Centre starts career counselling platform for Eklavya students in partnership with UNICEF

The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), which administers over 470 Eklavya schools for tribal students across the country, has started a programme with UNICEF to provide psychometric assessment, career-counselling, and training in life-skills and self-esteem for the 1.38 lakh students enrolled in these schools, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs said on Thursday (July 10, 2025).

Called TALASH — which stands for ‘Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills, and Self-Esteem Hub’ — the programme is an “innovative digital platform designed to equip [Eklavya Model Residential Schools] EMRS students with essential tools for self-discovery and career planning,” the Ministry said in a statement. “It promotes self-awareness, helps students make informed career choices, and builds essential life skills.”

A common aptitude test will be designed on this platform for students studying across the Eklavya schools, which will result in a “career card” for each student, suggesting the “best career options” each of them are suited for. This will be paired with career-counselling services and special sections to train them in life-skills, such as “problem solving, communication, and handling emotions”.

Also Read | About 600 Eklavya school students cracked IIT-JEE, NEET exams, says Centre

Mentoring support

There will also be a portal that will give educators the resources to “effectively mentor and support students in their academic and personal journeys”, the Ministry said. So far, over 180 teachers have been trained across 75 Eklavya schools; by the end of the year, the programme is expected to be rolled out in all Eklavya schools.

“TALASH is a testament to our commitment to providing tribal students with opportunities to realise their full potential. Through this initiative, we aim to bridge gaps in education and empower the next generation of tribal leaders,” said NESTS Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Srivastava.

Exam, employment coaching

NESTS has also signed two Memoranda of Understanding with Tata Motors and the Ex-Navodayan Foundation (an alumni group of the Jawahar Navodaya Schools) to start coaching programmes for Eklavya school students aiming to crack competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET. The other MoU with Tata Motors is meant to provide skill development and help find employment for Eklavya students completing Class 12.

The Tribal Affairs Ministry also officially launched its Adi Karmyogi programme in Bengaluru on Thursday, meant to “create a cadre of officers” who are motivated and dedicated to “working with a citizen-centric ideation and delivery-oriented approach”. 

The objective is to take capacity-building to about 20 lakh field-level stakeholders by creating a batch of trainers and master trainers at the State, District, and Block levels. The government said it intends to create 180 State level trainers, over 3,000 district level trainers, and over 15,000 block level trainers.