Understanding Scheduled Tribes in India
Who are Scheduled Tribes (STs)?
Let’s begin with a very basic but important question — Who are Scheduled Tribes?
Scheduled Tribes (STs) are those tribal communities which the Constitution of India recognizes as socially and economically disadvantaged. But what makes them distinct?
According to the official understanding, they possess certain unique features:
- Primitive traits (like reliance on subsistence-level economy, animism, etc.)
- Distinctive culture (language, rituals, customs different from mainstream society)
- Geographical isolation (often live in forests, hills, remote rural areas)
- Shyness of contact with the wider community
- Social and economic backwardness
In simple terms, STs have lived on the margins of mainstream society, both geographically and socially.
Key Statistics about STs in India (Census 2011)
Let’s take a look at some vital numbers that can help us remember the scale:
| Aspect | Data |
|---|---|
| % of India’s Population | 8.6% (about 10.45 crore people) |
| % of India’s Land Area | 15% |
| State with Highest ST Pop. | Madhya Pradesh |
| Largest Tribe | Bhil (around 38% of all STs) |
| Second Largest Tribe | Gond |
🧠 Conceptual Tip: STs are fewer in number in plains and urban areas and more concentrated in Central India, North-East, and some pockets of Southern and Western India.
Evolution of the Concept of ‘Tribe’
Did you know the word “tribe” is not indigenous to India? It came from the British colonial lens.
- Initially in the 19th century, the term ‘tribe’ was loosely used to describe many communities.
- Gradually, the British began using it to refer only to those primitive groups who were seen as non-Hindu, non-Islamic, non-urban, and often nomadic.
- By Government of India Act, 1935, and later in the Constitution, the term “Scheduled Tribes” took legal shape.
This colonial past is crucial to understand how tribal identity in India became administratively defined.
Constitutional Definition of Scheduled Tribes
In legal terms:
- Article 366(25): Scheduled Tribes are the tribes or tribal communities as identified under Article 342.
- Article 342:
👉 The President, in consultation with the Governor of a state, has the power to specify which tribes or tribal groups shall be deemed Scheduled Tribes in that state/UT.
👉 Once the Presidential list is published, only Parliament has the power to alter that list.
🧠 Note for UPSC: Each state has its own list of STs, which means a tribe listed in one state may not be recognized in another!
Constitutional Safeguards for Scheduled Tribes
Now comes the core part – what protection and support do STs get under the Indian Constitution? Let’s divide them into three main categories:
(A) Educational and Cultural Safeguards
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 15(4) | Special provisions for educational upliftment of STs |
| Article 29 | Right to conserve distinct language, script, or culture |
| Article 46 | Directive to promote educational and economic interests of SCs & STs |
| Article 350A | Instruction in mother tongue at primary stage for linguistic minorities |
🧠 Why this matter? Because a large part of tribal identity is rooted in language, culture, and access to education — areas in which STs have traditionally lagged behind.
(B) Economic Safeguards
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 275 | Central government gives Grants-in-Aid to states for ST welfare and improving administration in Scheduled Areas (under 5th and 6th Schedules) |
This is a fiscal tool — money is allocated specifically to empower tribal areas.
(C) Political Safeguards
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 164(1) | Provision for Tribal Affairs Ministers (originally for Bihar, MP, Orissa; later changed via 94th Amendment) |
| Article 330 & 332 | Reservation of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for STs |
These ensure that the voice of tribal communities reaches the legislative platforms.
Mechanisms for Monitoring Safeguards
To ensure that these constitutional promises are not just on paper, certain agencies and commissions have been created:
(i) National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
- Article 338A: Created to monitor, evaluate, and report on ST welfare.
(ii) Special Commissions (Article 339)
- The President can appoint commissions to report on the administration of Scheduled Areas and the welfare of SCs/STs.
🧠 Key Insight: These commissions act as watchdogs to ensure accountability of the state machinery.
✅ Conclusion
So in summary, the Scheduled Tribes of India are not just a demographic group — they are a historically marginalized community, constitutionally recognized, and provided with a range of safeguards to ensure their development while preserving their cultural identity.
For UPSC, understanding STs is important not just for Geography, but also GS Paper 1 (Society), GS Paper 2 (Polity and Governance), and even GS Paper 3 (Tribal Economy and Environment).
