Current Edge Daily Brief 6th September 2025

IE Explained: Who are particularly vulnerable tribal groups, which the govt wants to be counted separately in the Census?

Syllabus: Pre/Mains – Society & Social Justice

Why in News?

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has requested the Registrar General and Census Commissioner to enumerate Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups separately in the upcoming Census for the first time. This marks a significant step toward better demographic data collection for India’s most vulnerable tribal communities.

What are PVTGs?

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups represent a sub-category of Scheduled Tribes that exhibit greater vulnerability compared to other Scheduled Tribes. These communities face unique challenges that distinguish them from the broader tribal population.

Key Identifying Criteria

• Declining or stagnant population trends
• Geographical isolation from mainstream society
• Pre-agrarian economic practices including hunting and gathering
• Severe economic backwardness
• Extremely low literacy rates

Current Classification

• 75 tribal groups are currently classified as PVTGs
• Distributed across 18 states and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Despite being a distinct category, they have never been enumerated separately in any previous census

Historical Development

Dhebar Commission Foundation

The concept of PVTGs emerged from the Dhebar Commission (1960-61) recommendations, led by former MP U N Dhebar. The Commission identified significant disparities in socio-economic conditions between different tribal groups, highlighting the need for special attention to the most vulnerable communities.

Evolution of Classification

• 1974-1979: Initially 52 groups were identified as Primitive Tribal Groups during the Fifth Five-Year Plan
• 2006: 23 more groups were added to the list
• 2006: Terminology changed from “Primitive Tribal Groups” to “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” to remove the derogatory connotation

Constitutional Status

Out of the 75 PVTGs, only 40 have single entry status under Article 342 of the Constitution, indicating the complex legal framework surrounding these communities.

Current Population Demographics

Overall Statistics

• Estimated 47.5 lakh PVTGs across India as per 2023 government survey
• 13 PVTGs had population less than 1,000 as per 2011 Census

State-wise Distribution

• Madhya Pradesh: Highest with 13.22 lakh PVTGs
• Maharashtra: 6.7 lakh
• Andhra Pradesh: 5.18 lakh

Population Range

• Smallest group: Sentinelese with just 15 individuals
• Largest group: Baiga with 4,14,526 people

Primary Livelihoods

• Food gathering and collection
• Non-timber forest produce harvesting
• Hunting and fishing
• Livestock rearing
• Shifting cultivation
• Traditional artisan works

Government Welfare Initiatives

PM JANMAN Scheme (2023)

The government launched the PM JANMAN scheme with a substantial outlay of Rs 24,104 crore specifically for PVTG development.

Scheme Targets

• Safe housing provision
• Clean water access
• Sanitation facilities
• Education infrastructure
• Healthcare services
• Road connectivity development
• Telecommunication access
• Sustainable livelihood opportunities

Coverage

• More than 200 districts included
• Focus on 22,000 PVTG habitations across the country

Significance of Separate Census Enumeration

The decision to conduct separate enumeration of PVTGs in the upcoming census represents a crucial policy shift that will:

• Enable better implementation of targeted schemes
• Provide accurate demographic data for policy planning
• Help track development progress more effectively
• Facilitate resource allocation based on specific community needs
• Support evidence-based policy formulation for these vulnerable populations

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that India’s most vulnerable tribal communities receive focused attention and resources for their socio-economic development while preserving their unique cultural identities