India Launches Largest-Ever Tribal Empowerment Campaign — DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA)

India has introduced the DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA) or the biggest ever tribal empowerment initiative in the history of the country. Crossing 1 lakh tribal villages and PVTG settlements in 31 states and UTs, the campaign will target to include more than 5.5 crore tribal citizens and make these all-inclusive government welfare schemes. It will be launched on June 15, 2025, and completed on July 15, 2025, as it will cater to the pressing needs of the tribal communities by offering essential services, including the Aadhaar enrolment process, the Ayushman Bharat cards scheme, the PM-Kisan registration process, etc. The promotion also celebrates Bhagwan Birsa Munda the leader of the tribal pride and struggle.

Context

The DAJA campaign in India is empowering 5.5 crores of tribal citizens in 31 states/UTs by providing them the government services at their tribal village itself. The effort is a celebration of being tribal and inclusion with the support of grass-roots involvement and culture affirming.

Key Points 

Launches & Coverage:

• Release date: June 15, 2025

• Coverage: 1 lakh + tribal villages and PVTG habitation in 550+ districts in 31 states/UTs

• Target Group: More than 5.5 crore tribal citizens

• Completion: Expected in July 15, 2025

Objective:

• Empower the tribal communities by door step delivery of welfare schemes such as Aadhaar, Ayushman Bharat, PM-Kisan, Ujjwala, Jan Dhan.

Key Achievements 

• 53+ lakh tribal citizens covered

• More than 22,000 Tribal Empowerment Camps organized

• 1.38 lakh enrolments of Aadhar

• Ayushman Bharat cards maintained in thousands of numbers

• More than 46,000 PM-Kisan registrations

• 22,000 and above Ujjwala registrations

• Jan dhan accounts opened 32,000 and above

Focus Areas of Theme:

• Welfare Saturation- Assuring all entitlements to eligible tribal households.

• Cultural inclusion: Tribal art, language and outreach in local dialects

• Options provided within incentives: FRA, pensions, start up, legal support

Pillars of Governance:

• Janbhagidari: Leadership and involvement of tribal community

• Saturation: 100 percent of the eligible beneficiaries

• Cultural Inclusion: Enhancing tribal identity and Tribal heritage

• Convergence: Partnership between the ministry, CSOs and the youth

• The last mile delivery: Services in furthest tribal regions

Leadership & Participation:

• Opening by Shri Jayant Chaudhary and Smt. Savitri Thakur

• Support at the local level- by such leaders as Shri Mangubhai Patel & Shri Devendra Fadnavis

• Participation of over 700 tribal groups and 75 PVTGs

Cultural Activities:

• Folk expo, handicraft expo, tribal food festivals

• The youth and civil society was instrumental in execution

History & Worth:

• Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh is part of it.

• Homenaje a Bhagwan Birsa Munda (DhartiAaba)

• Fits in the PM desire of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas to make the tribals the center of the development of India

Conclusion

The DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA) has become a landmark in the processes of tribal empowerment in India, with the aim of inclusion, self-dependence, and social participation of tribals. The campaign is not only empowering the tribal women, youth and their families; but also it is celebrating their heritage and contribution as Indians to the country by giving them direct connection to the government welfare schemes. It is an effort to restate that the government is true to its cause to be an inclusive government and respect that of the tribe in the Indian saga of development.