Centre of Excellence on PESA Launched at IGNTU to Empower Tribal Governance

In a major milestone for tribal self-governance and inclusive development, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 24, 2025, in Bhopal to establish a Centre of Excellence on the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA).

This pioneering initiative is aimed at bolstering the institutional framework for effective implementation of PESA across India’s tribal heartlands. The Centre, to be based at IGNTU, Amarkantak, is envisioned as a national hub for research, participatory planning, capacity building, policy advocacy, and documentation of indigenous governance practices.

Senior Officials and Launch of PESA Compendium

The MoU ceremony was graced by key dignitaries including:

• Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj

• Smt. Dipali Rastogi, Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Madhya Pradesh

• Smt. Mukta Shekhar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj

• Prof. Byomakesh Tripathy, Vice-Chancellor (I/c), IGNTU

A significant moment of the event was the launch of the “PESA in Action: Stories of Strength and Self-Governance” compendium, which captures best practices, field-level innovations, and success stories from PESA-implementing states. This compendium is expected to serve as a learning tool for functionaries, researchers, and community leaders.

IGNTU as a Strategic Partner for Tribal Empowerment

In his address, Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj highlighted the enduring value of resilient institutions in shaping meaningful policy outcomes. He noted that IGNTU was selected as the strategic partner for this mission given its geographical location in a tribal-majority area and its institutional commitment to tribal education and development.

The partnership is initially set for three years, with the expectation of long-term engagement. The objective is to enable deep, sustainable interventions across India’s Fifth Schedule Areas, covering several states including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.

Vision and Mandate of the Centre of Excellence

The Centre of Excellence is envisioned as a catalyst for strengthening the grassroots implementation of the PESA Act, by empowering tribal communities to exercise their constitutional rights and realize self-governance in a culturally grounded and sustainable manner.

Core Objectives:

• Address the persistent implementation gaps in PESA

• Build institutional and community capacity in Scheduled Areas

• Act as a nucleus for innovation and documentation of tribal governance practices

• Align PESA objectives with Localised Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs)

Key Functions:

• Disseminate awareness about PESA rights and provisions

• Facilitate participatory Gram Panchayat Development Planning (GPDP) in tribal areas

• Build leadership among tribal elected representatives, especially women

• Document customary laws, medicinal knowledge, and cultural practices

• Develop IEC materials and conduct action-based research

• Support and mentor State and District-level PESA Resource Centres

Panel Discussion and Strategic Dialogues

The event included a panel discussion titled “Strengthening PESA through Capacity Building, Research, and Institutional Support”, where experts discussed how robust institutions like the Centre of Excellence can anchor the spirit of PESA by:

• Enhancing community knowledge of their constitutional and legal rights

• Bridging the gap between policy and ground realities

• Enabling community-led governance in tribal regions

Panelists called for greater synergy between academic institutions, civil society, and administrative bodies to make the Centre a model of collaborative tribal development.

Expected Long-Term Outcomes

The Centre of Excellence is poised to deliver the following key outcomes:

• Improved PESA implementation at the grassroots level

• Regular training modules for government officials and elected members

• Public campaigns using locally relevant IEC tools

• Institutional platforms for indigenous research and policy feedback

• National-level best practice models for replication across other Scheduled Areas

Upholding the Spirit of the Constitution and Vision of Viksit Bharat

The initiative reflects the Government of India's commitment to democratic decentralization, as enshrined in the Constitution. The PESA Act recognizes the unique identity, traditions, and socio-political structures of India’s tribal communities. By operationalizing this Centre, the government is taking a decisive step to translate the letter and spirit of the PESA Act into effective, on-the-ground governance systems.

The Centre will also contribute to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, by enabling tribal communities to be active participants in India’s development journey, preserving their knowledge systems while ensuring their full inclusion in national progress.