Tribal students from Manipur’s Ukhrul district have been given a golden opportunity to step into a new academic world, thanks to Delhi University’s latest initiative — the Janajati Immersive Holistic Intervention for Novel Development (JAIHIND) scheme. This newly launched programme is specially designed to support and empower school students from Scheduled Tribes by enhancing their readiness for higher education and developing life skills that go beyond the classroom.
The first edition of the scheme, running from June 17 to June 29, includes 25 academically bright students — 13 boys and 12 girls — all belonging to the Tangkhul Naga tribe. These students were carefully selected based on their academic merit from four government schools in the Ukhrul district of Manipur.
Purpose of the JAIHIND Scheme
Delhi University’s JAIHIND scheme is aimed at students from classes 9 to 12, with a strong focus on preparing them for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). But the vision goes deeper — it’s about giving tribal youth the tools they need to build sustainable livelihoods and gain access to quality higher education, despite their remote geographical backgrounds.
Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh underlined this objective during the launch, stating, “We want to prepare students from remote tribal areas not just for CUET, but for life. Through this scheme, they will learn practical skills, gain exposure to university life, and realise their full potential.”
A Rare Learning Experience in Delhi
The programme kicked off with a special launch event at Delhi University, graced by Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, as the chief guest. Having previously served as the deputy commissioner of Ukhrul, Joshi spoke to the students with empathy and insight. “I understand the challenges you face. This programme will open new doors and perspectives for you,” he said, calling it a “golden opportunity” for firsthand exposure to Delhi and higher academic environments.
Students will participate in workshops, cultural visits, skill-building sessions and interactive classes, giving them a taste of life in a large educational institution and helping them dream bigger for their future.
Locally Relevant Skills for Real-World Impact
One of the unique strengths of the JAIHIND programme is its context-specific curriculum. Instead of a generic academic plan, the scheme incorporates practical training that is especially useful for students from hilly and remote areas. For example, since the Ukhrul region lacks natural still water bodies, students are being trained in artificial container-based fish farming and fish feed production. These are sustainable skills that they can take back to their communities and build upon.
Prof K Ratnabali, Dean of Academics, shared how the programme reflects a thoughtful approach. “This is not just about making them exam-ready, it’s about life readiness — learning how to think critically, adapt, and create new possibilities for themselves,” she said.
Support for the Road Ahead
Beyond the two-week residential programme, students were also informed about government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalakshmi Yojana, which provides financial assistance to deserving students who want to pursue higher education but face economic hurdles.
A Step Toward Inclusive Education
By launching the JAIHIND scheme, Delhi University is showing its commitment to inclusivity in education. Tribal students, often underrepresented in top academic spaces, now have a platform to grow, learn and dream. For many of these students, this is not just a short visit to Delhi — it’s the beginning of a larger journey.
As the first batch immerses themselves in this transformative experience, the hope is that this small step will ripple into larger change — one that makes education truly accessible to every corner of the country.
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