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News: The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment highlighted the SEED Scheme after covering over 1.10 lakh beneficiaries during 2025-26.
About Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)
- Launched in: The Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) was launched in February 2022.
- Implemented by: It is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment through the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC).
- Partner Agencies: National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), and Non-Government Organizations are the partner agencies.
- Aim: It aims to provide educational support, health insurance, livelihood opportunities and housing assistance for DNT, NT and SNT communities.
- Core Pillars:
- Educational Empowerment: It provides free coaching and financial assistance to support admission and employment opportunities.
- Health: It distributes Ayushman Cards and provides health insurance through PMJAY.
- Livelihood: It promotes income generation by forming Self Help Groups in DNT clusters.
- Land and Housing: It facilitates housing support under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and other government schemes.
About De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
- Historical Background: During the British rule, many communities were notified as “born criminals” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, and all members had to register with local magistrates.
- After Independence, this Act was repealed in 1952, and these communities became known as De-Notified Tribes (DNTs).
- Socio-economic Status: Nomadic and semi-nomadic communities are those who move from one place to another instead of living permanently in one place.
- Historically, these communities had no access to private land or home ownership.
- Status in India: Around 10% of India’s population belongs to DNT communities.
- As per the report of the National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, 1,235 communities have been identified as DNTs across the country.
- Institutional Support: The National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (Idate Commission) recommended measures for the development of these communities.
- Based on its recommendations, the Government constituted the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) in 2019 to formulate and implement welfare and development programmes.
