In a major push toward inclusive education and tribal youth empowerment, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with leading organizations, including Tata Motors Limited, UNICEF India, and the Ex-Navodayan Foundation. These collaborations aim to provide skill-based education, career guidance, and competitive exam coaching to over 1.38 lakh tribal students across the country.
The partnership with Tata Motors under the “Kaushalya – Earn & Learn” program will provide Class XII students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) with a structured path to diplomas in engineering, on-the-job training, and employment opportunities at Tata Motors’ facilities across India. The five-year initiative targets tribal youth aged 18–23 who have secured at least 60% in Class X.
Students enrolled in the program will receive a monthly stipend, along with subsidized meals, transportation, uniforms, and insurance. High performers may have the opportunity to pursue B.Tech degrees through partnerships like BITS Pilani’s Work-Integrated Learning Program (WILP). A Joint Review Committee comprising representatives from NESTS and Tata Motors will oversee implementation and monitoring.
In a parallel initiative, NESTS also announced its partnership with UNICEF India and the Ex-Navodayan Foundation to strengthen academic and career outcomes for tribal students through two flagship programs:
TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills & Self-Esteem Hub), a digital platform offering psychometric testing, personalized career guidance, life skills modules, and teacher training. Currently, 189 teachers from 75 EMRSs have been trained, with nationwide rollout expected by the end of 2025.
Coaching for competitive exams such as IIT-JEE, NEET, NTSE, and Olympiads, delivered via both offline Centers of Excellence in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and online modules through digitally-enabled EMRSs.
Speaking on the occasion, NESTS officials emphasized that these initiatives are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the vision of building self-reliant and skilled tribal youth. These MoUs mark a significant step toward bridging the education and employment gap among India’s tribal communities and ensuring that no student is left behind due to lack of resources or opportunity.