Knowledge Nugget: Counting of PVTGs — What you should know for UPSC exam?

Why in the news?

In a significant step, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has asked the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) to consider inclusion of the most marginalised, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the upcoming Census exercise.

Key takeaways:

1. If finalised, it would be the first time that PVTGs would be enumerated separately in the Census. There are 75 PVTGs in India across 18 states and one Union Territory (Andaman and Nicobar Islands). They were identified based on low literacy levels, geographical remoteness, pre-agricultural levels, and economic backwardness.

2. Since the 1951 Census, the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) population figures along with relevant socio-economic and demographic characteristics, have been tabulated and published.

3. They are enumerated strictly as per the lists of SCs and STs notified vide the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950 in pursuant of the Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution. The lists of SCs and STs, as amended from time to time, are State /Union Territory specific.

4. In the previous 2011 census, about 40 PVTGs were counted as ‘single entry’ under the broader Scheduled Tribes (STs) category. Professor A B Ota, a retired IAS officer and former director of Tribal Research Institute and Odisha State Tribal Museum, said that the remaining PVTGs, often sub-groups within larger ST communities, are not distinctly enumerated in the Census, leading to a lack of specific data on key demographic indicators.

5. Recent initiatives like the PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) scheme have begun collecting some data on PVTGs. When the scheme was launched, the Centre had said the estimated population of PVTG’s is 28 lakh.

Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India and PMO India

6. However, as per MoTA’s response in Lok Sabha this month, the PVTGs population is estimated to be 45.56 lakh. Madhya Pradesh (12.28 lakh), Maharashtra (6.2 lakh) and Andhra Pradesh (4.9 lakh) are the top three in terms of PVTG population.

7. As per the response provided by the MoTA in Lok Sabha in 2016, no survey has been conducted by the ministry to identify PVTG across the country.  According to the ministry, the recommendations of the concerned State Government, along with a complete proposal, are prerequisites to process the proposal for identifying the community as PVTGs in the State.

8. In the response, the MoTA pointed out that “Since Census 2011 figures of RGI covers population data of only 40 PVTGs scheduled as single entry, complete population data of all 75 PVTGs is not available for calculation of complete State-wise percentage of population of PVTGs.”

Why the Census matters

9. PVTGs are severely marginalised due to their isolation, low population, and distinct socio-economic and cultural traits. They struggle with limited access to basic services, social discrimination, and vulnerability to displacement from development and natural disasters. They have little political representation, hindering their participation in decision-making.

10. Enumerating them in the Census will help the government in better allocation of resources, from providing basic infrastructure to education. It will enable governments to deliver targeted welfare and better plans for the future. It will help the judiciary, planners, and scholars alike understand trends in migration, urbanisation, employment, and fertility.

1. 01

   What is the Dhebar Commission?

   The Dhebar Commission was set up under Article 339 of the Constitution in April 1960, which were assigned various tasks of investigation and reporting problems of STs. The Commission in its report in 1961 observed that amongst tribals, the lowest layer needs the utmost consideration at the hands of the Government. This led to the creation of the “Primitive Tribal Groups” (PTG) category. In 2006, this category was renamed Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

2. 02

   What is the PM JANMAN Scheme?

   It was launched by the Prime Minister on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on 15th November 2023 at Khunti, Jharkhand targeting 75 PVTGs communities. It aimed at providing PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

BEYOND THE NUGGET: Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI)

1. The responsibility of conducting the decennial Census rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

2. According to the Census India website, the Census Organisation was set up on an ad-hoc basis for each Census till the 1951 Census. In 1948, the Census Act was enacted to provide for the scheme of conducting population census with duties and responsibilities of census officers.

3. To provide a systematic collection of statistics on the size of population, its growth, etc., the Government of India decided in May 1949 to establish an organisation in the Ministry of Home Affairs under Registrar General and ex-Officio Census Commissioner, India.

4. This organisation was made responsible for generating data on population statistics including Vital Statistics and Census. Later, this office was also entrusted with the responsibility of implementation of Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 in the country.

5. Shri Mritunjay Kumar Narayan is the current RGI who assumed the office on November 1, 2022. Last year, his period was extended to August 4, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

 Post Read Question

Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (UPSC CSE 2019)

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?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) 1, 3 and 4

(Sources: Exclusive | Count particularly vulnerable tribal groups in Census, Ministry asks RGI to take first-ever step, sansad.in, Explained: How India conducts its Census — and what is new in 2027, censusindia.gov.in, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs))

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