ONGC–NSTFDC MoU to Empower Over 35,000 Tribal Students

In a significant step towards inclusive nation-building, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) to strengthen infrastructure and learning outcomes in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across India. The collaboration reflects a growing synergy between the government and the corporate sector to empower tribal youth through education, technology, and targeted capacity building.

The MoU was exchanged on 5 January 2026 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, ONGC, and NSTFDC. Speaking at the occasion, Secretary of Tribal Affairs Smt. Ranjana Chopra underscored the long-term impact of the initiative, stating, “By strengthening education, we sow the seeds of lasting development and build the foundation of an empowered society.”

CSR-Led Investment in Tribal Education

Under this CSR-led initiative, ONGC has sanctioned ₹28 crore to support comprehensive development interventions in 144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools located across 11 States and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

The programme is designed to benefit over 35,000 tribal students, ensuring they gain access to modern educational tools and supportive learning environments comparable to mainstream institutions.

Key Focus Areas of the Project

The CSR-funded project adopts a holistic approach to student development, covering both academic and well-being dimensions:

• Digital Learning Infrastructure: Upgrading classrooms with modern digital education tools to bridge the learning gap and enhance academic delivery.

• Health and Hygiene for Girl Students: Installation of sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators to promote dignity, safety, and continuity in education.

• Teacher Capacity Building: Structured training programmes to help educators adopt innovative teaching methodologies and digital pedagogy.

• Career Counselling and Entrepreneurship Training: Mentorship programmes aimed at broadening students’ career horizons and nurturing entrepreneurial thinking from an early age.

Strengthening the EMRS Vision

The Eklavya Model Residential Schools scheme, a central sector initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s efforts to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe students. With 499 EMRS currently functional across the country, these schools play a crucial role in nurturing a new generation of confident, skilled, and socially aware tribal youth.

By integrating corporate expertise and CSR resources into the EMRS ecosystem, the ONGC–NSTFDC partnership enhances the scheme’s impact, ensuring that education is not limited to classrooms but extends to life skills, employability, and long-term empowerment.

Corporate–Government Collaboration for Viksit Bharat

The MoU also highlights a broader policy direction where public sector enterprises actively contribute to national development priorities beyond their core business operations. As a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, ONGC’s involvement signals how large corporates can play a transformative role in advancing social equity and inclusive growth.

This initiative aligns closely with the national vision of Viksit Bharat, where socio-economic development reaches the last mile and historically underserved communities are enabled to participate meaningfully in India’s growth story.

A Step Towards Equal Opportunity

By investing in education, health, and career readiness, the ONGC–NSTFDC collaboration goes beyond infrastructure creation—it builds aspirations, confidence, and opportunity for thousands of tribal students. As these young learners gain access to better resources and mentorship, the initiative promises to create a ripple effect, uplifting families, communities, and regions over the long term.

For India’s MSME ecosystem and policymakers alike, this partnership stands as a compelling example of how strategic CSR interventions can complement government programmes to deliver measurable social impact and sustainable development.