SEED Scheme for DNT Communities:
The Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) reported significant progress under the SEED Scheme during FY 2025–26, highlighting enhanced outreach and impact.
- SEED Scheme is a central sector scheme launched in February 2022 by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for economic empowerment of DNT, NT and SNT communities.
- The scheme has an outlay of ₹200 crore over five years (from 2021–22) and is implemented by DWBDNC through an online portal for registration and monitoring.
- It focuses on four major components:
- Free coaching for competitive exams and professional courses
- Health insurance coverage through PMJAY
- Livelihood support for income generation
- Housing assistance through schemes like PMAY
- DNT, NT and SNT Communities”
- The term De-notified Tribes refers to communities that were once classified under the Criminal Tribes Acts,1871 which were implemented by the British Government.
- The Acts were abolished by the Government of India in 1952, leading to the De-Notification of these communities.
- A few of these communities which were listed as de-notified were also nomadic.
- Nomadic and semi-nomadic communities are defined as those who move from one place to another rather than living in one place all the time.
- While most DNTs are spread across the SC, ST and OBC categories, some DNTs are not covered in any of the SC, ST or OBC categories.
- India has around 150 Denotified Tribes and ~500 Nomadic communities, accounting for nearly 10% of the population.
- Various committees (e.g., Kaka Kalelkar Commission, Mandal Commission, NCRWC) have highlighted their historical marginalisation, stigma and need for targeted welfare measures.
