Why in the News?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has written to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) to enumerate PVTGs separately in Census 2027.
Who are the PVTGs?
- Overview: Sub-category of Scheduled Tribes (STs) marked by stagnant or declining population, geographical isolation, pre-agrarian subsistence, economic backwardness, and very low literacy.
- Origin: Concept recommended by the Dhebar Commission (1960–61) noting inequalities among STs.
- Historical Evolution:
- Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969–74): creation of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs).
- Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–79): 52 groups identified.
- 2006: PTGs renamed as PVTGs.
- Present Status: 75 PVTGs recognized across 18 states and 1 UT (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
- Characteristics: Small numbers, remote habitation, pre-agricultural practices, hunting and gathering reliance, and in some cases zero or negative population growth.
Enumeration and Population Estimates:
- 2011 Census Status: PVTGs were NOT separately enumerated, counted under the broader ST category.
- Special Cases:
- 2011 Census: Baigas counted separately, while Abujh Marias, Bharias, Hill Korbas, Kamars subsumed under STs.
- 2013: Abujh Maria and Hill Korba explicitly added to Chhattisgarh’s ST list via legislation.
- Recent Estimates: 2023 PM JANMAN survey estimated the population at 47.5 lakh.
- Madhya Pradesh: 13.22 lakh (highest).
- Maharashtra: about 6.7 lakh.
- Andhra Pradesh: about 5.18 lakh.
- Largest and Smallest:
- Largest: Baiga of Madhya Pradesh with about 4.14 lakh.
- Smallest: Sentinelese of Andaman & Nicobar Islands with just 15 individuals.
- Micro Groups: In 2011, 13 PVTGs had populations below 1,000 including Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese, Shompen (A&N Islands), Raji (Uttarakhand), Kota (Tamil Nadu), Birhor (Odisha/Bihar), Kamar (Madhya Pradesh), and others.
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory. 2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. 3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. Which of the statements given above are correct? Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2 and 4* (d) 1, 3 and 4 |
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