India has 705 scheduled tribes and 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) spread across 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. UPSC tests tribal locations in the context of biodiversity (tribes living in forest areas/tiger reserves), constitutional provisions (Fifth and Sixth Schedules), cultural rights, and recent controversies (mining disputes, displacement, Great Nicobar development project). The Andaman tribes — especially the Sentinelese — are tested repeatedly for their uncontacted status and the legal/ethical dimensions of contact.

PM-JANMAN (PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan): Launched on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (15 November 2023) from Khunti, Jharkhand. Budget: Rs 24,104 crore over 2023–26. Covers all 75 PVTGs across 18 states and A&N Islands through 11 critical interventions (housing, water, health, nutrition, education, road/telecom connectivity, electrification, livelihoods) implemented by 9 line ministries. As of early 2025, over 4.6 lakh pucca houses sanctioned under PM Awas Yojana-Gramin for PVTG families; over 850 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) sanctioned; IEC saturation campaigns running in 194 districts. PM-JANMAN and the Forest Rights Act (particularly habitat rights under Section 3(1)(e) for PVTGs) are the twin policy pillars for PVTG development.

Important Tribes and Their Locations

Tribe State / Region Notable For UPSC Angle
Sentinelese North Sentinel Island, Andaman & Nicobar Most isolated uncontacted tribe in the world; actively resist outside contact Prohibited area; John Allen Chau incident (2018); completely uncontacted; North Sentinel Island is a Tribal Reserve
Jarawa South and Middle Andaman, A&N Islands Uncontacted till 1998; now partially contacted PVTG; contact policy debate; Andaman Trunk Road controversy runs through their territory
Onge Little Andaman, A&N Islands Semi-nomadic; hunter-gatherers; declining population (~100) PVTG; one of four Negrito tribes of Andaman
Great Andamanese Strait Island (relocated), A&N Most reduced Andamanese group; ~50-60 individuals PVTG; historically decimated by colonialism; now at Strait Island
Shompen Great Nicobar Island, A&N Semi-nomadic; minimal contact PVTG; concern over impact of Holistic Development of Great Nicobar project
Toda Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu Buffalo-keeping; unique barrel-shaped huts (mund); distinctive embroidery Nilgiri Biosphere; Toda poetry and oral tradition; small population (~1,500)
Irula Nilgiris / Tamil Nadu, Kerala Snake catchers; snake venom extraction for anti-venom production; rat catchers Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society; Nilgiris and Chengalpattu districts
Kani (Kanikkar) Agasthyamalai, Kerala/TN Traditional healers; knowledge of Arogyapacha plant (Trichopus zeylanicus) which became Jeevani drug Benefit-sharing model (Kani tribe shared in Jeevani patent royalties — landmark case for ethnobotany rights)
Chenchu Nallamala Hills, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Hunter-gatherers; symbiotic relationship with tigers in Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam TR PVTG; living inside tiger reserve; co-existence model
Gond MP, CG, Telangana, Maharashtra, Odisha Largest tribal group in India by population; Gond kingdom (Gondwana) Gondi language; Gondwana region named after them; Maria and Muria are sub-groups
Baiga MP, CG Semi-nomadic; bewar (shifting) cultivation; traditional land title holders PVTG; Baigas were known as "earth's caretakers"; resist permanent settlement
Bhil Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra 2nd or 3rd largest tribe in India; archers Bhil Pradesh demand (tribal homeland movement); Bhilwara named after them
Santhal Jharkhand, WB, Odisha, Assam Largest tribe in eastern India; Santhal Rebellion 1855 (Hul uprising, Sido-Kanhu) Santhali is a scheduled language (8th Schedule); Ol Chiki script (created by Pandit Raghunath Murmu)
Munda Jharkhand Birsa Munda (freedom fighter); Ulgulan movement Mundari language; December 15 (Birsa Munda's birthday) — Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas
Ho Jharkhand, Odisha Related to Munda; Ho language; practise Sarna faith Closely allied with Munda and Santhal; part of Kolarian language group
Khasi Meghalaya (East Khasi Hills) Matrilineal society; property inherited through female line Khasi Hills; Shillong; children take mother's surname
Garo Meghalaya (Garo Hills) Also matrilineal; youngest daughter inherits Garo Hills; Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
Mizo (Lushai) Mizoram Settled, educated; Church plays major role; almost entire population Christianised Mizoram has highest tribal literacy rate in India; Mizo Accord 1986
Naga Tribes (Angami, Ao, Lotha, etc.) Nagaland Headhunting tradition (historical); elaborate warrior culture; Hornbill Festival 16+ Naga tribes; Naga sovereignty movement; NSCN-IM ceasefire (1997)
Dongria Kondh Odisha (Niyamgiri Hills, Koraput, Rayagada) Resistance to Vedanta bauxite mining in Niyamgiri Hills Supreme Court ruling (2013) directed gram sabhas to decide; they voted against mining; landmark environmental democracy case
Bonda Odisha (Malkangiri) Among most primitive tribes; minimal outside contact PVTG; own language (Remo)
Birhor Jharkhand, Odisha Semi-nomadic rope-makers and hunters PVTG; "Rope people"; declining population
Gaddi HP (Himachal Pradesh, Chamba) Transhumant shepherds; move between Dhauladhar range and Kangra valley seasonally Gaddis keep Gaddi sheep; move to Lahul in summer
Gujjar J&K, HP, Uttarakhand Buffalo-herding nomads; seasonal migration ST status given in many states; also present in Rajasthan
Warli Maharashtra (Palghar) Tribal painting (Warli art) — geometric patterns used in ritual and now commercially Warli paintings: circular dancers, triangles; recognised craft
Bhutia Sikkim, WB (Darjeeling) Buddhist; close cultural ties with Tibet; Losar festival Also spelled Bhotia; Lepcha and Bhutia are original inhabitants of Sikkim
Lepcha Sikkim, WB (Darjeeling) Original inhabitants of Sikkim; Rong language Called "Mutanchi Rong Kup Rum Kup" (beloved of god and snow) in their language

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