NESTS and UNICEF Launch ‘TALASH’ to Empower Tribal Youth Through EMRS.
National
On July 10, 2025, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with UNICEF India, launched TALASH—an innovative digital initiative named the Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-esteem Hub.
- The programme aims to transform the educational experience of tribal students by fostering holistic development at Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) across India.
- TALASH has been designed as a comprehensive platform for self-discovery, skill development, and career guidance tailored specifically for tribal youth. By combining digital tools with life-skills modules, it seeks to strengthen self-awareness, boost self-esteem, and enable informed decision-making among students enrolled in EMRSs.
- The scope of TALASH is vast: it is expected to benefit over 138,000 students studying in EMRSs across 28 states and 8 Union Territories, creating a truly national movement in inclusive education. During the launch, it was announced that the programme will roll out in a phased manner, with initial teacher training in 75 schools already completed.
Main Point :- (i) At present, 189 teachers from 75 EMRSs have been trained and are conducting TALASH sessions in their respective schools. By the end of 2025, the initiative aims to be operational across all EMRSs, offering regular digital guidance and mentoring to students.
(ii) The initiative aligns strongly with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing holistic development beyond academics. Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, NESTS Commissioner, stated that TALASH reflects a deep commitment to enabling tribal youth to "realize their full potential."
(iii) This partnership also leverages technology and evidence-based tools to reach remote and underserved areas, ensuring tribal students receive equal access to quality education and life-skills training. Regular feedback and evaluation mechanisms will allow the platform to be refined and adapted to students’ evolving needs.
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