NMDC invites applications for tribal education schemes in Chhattisgarh

NMDC invites applications for tribal education schemes in Chhattisgarh

NMDC Limited, India’s largest iron ore producer, has invited applications for two fully sponsored educational initiatives aimed at empowering tribal youth in Chhattisgarh. These initiatives — the Balika Shiksha Yojana and the newly introduced Medical Technology Program — are part of the company’s ongoing commitment to inclusive growth and social development under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework.

The Balika Shiksha Yojana is designed specifically for tribal girls belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category from the districts of Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma, Kondagaon, Bijapur, and Narayanpur. Through this scheme, NMDC is offering full financial support for professional nursing education. A total of 200 seats are available across two programs — 110 seats for the four-year B.Sc. Nursing course and 90 seats for the three-year General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) course. These courses will be conducted at reputed institutes such as the Apollo School of Nursing, Yashoda School of Nursing, and KIMS College of Nursing, all located in Hyderabad.

The initiative will cover all expenses, including tuition fees, hostel accommodation, and academic costs, with an investment of ₹12 to ₹15 lakh per student. To be eligible, applicants must belong to the ST category and come from families with an annual income not exceeding ₹72,000. The application deadline for this programme is June 28, 2025.

NMDC has also launched a Medical Technology Program in partnership with Apollo University, Chittoor. This fully sponsored programme is open to ST students from the Dantewada and Bastar districts. A total of 90 seats are being offered, with 60 percent reserved for girls and 40 percent for boys.

Under this initiative, selected students will receive full sponsorship to pursue specialized B.Sc. programmes in Emergency Medical Technology, Medical Lab Technology, Anaesthesiology and Operation Theatre Technician, Imaging Technology, Physician Assistant, and Renal Dialysis Technology. Like the nursing programme, this initiative also carries an investment of ₹12 to ₹15 lakh per student and covers all educational and residential expenses. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2025.

For more than six decades, NMDC has played a key role in the development of Chhattisgarh through its mining operations and community-focused initiatives. These latest educational programmes are expected to open new career pathways for tribal youth, enabling them to acquire professional qualifications and build sustainable livelihoods.