Centre & UNICEF Launch Career Counselling for Eklavya Students

Centre, UNICEF Launch Career Counselling for Eklavya

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and UNICEF have launched TALASH, a digital platform providing aptitude tests, career counselling, and life skills training to 1.38 lakh students in over 470 Eklavya schools, empowering tribal youth’s education and career prospects.

About TALASH Programme:

• TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills, and Self-Esteem Hub) is a digital platform launched by NESTS and UNICEF for tribal students in Eklavya schools.
• It offers psychometric assessments, career counselling, and life skills training focused on problem-solving, communication, and emotional management.
• The platform will conduct a common aptitude test, generating a “career card” for each student with personalized career options.

Implementation and Support

• Currently, over 180 teachers across 75 schools have been trained; the programme aims for a nationwide rollout in all 470+ Eklavya Model Residential Schools by year-end.
• A dedicated portal for educators will provide resources to mentor and support students academically and personally.
• NESTS Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Srivastava highlighted the programme’s role in bridging educational gaps and nurturing future tribal leaders.

Collaborations and Future Plans

• NESTS has signed MoUs with Tata Motors and the Ex-Navodayan Foundation to provide coaching for competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET for Eklavya students.
• These initiatives aim to enhance tribal students’ access to higher education and professional opportunities, empowering them to achieve their full potential.