Govt eases Hindi requirement for Eklavya school staffer exam, Pg12.

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has eased Hindi competency norms for staff recruitment in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
• Candidates now need to score an aggregate of 12 marks in English, Hindi, and a regional language combined in the preliminary written exam.
• The relaxed norms were issued by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) in the 2025 EMRS Staff Selection Exam guidelines.
• This relaxation applies to TGT candidates and female staff nurse positions, but Hindi competency remains for post-graduate teachers.
• There are 722 sanctioned EMRS, with 479 functional and 235 under construction, serving 1,46,540 students with a staff of 13,437.
• NESTS has advertised 7,267 vacancies in the latest recruitment drive.

Detailed Insights:

• The change addresses concerns about regional representation in EMRS staffing, ensuring proficiency in one language isn't a barrier.
• In 2023, minimum marks in Hindi were mandatory for TGT candidates, even if they chose a regional language, a requirement now relaxed.
• Andhra Pradesh raised concerns about the language competency issue during a dialogue between the Tribal Affairs Ministry and state tribal departments.
• Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar have independent recruitment processes as they haven't signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NESTS.
• EMRS were introduced in 1997-98 to provide quality education for tribal students in remote areas, mirroring Navodaya Vidyalayas.
• In 2018-19, the scheme was revamped as a central sector scheme, mandating an EMRS in every block with over 50% Scheduled Tribe population.
• The exam will be conducted in English and Hindi, ensuring wider accessibility for applicants from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Schools for tribal students in remote areas, providing education and boarding.
• National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS): Autonomous body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs responsible for EMRS staff recruitment.
• Central Sector Scheme: A scheme funded and implemented by the Union Government.