Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana helps tribal communities across India with support for education, livelihood, housing and village development. For the financial year 2026-27 the Union Budget has set aside around ₹5,700 crore for this scheme, so eligible tribal students and villagers can still get financial help and basic facilities.

Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana is an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, launched on 28 October 2014. It brings together several welfare schemes for Scheduled Tribes under one roof so that tribal families get complete support for education, health, housing, drinking water, livelihood and infrastructure, while their cultural heritage stays protected.

Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana - Introduction

The scheme works through a number of components. These include the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships for ST students, development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups through Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), support to Tribal Research Institutes, and village development under DhartiAaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which replaced the earlier Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana. If you belong to a Scheduled Tribe or live in a village with a large tribal population, you may be able to get benefits under one of these parts.

As of 10 August 2026, the scheme is running and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs keeps releasing funds to States and Union Territories for these activities. The main aim is to fill the gaps in basic facilities and study support for tribal communities across the country.

Key Information

Benefits

Pre-Matric Scholarship

Scheduled Tribe students studying in Standard IX and X can get a scholarship of ₹225 per month as day scholars and ₹525 per month as hostellers, paid for 10 months in a year. The money is given through the State Government or UT Administration.

Post-Matric Scholarship

Scheduled Tribe students studying in Class XI and above get help with their compulsory fees and a monthly scholarship of ₹230 to ₹1,200 depending on the course of study. This support helps students continue their higher studies.

Village Development

DhartiAaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, launched on 2 October 2024, covers 63,843 villages and aims to fill gaps in roads, schools, Anganwadi centres, health sub-centres, drinking water, drainage and waste management. The total outlay for this abhiyan is ₹79,156 crore, with a central share of ₹56,333 crore.

PVTG Development

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, launched on 15 November 2023, works for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group families and habitations. With an outlay of about ₹24,000 crore, it provides safe housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, better access to education, health, nutrition and road and telecom connectivity.

Tribal Research

The government gives financial support to States and Union Territories for Tribal Research Institutes to carry out research, documentation and training, and to preserve tribal art, culture and heritage.

Residential Education

Eklavya Model Residential Schools give quality education to Scheduled Tribe students from Class VI to XII in blocks with more than 50% tribal population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.

Eligibility

For Pre-Matric Scholarship

You should belong to a Scheduled Tribe, be studying in Standard IX or X, and your parental annual income from all sources should not be more than ₹2,50,000.

For Post-Matric Scholarship

You should belong to a Scheduled Tribe, be studying in Class XI or above, and your parental annual income should not be more than ₹2,50,000.

For PVTG Development

You should belong to a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group family or habitation to get help under PM JANMAN.

For Village Development

Villages with a large tribal population are chosen by the government for development under DhartiAaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan based on the gaps in basic facilities.

For Eklavya Model Residential Schools

You should be a Scheduled Tribe student seeking admission in Class VI to XII.

Application Process

Online Application for Scholarships

STEP 1 - Go to the National Scholarship Portal or the State Scholarship Portal chosen by your State Government for the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students.

STEP 2 - Register on the portal with your name, date of birth and mobile number to get login details.

STEP 3 - Log in and fill the application form for the Pre-Matric or Post-Matric Scholarship meant for ST students.

STEP 4 - Upload scanned copies of your Caste Certificate, Income Certificate and mark sheets in the required format and size.

STEP 5 - Check all the details and submit the form online before the deadline set by the State Government.

Application for Village and PVTG Development

STEP 1 - State Governments and UT administrations prepare proposals based on the needs of the identified villages and PVTG habitations.

STEP 2 - These proposals are sent to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for approval and release of funds.

STEP 3 - Once approved, the government releases money to the States for housing, infrastructure and connectivity work.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready when you apply for the scholarship:

• Caste Certificate to prove your Scheduled Tribe status.
• Income Certificate to show that your parental annual income is up to ₹2,50,000.
• Mark sheet of the last qualifying examination.
• Student identity card or bonafide certificate from your institution.
• Aadhaar card or proof of identity.
• Bank account details, including account number and IFSC code, for payment.
• Passport size photograph.
• Domicile certificate or proof of residence.

References

PIB Press Release on Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana

PIB Press Release PDF on Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana

FAQ's

Am I eligible for the Pre-Matric Scholarship if I am a Scheduled Tribe student in class nine or ten?

Yes, you can get the Pre-Matric Scholarship if you are studying in Standard IX or X and your parental annual income is not more than ₹2,50,000.

What is the income limit for parents to qualify for the Pre-Matric or Post-Matric Scholarship?

The parental annual income from all sources should not be more than ₹2,50,000 for you to be eligible for these scholarships.

How much scholarship do I get under the Pre-Matric Scholarship?

Day scholars get ₹225 per month and hostellers get ₹525 per month, paid for 10 months in a year through the State Government or UT Administration.

Does the Post-Matric Scholarship cover my compulsory fees?

Yes, compulsory fees charged by your institution are reimbursed up to the limit fixed by the State fee committee, and you also get a monthly scholarship of ₹230 to ₹1,200 depending on your course.

Which scheme now handles village development under Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana?

DhartiAaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, launched on 2 October 2024, now handles village development and has replaced the earlier Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana.

Which academic levels are covered under the residential school scheme for tribal students?

Eklavya Model Residential Schools give quality education to Scheduled Tribe students from Class VI to Class XII.