Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), India's largest oil and gas public sector undertaking, and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a government body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for tribal student empowerment. Under the MoU, ONGC will provide ₹28 crore from its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund for improving educational infrastructure and opportunities at Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across 144 schools in 11 states and Union Territories. Eklavya Model Residential Schools are centrally-run residential schools established under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote and tribal areas. They are equivalent in standard to Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas. The ₹28 crore investment will be utilised for: digital infrastructure (smart classrooms, computer labs, internet connectivity), science laboratories, sports infrastructure, and mentorship and career counselling programmes for tribal students. The partnership also includes scholarship support, skill development initiatives, and e-learning resources tailored for tribal students. ONGC's CSR outreach in tribal education is part of its "ONGC Vidyarth" (ONGC for Education) initiative and aligns with the National Education Policy 2020's emphasis on equitable and inclusive education. As of 1 January 2026, India had 723 sanctioned EMRSs across the country, targeting students from ST communities who have limited access to quality education due to geographical remoteness and economic disadvantages. The NSTFDC provides credit and developmental support to ST communities to facilitate their socio-economic development.
ONGC-NSTFDC Sign MoU for ₹28 Crore CSR Tribal Student Empowerment Across 144 Eklavya Schools
ONGC and NSTFDC signed an MoU for ₹28 crore CSR support covering 144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in 11 states/UTs, providing digital infrastructure, labs, and mentorship for tribal students.
Key facts
- ONGC and NSTFDC signed an MoU for ₹28 crore CSR investment in tribal student education and empowerment.
- The MoU covers 144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across 11 states and Union Territories.
- Investment will provide: digital infrastructure (smart classrooms, internet), science labs, sports facilities, and career mentorship.
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools are centrally-run residential schools for ST students, equivalent to Navodaya Vidyalayas.
- Partnership also includes scholarships, skill development, and e-learning resources for tribal students.
- ONGC's initiative under 'ONGC Vidyarth' aligns with NEP 2020's focus on equitable and inclusive education.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2024 Initiatives for tribal welfare by Government of India — The PYQ asks about central initiatives empowering tribal communities, directly relevant to the ONGC-NSTFDC ₹28 crore MoU for Eklavya schools.
Mains angle
Q: Analyse how the ONGC-NSTFDC ₹28 crore CSR MoU for 144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools aligns with the National Education Policy 2020's goals of equitable and inclusive education for Scheduled Tribe students.
Answer (50 words):
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation signed an MoU committing ₹28 crore from CSR funds to upgrade 144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across 11 states and Union Territories. Smart classrooms, laboratories, mentorship, and scholarships reinforce NEP 2020's inclusive-education mandate for tribal learners.
Static prep for this topic
Read the permanent syllabus behind this story.
6-axis classification
Appears in these topics
Source: PIB
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of the ONGC-NSTFDC MoU signed in January 2026?
**ONGC** (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) and **NSTFDC** (National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation) signed an MoU for **tribal student empowerment**. Under the MoU, ONGC will invest **₹28 crore** from its CSR fund to improve educational infrastructure at **144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)** across **11 states and Union Territories**, covering digital infrastructure, science labs, sports facilities, mentorship, and e-learning resources.
What are Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)?
**Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)** are **centrally-run residential schools** under the **Ministry of Tribal Affairs**, established to provide quality education to **Scheduled Tribe (ST) students** in remote and tribal areas. They are equivalent in standard to **Navodaya Vidyalayas** and **Kendriya Vidyalayas**. As of **1 January 2026, India had 723 sanctioned EMRSs** across the country. EMRS aims to bridge the educational gap between tribal and non-tribal populations.
What is NSTFDC and what is its role?
**NSTFDC (National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation)** is a government organisation under the **Ministry of Tribal Affairs**. It provides **credit and developmental support** to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities to facilitate their socio-economic development. NSTFDC acts as an apex institution channelling financial support, skill development, and livelihood programmes for tribal communities across India.
What specific improvements will the ₹28 crore ONGC CSR investment bring to EMRS?
The **₹28 crore** ONGC CSR investment in 144 EMRS will provide: (1) **Digital infrastructure** — smart classrooms, computer labs, internet connectivity; (2) **Science laboratories** for hands-on learning; (3) **Sports infrastructure** for physical development; (4) **Mentorship and career counselling** programmes; (5) **Scholarship support** for meritorious tribal students; (6) **Skill development** and **e-learning** resources tailored for tribal students.
How does the ONGC-NSTFDC MoU align with national education and welfare policies?
The MoU aligns with: (1) **NEP 2020's** emphasis on **equitable and inclusive education** — ensuring tribal students get equal opportunities; (2) **Tribal Sub-Plan** and **Eklavya expansion** under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; (3) ONGC's **'ONGC Vidyarth'** (ONGC for Education) CSR initiative; (4) **DPIIT's CSR norms** promoting corporate investment in tribal welfare. Together, they represent a public-private model for bridging the educational gap in tribal India.
Was this useful?
Share corrections or missing exam angles with the editorial team.
Send feedback