A total of 153 tribal students from Tamil Nadu won admission to India's leading higher education institutes in 2025-2026. S. Annadurai, Director of the Tribal Welfare Department, revealed this at a recent event in Erode. Addressing a counselling and career guidance programme at Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Mr. Annadurai stated, "The government is committed to improving access to higher education for tribal students." He added the department aims for at least 40% of tribal students to enter top national institutions by 2026 and to reduce the higher education dropout rate to zero. The department launched targeted initiatives, including counselling in 36 tribal schools across Tamil Nadu’s 14 zones. Education experts and career counsellors guided parents through admission processes and welfare schemes. Senior district officials supervised each programme. Most beneficiaries are first-generation graduates with parents working as daily-wage labourers. Many come from families recently freed from bonded labour or single-parent homes. Challenges like social attitudes and early marriage remain a hurdle. Highlighting government scholarship benefits and welfare measures, officials helped clear doubts and paperwork. Parents collectively pledged strong support for their children's higher education dreams. This new mission reveals Tamil Nadu’s strong push to triple tribal student admissions in the coming years and empower them with education and opportunity.