Kerala Scheduled Tribes Demographic and Funding Overview
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed Lok Sabha that Kerala's Scheduled Tribe (ST) population stands at 484,839 according to Census 2011, representing 1.45% of the state's total population. The districts with the highest ST population concentrations are Wayanad, Idukki, Palakkad, Kasaragod, and Kannur.
Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has monitored the distribution of 3,033 forest rights titles in Kerala, comprising 2,923 Individual Forest Rights (IFR) titles and 110 Community Forest Rights (CFR) titles as per Monthly Progress Reports.
Financial Allocation for Tribal Development
The Government of Kerala received significant funding from 2021-22 to 2025-26 under various central schemes for tribal welfare. The Tribal Sub Plan Scheme accounted for the largest allocation with ₹781.36 crore (2021-22), ₹859.50 crore (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25), and ₹920.00 crore (2025-26). Scholarship programs included Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (₹3.47 crore in 2021-22, ₹4.36 crore in 2023-24, ₹1.00 crore in 2024-25, ₹0.75 crore in 2025-26) and Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (₹25.16 crore in 2021-22, ₹46.89 crore in 2023-24, ₹29.00 crore in 2024-25, ₹62.36 crore in 2025-26).
Additional funding included PM JANMAN scheme (₹2.29 crore in 2023-24, launched November 15, 2023), Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution (₹8.18 crore in 2022-23, ₹19.10 crore in 2023-24, ₹3.96 crore in 2024-25), Support to Tribal Research Institutes (₹3.00 crore in 2024-25, ₹1.04 crore in 2025-26), and PMAAGY (₹0.61 crore in 2023-24, ₹0.30 crore in 2024-25).
Comprehensive Tribal Welfare Initiatives
The government implements multiple schemes for socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes, addressing land rights, education, health, nutrition, and livelihood through convergence of central and state programs. Key initiatives include Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) launched October 2, 2024, with ₹79,156 crore budgetary outlay (Central share: ₹56,333 crore, State share: ₹22,823 crore) targeting 63,843 villages and benefiting over 5 crore tribals across 549 districts.
Educational support includes Pre-Matric Scholarships (₹225/month for day scholars, ₹525/month for hostellers for 10 months, income limit ₹2.50 lakhs annually), Post-Matric Scholarships (₹230-₹1,200/month depending on course), National Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education (income limit ₹6.0 lakhs for 265 notified institutes), National Fellowship Scheme (750 Ph.D fellowships annually, 55% marks requirement), and National Overseas Scholarship (20 awards annually for top 1000 QS-ranked institutions).
Other significant programs include PM JANMAN with ₹24,104 crore outlay (Central share: ₹15,336 crore, State share: ₹8,768 crore) for 75 PVTG communities, Grants under Article 275(1) for infrastructure development, Eklavya Model Residential Schools for quality residential education, PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission for livelihood generation, and venture capital support through NSTFDC and VCF-ST for ST entrepreneurs.