Source: IE
Context: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has asked the Census Commissioner to enumerate Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) separately in the upcoming Census.
About Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
Who They Are?
- PVTGs are a sub-category of Scheduled Tribes (STs), identified as the most disadvantaged among tribals.
- The concept came from the Dhebar Commission (1960–61), which recommended special focus for groups facing greater backwardness.
- Initially 52 groups were identified in the 5th Five-Year Plan (1974–79); later 23 were added in 2006 → now 75 groups in total.
Habitat:
- Spread across 18 states and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Many live in remote forests, hilly regions, or islands with poor access to infrastructure.
- Examples: Baigas (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh), Abujh Marias, Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens.
Characteristics:
- Declining/stagnant population and high vulnerability.
- Geographical isolation with limited outside contact.
- Dependence on pre-agrarian practices like hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation.
- Low literacy, poor health, and economic backwardness compared to other STs.
- Distinct cultural and social practices, often outside mainstream society.
Need for Separate Count:
- No previous Census has separately enumerated PVTGs; most are included under the general ST category.
- Having exact numbers and socio-economic data will improve targeting of schemes in health, education, and livelihoods.
- Helps identify infrastructure gaps in their habitations for schemes like PM JANMAN (₹24,104 crore launched in 2023).
- Ensures protection of their habitat rights and preservation of their unique cultures.
- Clarifies whether existing PVTG criteria remain relevant, as some groups may have improved while others worsened.
