ONGC signs MoU with NSTFDC to strengthen Eklavya Model Residential Schools
New Delhi: ONGC Ltd. signed an MoU with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation to strengthen Eklavya Model Residential Schools through CSR-funded infrastructure and education initiatives.
The agreement marked a major step towards empowering tribal students through career mentorship, digital education, and improved school infrastructure. ONGC operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, while NSTFDC functions under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential Schools to provide quality education to tribal students. Officials said the initiative aims to combine education, technology, and holistic development. At present, 499 EMRS are functional across the country.
The MoU was signed on January 5, 2026, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. Smt. Bismita Das, Deputy General Manager of NSTFDC, and Dr. Debasish Mukharjee, CSR Head of ONGC, exchanged the agreement.
The signing took place in the presence of Tribal Affairs Secretary Smt. Ranjana Chopra. Additional Secretary Sh. Manish Thakur, Joint Secretary Sh. Anant Prakash Pandey, NSTFDC CMD Sh. Roumuan Paite, and ONGC Director (HR) Sh. Manish Patil also attended.
ONGC NSTFDC MoU to benefit 35,000 tribal students
Under the CSR project, ONGC sanctioned ₹28 crore to strengthen digital learning infrastructure across 144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools. The initiative covers schools located in 11 States and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The project includes health and hygiene interventions for girl students through sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators. It also focuses on capacity building of teachers, career counselling, and entrepreneurship training for students.
Officials said the initiative would benefit more than 35,000 tribal students by improving access to equal educational opportunities. The programme also aims to prepare students for higher education and employment pathways.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Ranjana Chopra said strengthening education laid the foundation for lasting development. She added that such initiatives helped build an empowered and self-reliant society.
The initiative forms part of broader collaboration between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the corporate sector. Officials said the partnership supported socio-economic development of tribal communities and aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
