The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Motors Limited to offer skill-linked education and employment opportunities to students passing out of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). The agreement will remain effective for five years.
Under this collaboration, eligible Class 12 students from EMRSs will be enrolled in the Tata Motors Kaushalya Programme. Jharkhand, with more than 70 EMRSs across districts such as Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, West Singhbhum, and Dumka, is among the key states covered under the initiative.
Students aged 18 to 23 years, with at least 60 per cent marks in Class 10 and currently pursuing or completing Class 12 from EMRSs, will be considered for enrollment. The program includes a Diploma in Engineering, on-the-job training, classroom learning through partner institutions, and structured assessments aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
Enrolled students will receive a monthly stipend, subsidised meals and transport, uniforms, personal protective equipment, and insurance coverage. High-performing students may pursue higher education through industry-academic tie-ups such as BITS Pilani’s Work Integrated Learning Program.
Tata Motors will provide placement assistance after course completion under the “One Trainee, One Job” policy. Students may be placed at various TML manufacturing and service units, including its Jamshedpur facility.
A Joint Review Committee, with members from both NESTS and Tata Motors, will oversee the implementation of the program.
According to official estimates, the initiative is expected to benefit over 50,000 tribal students from EMRSs across 28 states and 8 union territories. Jharkhand’s EMRS students will be among those included in the first phase of implementation.