Why in the News?
At an event in New Delhi, Denotified, Semi-Nomadic and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) strongly demanded a permanent National Commission to address their long-standing marginalisation.
Who are Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)?
- Denotified Tribes (DNTs):
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- Colonial Tag: Branded “criminal by birth” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.
- Legal Reversal: Act repealed in 1949; tribes de-notified in 1952.
- Persistent Stigma: Continue to face police profiling and social exclusion.
- Nomadic Tribes (NTs):
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- Lifestyle: No fixed habitation; move cyclically for livelihood.
- Occupations: Animal herding, salt trading, performing arts, traditional healing.
- Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs):
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- Hybrid Living: Alternate between mobile and semi-settled life.
- Movement: Shift seasonally but often retain a base settlement.
Current Status in India:
- Population Share: Around 10% of India’s population.
- Communities: ~150+ Denotified, 500+ Nomadic tribes.
- Major States: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh.
- Examples of Communities (not exhaustive):
- Denotified: Bedia, Pardhi, Sansi, Kanjar, Lodha, Nat, Chhara, Bhantu
- Nomadic: Banjara, Gadia Lohar, Rabari, Madari, Kalbelia, Nat
- Semi-Nomadic: Abor, Adi, Aka, Apatani, Dafla, Galo, Nishi, Tagin
Major Committees & Commissions:
| Year | Contribution | |
| Criminal Tribes Inquiry Committee | 1947 | Criticized criminal branding |
| Ayyangar Committee | 1949 | Led to repeal of Criminal Tribes Act |
| Kaka Kalelkar Commission | 1953 | Recognized DNTs, no full classification |
| B.P. Mandal Commission | 1980 | Suggested NTs for OBC list |
| Constitution Review Commission | 2002 | Urged protective measures for DNTs |
| Renke Commission | 2008 | Listed 500+ communities, lacked implementation resources |
| Idate Commission | 2017–2018 | Listed 1,200+, proposed permanent commission |
| [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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