive sponsorship worth Rs 12–15 lakh, covering all academic and living expenses.

Educational Schemes for Tribals 

• Scheme for the Establishment of Ashram Schools: 
  • The centrally sponsored scheme supports the construction of Ashram Schools for tribal boys and girls, particularly in extremism-affected tribal sub-plan areas. 
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS):  
  • Provides quality education for tribal children in remote areas, with 740 schools sanctioned.  
• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN):  
  • Focuses on health, education, and livelihoods for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Tribes in Chhattisgarh 

• There are a total of 42 tribes in Chhattisgarh, principal among them being the Gond tribe.  
• Besides, a large population of Kanwar, Brinjhwar, Bhaina, Bhatra, Uraon, Munda, Kamar, Halba, Baiga, Sanwra, Korwa, Bharia, Nageshia, Manghwar, Kharia and Dhanwar tribe are also found in the State. 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 

• About: CSR refers to a company’s responsibility towards society and the environment.   
  • It is a self-regulating model that ensures businesses remain accountable for their impact on economic, social, and environmental well-being.   
  • By adopting CSR, companies become more aware of their broader role in sustainable development.  

• Legal Framework: India is the first country to make CSR spending mandatory under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, providing a structured framework for eligible activities.  
• Applicability: CSR rules apply to companies that, in the preceding financial year, have a net worth exceeding Rs 500 crore, or a turnover over Rs 1,000 crore, or a net profit above Rs 5 crore.  
  • Such companies must spend at least 2% of their average net profit of the last 3 financial years (or available years if newly incorporated) on CSR activities.