The country is set to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Indian Republic on January 26, 2024, and the government has invited 663 tribal students and teachers to attend celebrations in New Delhi and elsewhere. The contingent includes a total 589 students including 258 girls and 331 boys along with 74 teachers from 31 States/UTs. These students are beneficiaries of Pre-Matric Scholarship given by Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Students who had arrived on January 25 had an opportunity to visit PM house and a photo session with hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They also visited prominent historical monuments including Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple among others. These children will participate in the Republic Day celebrations on Kartavya Path and would be hosted by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Arjun Munda, for High tea in the evening.

589 Tribal Students getting Pre-Matric Scholarship invited as Special Guests for #RepublicDay Celebrations in New Delhi

Union Tribal Affairs Minister @MundaArjun to host the Students at his residence, on 26th January

First-ever visit for the tribal students, hailing from far… pic.twitter.com/yCERNuvwNU

— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 26, 2024

It should be mentioned that Pre-Matric Scholarship for Tribal Students is an open-ended Centrally Sponsored Scheme to cover tribal students studying in IX and X standard, with parental annual income not exceeding Rs. 2.50 lakhs. The scheme is implemented through respective States/UTs administration. A stipend ranging from Rs. 2250 to Rs. 5250 p.a., and a book allowance which ranges from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1000 p.a, is being given under the scheme. Divangjan students are eligible to receive an additional grant of Rs. 9,600 p.a.

The Pre-Matric Scholarship has benefited around 13 lakh tribal children annually over the last five years, from 2018–19 to 2022–2023. During 2022-23, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs released Rs. 357 crores, covering more than 12 lakh students. For the year 2023-24, the Ministry has allocated a budget of Rs. 411 crores for 31 States/UTs.