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

TribeState / RegionNotable ForUPSC Angle
SentineleseNorth Sentinel Island, Andaman & NicobarMost isolated uncontacted tribe in the world; actively resist outside contactProhibited area; John Allen Chau incident (2018); completely uncontacted; North Sentinel Island is a Tribal Reserve
JarawaSouth and Middle Andaman, A&N IslandsUncontacted till 1998; now partially contactedPVTG; contact policy debate; Andaman Trunk Road controversy runs through their territory
OngeLittle Andaman, A&N IslandsSemi-nomadic; hunter-gatherers; declining population (~100)PVTG; one of four Negrito tribes of Andaman
Great AndamaneseStrait Island (relocated), A&NMost reduced Andamanese group; ~50-60 individualsPVTG; historically decimated by colonialism; now at Strait Island
ShompenGreat Nicobar Island, A&NSemi-nomadic; minimal contactPVTG; concern over impact of Holistic Development of Great Nicobar project
TodaNilgiri Hills, Tamil NaduBuffalo-keeping; unique barrel-shaped huts (mund); distinctive embroideryNilgiri Biosphere; Toda poetry and oral tradition; small population (~1,500)
IrulaNilgiris / Tamil Nadu, KeralaSnake catchers; snake venom extraction for anti-venom production; rat catchersIrula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society; Nilgiris and Chengalpattu districts
Kani (Kanikkar)Agasthyamalai, Kerala/TNTraditional healers; knowledge of Arogyapacha plant (Trichopus zeylanicus) which became Jeevani drugBenefit-sharing model (Kani tribe shared in Jeevani patent royalties — landmark case for ethnobotany rights)
ChenchuNallamala Hills, Andhra Pradesh and TelanganaHunter-gatherers; symbiotic relationship with tigers in Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam TRPVTG; living inside tiger reserve; co-existence model
GondMP, CG, Telangana, Maharashtra, OdishaLargest tribal group in India by population; Gond kingdom (Gondwana)Gondi language; Gondwana region named after them; Maria and Muria are sub-groups
BaigaMP, CGSemi-nomadic; bewar (shifting) cultivation; traditional land title holdersPVTG; Baigas were known as "earth's caretakers"; resist permanent settlement
BhilRajasthan, MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra2nd or 3rd largest tribe in India; archersBhil Pradesh demand (tribal homeland movement); Bhilwara named after them
SanthalJharkhand, WB, Odisha, AssamLargest 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)
MundaJharkhandBirsa Munda (freedom fighter); Ulgulan movementMundari language; December 15 (Birsa Munda's birthday) — Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas
HoJharkhand, OdishaRelated to Munda; Ho language; practise Sarna faithClosely allied with Munda and Santhal; part of Kolarian language group
KhasiMeghalaya (East Khasi Hills)Matrilineal society; property inherited through female lineKhasi Hills; Shillong; children take mother's surname
GaroMeghalaya (Garo Hills)Also matrilineal; youngest daughter inheritsGaro Hills; Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
Mizo (Lushai)MizoramSettled, educated; Church plays major role; almost entire population ChristianisedMizoram has highest tribal literacy rate in India; Mizo Accord 1986
Naga Tribes (Angami, Ao, Lotha, etc.)NagalandHeadhunting tradition (historical); elaborate warrior culture; Hornbill Festival16+ Naga tribes; Naga sovereignty movement; NSCN-IM ceasefire (1997)
Dongria KondhOdisha (Niyamgiri Hills, Koraput, Rayagada)Resistance to Vedanta bauxite mining in Niyamgiri HillsSupreme Court ruling (2013) directed gram sabhas to decide; they voted against mining; landmark environmental democracy case
BondaOdisha (Malkangiri)Among most primitive tribes; minimal outside contactPVTG; own language (Remo)
BirhorJharkhand, OdishaSemi-nomadic rope-makers and huntersPVTG; "Rope people"; declining population
GaddiHP (Himachal Pradesh, Chamba)Transhumant shepherds; move between Dhauladhar range and Kangra valley seasonallyGaddis keep Gaddi sheep; move to Lahul in summer
GujjarJ&K, HP, UttarakhandBuffalo-herding nomads; seasonal migrationST status given in many states; also present in Rajasthan
WarliMaharashtra (Palghar)Tribal painting (Warli art) — geometric patterns used in ritual and now commerciallyWarli paintings: circular dancers, triangles; recognised craft
BhutiaSikkim, WB (Darjeeling)Buddhist; close cultural ties with Tibet; Losar festivalAlso spelled Bhotia; Lepcha and Bhutia are original inhabitants of Sikkim
LepchaSikkim, WB (Darjeeling)Original inhabitants of Sikkim; Rong languageCalled "Mutanchi Rong Kup Rum Kup" (beloved of god and snow) in their language

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