In which year was the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme originally introduced?
The scheme was introduced in 1997-98 to provide quality education to ST students in remote areas.
Which Ministry governs the EMRS scheme?
EMRS is the flagship intervention of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt of India.
What is the full form of NESTS?
NESTS is the autonomous society set up to manage EMRS schools.
EMRS schools are established to be on par with which other school system?
The objective is to provide quality residential education on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas.
The EMRS scheme was significantly revamped and expanded in which budget year?
In the Union Budget 2018-19, the government announced the target to cover every block with significant tribal population.
What article of the Indian Constitution provided grants for EMRS before it became a separate scheme?
Initially, EMRS was funded under 'Grants under Article 275(1)' of the Constitution.
EMRS caters to students from which classes?
They are residential schools providing education from Class 6 to 12.
The new target is to set up an EMRS in every block with what percentage of ST population?
Criteria: Every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.
What is the sanctioned student strength for a standard EMRS?
The standard capacity is 480 students (Class 6-12, 60 students per class).
How much land is typically required to set up an EMRS?
A minimum of 15 acres is required for EMRS to ensure facilities like playgrounds and hostels.
What is the reservation percentage for PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) in EMRS admissions?
5% of seats are reserved for children belonging to PVTG communities.
In EMRS admission, what is the reservation for children who lost parents to LWE (Left Wing Extremism) or insurgencies?
There is a consolidated 7% quota for widows' children, LWE victims, etc.
What is the ratio of boys to girls in EMRS admissions?
EMRS maintains equal seats for boys and girls (30 boys + 30 girls per class of 60).
EMRS schools are affiliated to which board?
All EMRS schools are affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
How many sections are there typically in Class VI to X in an EMRS?
Standard strength is 60 students divided into 2 sections of 30 each.
In the Budget 2025-26, the outlay for EMRS has increased to approximately:
The budget outlay nearly doubled from ~4748 Cr in 24-25 to ~7088 Cr in 25-26.
What is the recurring cost per student per year currently provided to EMRS (as per latest 2024-25 updates)?
Recent updates indicate an increase to roughly Rs 1.47 - 1.50 Lakh per student annually to improve quality.
What is the construction cost sanctioned for an EMRS in Hilly/NE/LWE areas?
For plain areas it is ~Rs 37.80 Cr, but for difficult areas (Hilly/NE/LWE), it is Rs 48 Crore.
What is the monthly mess expenditure limit per student as per revised guidelines (approx)?
Guidelines dated 2024-25 state approx Rs 25,279 per year, which is ~Rs 2,528 per month for 10 months.
The total budget allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2025-26 crossed which mark?
The outlay jumped by ~46% to approx Rs 14,926 Crore.
The 4th National EMRS Sports Meet 2025 was held in which state?
It was held in Rourkela, Sundargarh, and Rajgangpur, Odisha in November 2025.
Who was the Mascot of the 4th National EMRS Sports Meet 2025?
'Milan' represented the melanistic tiger found in Odisha.
How many EMRS schools have been sanctioned in total by the government (Target for 2026)?
Recent PIB releases cite the target as 728 EMRSs.
As of late 2025, approximately how many EMRS schools are reported to be functional?
Govt data tells Lok Sabha approx 476-479 schools are functional as of late 2025.
The "National EMRS Cultural Fest" 2024 was also hosted by which state?
Odisha hosted both the Cultural Fest (2024) and the Sports Meet (2025).
Who is the current Commissioner of NESTS (as of late 2025)?
He delivered the address at the 4th National EMRS Sports Meet.
What new initiative uses EMRS to bridge the digital gap in tribal areas?
NESTS has partnered with Amazon and Microsoft to train teachers and students in CS and AI.
The 'Shaheed Veera' and 'Birsa Munda' usually relate to what in EMRS?
Houses are often named after tribal freedom fighters.
Which state has the highest number of sanctioned EMRS schools (approx 90+)?
Jharkhand has a very high number of sanctioned schools (approx 92), though operational numbers vary.
"PMAAGY" mentioned in tribal budget documents stands for?
This scheme complements EMRS by developing infrastructure in tribal villages.
What is the maximum age limit for a Principal post in EMRS (Direct Recruitment)?
Generally, the max age for Principal is 50 years (relaxable for SC/ST/OBC etc.).
EMRS teachers are eligible for which prestigious national award?
EMRS teachers (like Sudha Painuli, Sidharth Yonzone) have won this award recently.
Is EMRS a co-educational system?
EMRS schools are co-ed with separate hostel facilities for boys and girls.
Which autonomous body conducts the EMRS Staff Selection Exam (ESSE)?
NESTS is the agency responsible, though it may hire testing agencies like NTA or CBSE to conduct the test.
What is the "One Nation, One Student ID" that applies to EMRS students as well?
Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is the new student ID system.
Which of these is NOT a facility mandated in EMRS?
Swimming pools are not a mandatory part of standard EMRS infrastructure, though some might have them.
The EMRS guidelines reserve seats for "Land Donor" families. Is this true?
There is a provision to prioritize children of land donors in admissions for that specific school.
Who chairs the "Steering Committee" of NESTS?
The Governing Body is chaired by the Minister, but the Steering Committee is usually chaired by the Secretary.
What is the motto of EMRS/NESTS?
This is the motto adopted by NESTS/EMRS.
How many non-ST students can be admitted to an EMRS (max quota)?
Up to 10% seats can be filled by non-ST candidates (children of staff, LWE victims, etc.) if ST candidates are not available.
What is "Centre of Excellence" in the context of EMRS?
MoTA supports creating Centers of Excellence for Sports in specific EMRSs.
Which state has NO sanctioned EMRS (as per general list)?
States with negligible ST population or no Scheduled Areas like Punjab and Haryana do not have EMRSs.
The "National Education Policy (NEP) 2020" emphasizes what for EMRS?
NEP 2020 explicitly mentions supporting EMRSs.
What is the "Eklavya" series often found in news related to NESTS?
NESTS publishes newsletters highlighting achievements of EMRS students.
Who is the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs (2024-25)?
Jual Oram took charge as the Minister of Tribal Affairs in June 2024.
In which year was NESTS established?
Though the EMRS revamp was announced in 2018, NESTS was registered as a society in 2019 to manage the schools.
What is the role of "State EMRS Societies"?
State EMRS Societies work in coordination with NESTS for ground-level implementation.
EMRS students have performed exceptionally well in which recent space-related event?
Many EMRS students have been selected for visits to ISRO centers under various government schemes.
Which of these is a "Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group" (PVTG) for whom seats are reserved?
Baigas (MP/Chhattisgarh) and Bondas (Odisha) are classified as PVTGs.
Is "Poshan Maah" (Nutrition Month) celebrated in EMRS?
EMRS schools actively participate in Rashtriya Poshan Maah to promote nutrition among tribal children.