Government Launches Innovative Platform for Forest Rights Implementation
New Delhi | January 6, 2026: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has successfully conducted Hackathon 2.0, a two-day National Workshop focused on the development of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) Digital Platform. The workshop took place from January 5 to 6, 2026, at the National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI) in New Delhi. It aimed to combine innovative ideas and governance strategies to create a comprehensive digital platform for the effective implementation of the FRA, 2006.
Collaborative Effort Brings Together Innovators and Experts
The workshop gathered all five finalist teams from the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025, alongside MoTA officials and experts from IIT Delhi and the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The focus of the event was to refine the functional design and system architecture of the proposed national FRA Digital Platform by integrating multiple innovative solutions into a singular, scalable platform centered around the needs of claimants.
The national FRA Digital Platform is envisioned to include several critical components: AI-powered digital archives for structured and searchable FRA records, an FRA Atlas for spatial visualization and real-time monitoring, a claimant-centric chatbot for information access and grievance support, and a Decision Support System (DSS) to facilitate evidence-based policymaking.
Showcasing Innovation and Progress
The workshop concluded with a live demonstration of the integrated FRA Digital Platform, showcasing its potential to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in implementing forest rights. In recognition of their innovative contributions, all five participating teams were awarded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary of Tribal Affairs, addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of creativity in resolving real-world issues. She stated that securing land ownership through the FRA not only provides legal rights but also dignity and livelihood opportunities, serving as a vital pathway to overcoming generational poverty. Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary of Tribal Affairs, reiterated the necessity of a citizen-centric design, ensuring the platform caters effectively to the claimants’ concerns.
Field Visits Enhance Ground-Level Understanding
Prior to the workshop, a two-day field visit was conducted on January 2-3, 2026, in FRA-implemented villages located in Surgana and Igatpuri blocks of Nashik district, Maharashtra. During these visits, student teams engaged with Forest Rights Committees (FRCs) and Community Forest Rights Management Committees (CFRMCs) to gather insights into on-the-ground challenges, validate data, and ensure that digital solutions align with claimant realities.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has taken a pioneering step by formally engaging all finalist teams of the SIH 2025 in a structured post-hackathon implementation program. MoTA’s participation in the hackathon centered on the development of an AI-powered FRA Atlas and a WebGIS-based DSS for integrated monitoring of forest rights. By leveraging technology, this initiative aims to enhance data-driven governance and promote participatory implementation while strengthening ties between government, academia, and tribal communities.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, MoTA plans to finalize the unified national digital architecture over the next two months. This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and participatory governance with tribal communities positioned as equal partners in national development.
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