EKLAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS (EMRS) EXPANSION

• EMRS is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs providing free, quality residential education (Classes VI–XII) to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children on the lines of Navodaya Vidyalayas, with parity for boys/girls and sports/skill focus.
• Implemented through NESTS (National Education Society for Tribal Students), an autonomous body set up in 2019.
• Target: an EMRS in every block with ≥50% ST population and ≥20,000 tribal persons (Census 2011) — announced in Union Budget 2018–19.
• UPSC relevance: GS-II (welfare schemes, vulnerable sections), GS-I (tribal society), and current-affairs MCQ fodder.