Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada 2026: 302 Projects and Digital Platforms for Tribal Welfare

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The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will observe Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada from 1 to 15 November 2026, culminating in Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on 15 November, the birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The fortnight is a focused drive to accelerate the Ministry's flagship programmes, take benefits to tribal families at the last mile, and build awareness of schemes and entitlements among tribal communities, students and citizens.

On Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, over 300 projects for tribal communities across States will be taken up, with 228 ready for inauguration and 74 for foundation stone laying. These include a new Tribal Research Institute building in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ropuiliani Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum at Kelsih, Mizoram. Two national digital initiatives will also be launched: the Jan-HIT (Janjatiya Health Intelligence and Technology) Portal, developed with ICMR, covering tribe-disaggregated health data in 20 States, and the National FRA Digital Platform, which will bring the entire process of forest rights claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, from Gram Sabha submission to digitally signed titles, onto a single system.

What is the Forest Rights Act, 2006?

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, commonly called the Forest Rights Act, was enacted to recognise and vest forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded. The Act provides a framework for recognising individual rights to cultivated land in forest areas and community rights over common property resources. It empowers the Gram Sabha as the primary authority to initiate the process of determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights. The law was framed after years of advocacy and followed the recommendations of the National Advisory Council and a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

What is the background of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas?

The Government of India designated 15 November as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in 2021 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda and honour the contribution of tribal heroes to India's freedom struggle. The 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh in 2024–25, with over 28 national-level events and more than 2 lakh activities that drew over 3.8 crore participants.

What are the key events and outreach activities planned?

On 12 November, approximately 200 students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools will interact with the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Rani Durgavati Adivasi Mahila Sammelan on 14 November will bring together 500 tribal women entrepreneurs from 30 States/UTs. A tribal healers capacity building conclave with around 1,500 traditional healers from 9 States/UTs was held on 1 and 2 November in Hyderabad, under a programme to train and certify 1 lakh healers. The Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan is training about 1.54 lakh Adi Karmayogi Volunteers across 76,963 villages through State Administrative Training Institutes. Scholarship Access Camps in 73 districts are assisting students with applications and Aadhaar seeding.

What are the digital platforms and their purpose?

The Jan-HIT Portal, developed with ICMR, is India's first platform for tribe-disaggregated health data, covering 20 States. The National FRA Digital Platform will bring the entire process of forest rights claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, from Gram Sabha submission to digitally signed titles, onto a single system. These platforms aim to improve data-driven policy and streamline forest rights recognition.