The Department of Welfare for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes was established in 24th October, 1970 with the objective of providing socio-economic development as well as overall development of the most under-privileged sections of the society namely, the Scheduled Tribes (STs) & Scheduled Castes (SCs).

In 1982 the Tribal Welfare Department started functioning as a separate Department with the objective of providing a more focused approach towards the integrated socio-economic development of scheduled tribes people. The State Government attaches topmost priority for over all development of scheduled tribes people and also implementing various developmental initiatives in a more systematic manner. Multifaceted new developmental programmes are being implemented in the State to meet up new challenges. Besides, existing schemes are also being reviewed and modified to suit the demand of time.

The Tribal Welfare Department shall be the nodal Department for overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for development of the Scheduled Tribes in the State.

The Department of Tribal Welfare is functioning under the overall guidance of the Hon’ble Minister, Tribal Welfare Department and the Principal Secretary/ Secretary, Tribal Welfare Department. The Principal Secretary/ Secretary is assisted by the Director, Directorate of Tribal Welfare; and Director, Directorate of Tribal Welfare is assisted by the other officials of this Directorate.