TN top state in tribal development, Kallakurichi best district
Jun 10, 2026, 09.05 PM IST
Trichy: Tamil Nadu has been ranked as the best-performing state in the country, and Kallakurichi as the best-performing district by the Union ministry of tribal affairs for implementing Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP).
The recognition was announced at a tribal development conclave hosted by the ministry in New Delhi, where the performance of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and programmes across states was assessed. Tamil Nadu implements its ITDP strategy across nine designated areas spread over seven districts with a significant scheduled tribe population. “Tamil Nadu has been ranked as the best state and highlighted as a model for others to emulate. Across parameters including administrative efficiency, scheme coordination, data management, protection of tribal rights, livelihood enhancement, institutional capacity, risk management and project implementation, Tamil Nadu scored highly. It was also designated as a ‘Data-Driven Tribal Mission Unit’,” director of tribal welfare S Annadurai said.
Kallakurichi district was given the ‘Best Performing ITDP/ITDA’ award which carried a cash prize of ₹5 lakh at the conclave, thanks to a series of initiatives. They included boosting tapioca production and establishing value-addition units in the Kalvarayan Hills, setting up solar-powered millet processing units for tribal women’s self-help groups, providing skill development training to tribal youth and facilitating their employment in leading companies. A department statement cited the notable success achieved by students in higher education and entrance examinations. It also cited formation of horticultural producer groups for tribal farmers, and securing land rights by issuing 9,547 forest rights titles under Forest Rights Act.
In recent years, tribal students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and other institutions have excelled academically, with many cracking competitive examinations and securing admission to premier institutes. As many as 48 tribal students have joined Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Noida, this year, compared to 11 last year, an official said.
The recognition was announced at a tribal development conclave hosted by the ministry in New Delhi, where the performance of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and programmes across states was assessed. Tamil Nadu implements its ITDP strategy across nine designated areas spread over seven districts with a significant scheduled tribe population. “Tamil Nadu has been ranked as the best state and highlighted as a model for others to emulate. Across parameters including administrative efficiency, scheme coordination, data management, protection of tribal rights, livelihood enhancement, institutional capacity, risk management and project implementation, Tamil Nadu scored highly. It was also designated as a ‘Data-Driven Tribal Mission Unit’,” director of tribal welfare S Annadurai said.
Kallakurichi district was given the ‘Best Performing ITDP/ITDA’ award which carried a cash prize of ₹5 lakh at the conclave, thanks to a series of initiatives. They included boosting tapioca production and establishing value-addition units in the Kalvarayan Hills, setting up solar-powered millet processing units for tribal women’s self-help groups, providing skill development training to tribal youth and facilitating their employment in leading companies. A department statement cited the notable success achieved by students in higher education and entrance examinations. It also cited formation of horticultural producer groups for tribal farmers, and securing land rights by issuing 9,547 forest rights titles under Forest Rights Act.
In recent years, tribal students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and other institutions have excelled academically, with many cracking competitive examinations and securing admission to premier institutes. As many as 48 tribal students have joined Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Noida, this year, compared to 11 last year, an official said.