The Government has proposed an amendment to the Central Universities Act of 2009. This new Bill
titled, The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, proposes the establishment of the Sammakka
Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu District, Telangana. This initiative is also in alignment with
the provisions outlined in the Thirteenth Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014.1
● The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2023 seeks to provide for a provision to establish a tribal
university in the state of Telangana. With the insertion of clause 3G, the Bill aims to address the
longstanding need for a central university in Telangana as mandated in the XIII Schedule of the Andhra
Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014. The proposed university is named Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal
University after the tribal goddesses Samakka and Sarakka, known as the goddess of courage and
sacrifice.3 The proposed Bill further states that the jurisdiction of the Tribal University will extend to the
whole of the State of Telangana and funds of Rs. 889.07 crore will be allocated for setting up the
university.
● For ages, the tribal population has faced significant challenges in accessing higher education. According
to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2021, the literacy rate in the tribal population was notably lower than
the national average, standing at 59% compared to the overall rate of 73%.4 This educational disparity
further exacerbates the struggle for higher education, with enrollment rates in higher education
institutions being disproportionately low among tribal students. Furthermore, the Gross Enrollment
Ratio (GER) in Telangana was 7.8%, which is substantially lower than the national GER of 18.9%, as per the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-21.5. The establishment of Sammakka Sarakka
Central Tribal University, therefore, will address the huge regional and educational gaps for the tribal
population of the country in general and Telangana in particular.
● The proposed University will not only enhance the access and infrastructure for the higher education of
the tribal population but will also create avenues of advanced knowledge and research opportunities.
Making significant progress in maintaining and advancing tribal art, traditional knowledge systems, and
culture will also be a priority of this University. It will entail planning cultural events, providing classes
on tribal languages, arts, and crafts, and bringing indigenous knowledge systems into the curriculum.
● This University will play a crucial role in the vocational and skill development training of the tribal
population. This is particularly important in empowering tribal youth with the skills needed for
employment opportunities, thereby contributing towards generation employment within tribal areas.
● The establishment of a Central Tribal University, therefore, is not only an avenue for educational
opportunities for the tribal students but is a great step forward in the societal and economic
empowerment of the tribal communities across the country.
1PIB: Cabinet approved Amendment to the Central Universities Act, 2009 for setting up of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in the State of Telangana https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx PRID=1964280#:~:text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20chaired%20by,at%20Mulugu%20District%20in%20the
2 The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduced in the Lok Sabha
3 The Hindu (Oct,2023), Telangana to get Central Tribal University soon, accessed at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/telangana-to-get-central-tribaluniversity-soon/article67381153.ece
4 PIB (Sep,2020), Government is implementing a number of schemes/programmes to increase literacy rates of STs, accessed at:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspxPRID=1657743#:~:text=285%20EMRSs%20are%20currently%20functional,73%25%20at%20all%20India%20level.
5 Ministry of Education, All Indian Survey for Higher Education Report 2020-21, accessed at:
https://aishe.gov.in/aishe/BlankDCF/AISHE%20Final%20Report%202020-21.pdf