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Social welfare & Empowerment

Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organisations Working for the Welfare of Scheduled Tribes

The Central Sector Scheme “Scheme of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organisations Working for the Welfare of Scheduled Tribes” was launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

- Broad Sector-wise indicative categories of projects for which grant-in-aid will be considered are as follows: | SectorsCategory of ProjectsEducation1. Running and maintenance of Non-Residential Schools/ Residential Schools /Hostels.Education2. Sponsoring tribal girls from the North Eastern States viz. Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and from Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep for study in reputed educational institutions.Health3. Running/maintenance of hospitals/dispensaries with 10 or more beds.Health4. Mobile DispensaryLivelihood5. Enhancement of livelihood and income generation opportunities through infrastructure support and capacity building in sectors like agriculture, fishery, dairy and animal husbandry, water conservation, and organic/natural farming.2. In addition to the above, during natural calamities, disasters, or pandemic, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs may provide emergency health services including the provision of food and water through NGOs in the affected area for which norms may be decided in consultation with IFD with approval of Minister, Ministry Tribal Affairs. | - Priority will be given to programmes/projects that benefit Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), LWE-affected districts, and tribal populations in remote or difficult areas. | - Under the scheme, grants are given to Organizations as per norms fixed for different projects given in Annexure-1, subject to the ceilings for recurring and non-recurring grants.

Who can apply

The applicant organization should be a registered voluntary organization (VO) /non-governmental organization (NGO) engaged in the conduct and promotion of social welfare of STs.; The applicant organization (NGO) should be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860/State Society Registration/Public Trust or Institutions either under a statute or as a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or any other act.; The applicant organization must register with the NGO-Darpan portal of NITI Aayog ([www.ngodarpan.gov.in](https://ngodarpan.gov.in/index.php/home)). 1. The organization should have experience of at least three years in running activities similar in the size and objectives of the project, for which the grants are sought.; The organization making an application for seeking grants would itself implement the projects without passing the grants to any different entity for managing the project.; The organization will agree to comply with the terms and conditions and sign a MoU with the Ministry as in [Annexure 2](https://ngo.tribal.gov.in/view-scheme-formats-doc?docType=schemeGuidelines). 1. The organization will open an Aadhaar-linked bank account in its name under the joint operation of the President and Secretary or their authorized signatories, in an authorized scheduled bank in respect of the grant in line with the instructions issued by the Government of India from time to time.; The organization should have PAN and TAN Numbers in its name and should have filed Income Tax Returns (ITR) for at least the last three years.; The organization needs to be registered under section 12A of the Income Tax Act.; The organization should not be facing bankruptcy nor facing inquiries or investigations for economic offences by CBI/ED/CBIC or any other Union/State Government agencies.; The organization should have the sound financial capacity to partially co-finance the project, as grants from the Ministry would be restricted to supporting the core activities only that have been defined in [Anexure-1](https://ngo.tribal.gov.in/view-scheme-formats-doc?docType=schemeGuidelines). 1. The organization shall submit details of its trustees, promoters, beneficial owners, and Management Committee along with PAN and Aadhaar number in the format given before the grant is considered.; The organization should not have been blacklisted by NITI Aayog/Union/State Ministries or Government organisations.; A minimum of at least 75 beneficiaries shall be the requirement for the commencement of the project. However, in exceptional cases, with due justification by the Tribal Welfare Department of the State Government, a project with a minimum of 25 ST students may be considered by the Ministry with the approval of Minister, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, for commencement of an educational project.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the objective of the scheme?

The prime objective of the scheme is to enhance the reach of welfare schemes of the Government and fill the gaps in service-deficient tribal areas, in sectors such as education, health, drinking water, agro-horticultural productivity, social security, etc. through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and to provide an environment for socioeconomic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs). Any other innovative activity having a direct impact on the socio-economic development or livelihood generation of STs may also be considered through voluntary efforts.

Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?

Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India

What are the Broad Sector-wise categories of projects for which grant-in-aid will be considered under the scheme?

Education, Health & Livelihood

What are the other conditions for which grant-in-aid can be considered under the scheme?

In addition, during natural calamities, disasters, or pandemic, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs may provide emergency health services including the provision of food and water through NGOs in the affected area for which norms may be decided in consultation with IFD with approval of Minister, Ministry Tribal Affairs.

Which type of projects will be given priority?

Priority will be given to programmes/projects that benefit Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), LWE-affected districts, and tribal populations in remote or difficult areas.

Which type of organization is eligible to apply under the scheme?

Any registered voluntary organization (VO) /non-governmental organization (NGO) engaged in the conduct and promotion of social welfare of STs is eligible to apply under the scheme.

Is it compulsory for an organization to be registered with NGO-Darpan portal of NITI Aayog?

Yes, the applicant organization must register with the NGO-Darpan portal of NITI Aayog.

How many years of experience required for the organization to apply under the scheme?

The organization should have experience of at least three years in running activities similar in the size and objectives of the project, for which the grants are sought.

How can an applicant organization apply under the scheme?

All grant proposals from new as well as ongoing NGOs shall have to be submitted through the NGO portal of the Ministry (https://ngo.tribal.gov.in/ngo-login). Physical proposals will not be entertained.