- Why in news
- On 20 August 2026, PIB published an explainer on the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM). It reports 4,172 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras sanctioned and 87 Minor Forest Produce items under MSP, with figures as on 31 July 2026.
- What it is
- PMJVM is a Ministry of Tribal Affairs mission that organises tribal Minor Forest Produce gatherers into self-help groups and community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. It combines MSP-based procurement, skilling, processing equipment, working capital and market links. The Van Dhan Yojana of 2018 forms the base of the VDVK model.
- Van Dhan Yojana
- Launched on 14 April 2018 and now a part of PMJVM; it is the base of the VDVK model.
- MSP for MFP
- MSP is notified for 87 MFP items under PMJVM. TRIFED buys at the pre-determined price whatever the market price.
- Role of TRIFED
- TRIFED is mandated with marketing and development of tribal products. It procures through state implementing agencies such as tribal cooperatives and forest development corporations.
Don’t confuse with PMJVM vs Van Dhan Yojana: Van Dhan Yojana (2018) is a part of the wider PMJVM mission (2021-22), not a separate scheme.
Don’t confuse with FRA 2006 vs PESA 1996: FRA recognises forest rights and the right to procure and sell MFP; PESA gives Gram Panchayats in Scheduled Areas ownership of MFP.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Raises tribal income from MFP by cutting out middlemen and adding value locally.
- Most collectors are women, so it supports tribal women's financial empowerment.
Problems
- Only 2,911 of 4,172 sanctioned VDVKs are functional, showing an implementation gap.
- Reported sales of about Rs 168 crore are small against 12.48 lakh members linked.
Way forward
- Make the sanctioned VDVKs functional with working capital and steady market links.
- Modernise haats and use TRIFED market intelligence so tribals bargain better.
Put in your answer
MFP as income: Tribals get 20-40% of annual income from Minor Forest Produce, yet often sell to middlemen at low prices.
VDVK progress: 4,172 VDVKs sanctioned and 2,911 functional, with about Rs 168 crore sales (31 July 2026).
MFP procurement: Since 2013-14, states have procured 2,67,954 MT of MFP worth Rs 693.98 crore under the scheme.
- 2026Mains GS2 · Q6Whether tribal development policy reflects socially grounded, equity-based governance aspirations
- 2025Mains GS1 · Q20Whether tribal development centres on displacement and rehabilitation axes
- 2016Mains GS1 · Q10Why tribals are called Scheduled Tribes; constitutional provisions for their upliftment
- 2012Prelims Q1Gram Sabha role under PESA, including minor forest produce ownership
- 2019Prelims Q55Bamboo as minor forest produce and FRA ownership rights for forest dwellers
- 2021Prelims Q63Tamarind and moringa facts, including tamarind as minor forest produce
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is formed by clustering 15 self-help groups of about 300 tribal members.
- 2.TRIFED purchases non-timber forest produce under the scheme at the prevailing market price.
- 3.The Forest Rights Act, 2006 gives tribal Gram Panchayats ownership rights over minor forest produce, while PESA 1996 only recognises the right to collect it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 5
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Under PMJVM, a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is formed by clustering 15 self-help groups of about 300 tribal members.
True. A VDVK is a cluster of 15 SHGs with about 300 members.
2.The Van Dhan Yojana, launched in April 2018, is a part of PMJVM and forms the foundation of the VDVK model.
True. Van Dhan Yojana (14 April 2018) is a part of PMJVM and underlies the VDVK model.
3.TRIFED purchases minor forest produce under the scheme at the prevailing market price.
False. TRIFED buys at the pre-determined MSP regardless of the market price.
4.PMJVM is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
True. The scheme sits with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which also hosts the guidelines.
5.Under the Forest Rights Act, minor forest produce includes bamboo, tendu leaves, honey and lac, but not timber.
True. FRA defines MFP as all non-timber forest produce of plant origin, including bamboo, honey, lac and tendu leaves.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.