The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) is an Indian Government ministry charged with overall development of Scheduled Tribe communities of India by providing them education, scholarships, grants to create more health infrastructure in tribal communities, preservation of Tribal Culture & languages and direct cash transfer schemes to economically backward tribal families.
In 1999, the ministry came into being following the split from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This move aimed to provide a more targeted approach to address the holistic socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs), who are among the most marginalized in Indian society. Prior to the ministry’s establishment, tribal affairs were managed by various ministries.
- As a Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs known as Tribal Division since after independence up to September 1985.
- Ministry of Welfare: From September 1985 to May 1998.
- Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment from May 1998 to September 1999.
