The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is organizing a two-day National Workshop on Strengthening Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) on July 7-8, 2026, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The workshop aims to review the functioning of Tribal Research Institutes across India and develop a comprehensive roadmap to transform them into vibrant knowledge institutions, cultural resource centers, and policy support hubs for tribal development.
The event will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram, with attendance from Minister of State Shri Durgadas Uikey, NITI Aayog member Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Odisha Minister Shri Nityananda Gond, and Ministry Secretary Smt. Ranjana Chopra, along with senior central and state government officials. The inaugural session will feature the signing of an MoU between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi.
A major highlight is the launch of TribeX, a first-of-its-kind digital learning platform dedicated to tribal arts, culture, languages, traditional knowledge, and skill development. This comprehensive digital learning ecosystem aims to preserve, document, and disseminate India's tribal heritage through structured learning, digital repositories, and technology-enabled knowledge sharing while creating opportunities for research, cultural exchange, and sustainable livelihoods.
The workshop will bring together approximately 200 participants from Tribal Research Institutes, State Tribal Welfare Departments, academic and research institutions, technology organizations, NGOs, development partners, and industry experts. Day one will focus on assessing current TRI functioning through state presentations and four thematic breakout groups covering TRIs as knowledge centers, research for tribal development, technology integration including GIS and AI, and institutional strengthening. Day two will consolidate recommendations into a National TRI Strengthening Roadmap, featuring expert panel discussions and technology presentations from CDAC, Wadhwani AI, IIT Delhi, IIT Bhubaneswar, Deloitte, and Sarvam AI on emerging technologies' role in tribal research and governance.
The workshop will conclude with the adoption of the Bhubaneswar Declaration, outlining a shared vision for strengthening Tribal Research Institutes through institutional reforms, research excellence, technology integration, collaboration, and capacity building to support evidence-based tribal development nationwide.