In a significant development, the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) have completed one of the most extensive ethnographic studies on India’s diverse communities, categorizing 268 denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes. This study, commissioned by a panel from NITI Aayog, began in February 2020 and concluded in August 2022.

About the Study

·        Led by the Anthropological Survey of India, in collaboration with Tribal Research Institutes in states such as Odisha, Gujarat, and Arunachal Pradesh, the study spanned over three years.

·        It focused on understanding and documenting the socio-economic conditions of these tribes, many of whom face significant challenges due to their migratory lifestyles and historical marginalization.

·        The study’s findings revealed that a significant portion of the 268 communities surveyed had either been partially categorized in state lists or appeared in the central lists of some states.

·        However, 63 communities were classified as “not traceable,” meaning they likely assimilated into larger communities, changed their names, or migrated across regions. This highlights the challenges researchers faced in locating and studying some of these communities.

·        A major recommendation emerging from the study is the inclusion of 179 communities in the Central lists of SC, ST, and OBC categories across 26 states and union territories. Among these, 85 communities are proposed for fresh inclusion, marking a historic shift in recognizing their socio-economic needs.

Recommendations for SC, ST, OBC Inclusion

The study recommended the inclusion of various communities in the Central lists, broken down as follows:

• 46 communities are recommended for inclusion under the OBC category.
• 29 communities are recommended for inclusion under the SC category.
• 10 communities are recommended for inclusion under the ST category.

States like Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of recommended additions, with 19 communities proposed for inclusion. Other states, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, each have 8 communities recommended for inclusion.

The study also suggested refining the existing classification of nine communities based on a more accurate understanding of their socio-economic status, thereby ensuring more appropriate representation.

About Denotified Tribes

Denotified Tribes (DNTs) refer to communities that were historically labeled as “born criminals” under the British colonial Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, which was repealed in 1952. Despite this, the stigma continued, and these communities are now categorized as Denotified Tribes. Nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes are part of these de-notified groups.

Nomadic Tribes

Nomadic tribes traditionally move from place to place in search of livelihood, without settling in one location for extended periods. These tribes often engage in activities like herding, hunting, gathering, or trading. Examples of nomadic tribes in India include:

• • Van Gujjars: Primarily pastoral
  • Lambadis: Engaged in trade
  • Gujjar-Bakarwals: Primarily herders

Semi-Nomadic Tribes

Semi-nomadic tribes combine settled and nomadic lifestyles. These tribes practice agriculture during certain seasons while also engaging in activities such as herding, trading, or migration during other times of the year. Some examples of semi-nomadic tribes include:

• • Raikas: Primarily pastoral but also practice agriculture
  • Banjaras: Engage in trade and movement while settling temporarily for agriculture

This comprehensive study not only sheds light on the historical and current challenges faced by these communities but also provides a roadmap for their socio-economic upliftment by recommending appropriate categorizations and inclusion in state and central lists.