Karnataka Government’s estimate shows that the total number of recognized tribal people is 42, 48, 978 which constitutes 6.95 percent of the total population in Karnataka. One of the main indigenous tribes in the Chamarajanagara district is Soliga. Soligas is an ethnic group of India. Its members inhabit the Biligiriranga Hills and associated ranges in southern Karnataka, mostly in the Chamarajanagar and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu. Many are also concentrated in and around the BR Hills in Yelandur, Kollegal and Hanur Taluk of Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka. India has unacceptable levels of rural poverty, estimated at 42%. In some of the northern and north‐eastern states, there is an even higher level of rural poverty. Government of India has been deeply concerned about poverty in India including poverty among tribals. To eradicate poverty, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) has been established. By the end of 2010, the Mission Document of the NRLM has been finalized and the mission was formally launched in June 2011. Government is putting lots of efforts to bring the tribals into the mainstream, but it has a long distance to traverse since only minimum facilities are provided and the unnecessary hesitation of the tribals like Soliga community to accept these facilities. This paper tries how Soliga households benefitted from the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). Descriptive research design was used for this study with simple random sampling for data collection. There are 4671 Soliga households residing in Hanur taluk. The researcher selected 90 households for the purpose of the study. Percentage distribution was used to analyse the data collected. Excel-2013 was used to put graphs. The study shows an under-utilisation of welfare programs like this and ignorance towards livelihood programs. Proper awareness should be imparted on Soliga community on populist programs. Also unnecessary hesitations from tribals also have weak penetration of welfare programs. Until the awareness program is included, it will be difficult to attain the empowerment and development of this marginalised community.