Definition: A tribe, also referred to as an ‘Adivasi’ in India, constitutes a social division within traditional societies. Typically, tribes are comprised of families interconnected by various ties—be it social, economic, religious, or ancestral. They share a common culture, language, and often inhabit specific geographic areas. These groups form unique cultural, social, and political entities, preserving their traditions and ways of life.
Recognition and Constitutional Provisions: In India, tribal communities are formally recognized under ‘Scheduled Tribes’ in the Constitution, listed under Schedule 5. This acknowledgment entails various constitutional provisions aimed at safeguarding their interests and promoting their development. These provisions include:
| Article Number | Constitutional Provision |
| Article 46 | Promotes the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other marginalized groups. |
| Article 244(1) | Establishes governance provisions for Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas. |
| Article 275(1) | Provides financial grants to states with significant ST populations. |
| Articles 330 | Reserves seats in the Lok Sabha for SCs and STs. |
| Articles 332 | Reserves seats in State Legislative Assemblies for SCs and STs. |
| Articles 334 | Contains special provisions for reservation of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies. |
| Article 335 | Ensures equitable opportunities in employment and services for SCs and STs. |
| Article 366(25) | Defines “Scheduled Tribes.” |
| Schedules V | Details administrative and control provisions for Scheduled Areas and Tribes. |
| Schedules VI | This schedule delineates administrative provisions for certain areas in the northeastern states, acknowledging the unique cultural and political circumstances of these regions. |
Demographic Insights: According to the 2011 census:
- The Scheduled Tribe population in India is approximately 10.43 crore, accounting for 8.66% of the total population.
- States with the highest Scheduled Tribe populations include Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
- Mizoram and Lakshadweep stand out with the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribe populations.
- Some regions such as Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Pondicherry have no Scheduled Tribe population, as per the 2011 census data.
| States | Tribes |
| Andaman and Nicobar | Oraons, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens |
| Andhra Pradesh | Chenchus |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Apatanis, Abor, Dafla, Galong, Momba, Sherdukpen, Singpho, Nyishi, Mishmi, Idu, Taroan, Tagin, Adi, Monpa, Wancho |
| Assam | Chakma, Chutiya, Dimasa, Hajong, Garos, Khasis, Gangte, Karbi, Boro, Borokachari, Kachari, Sonwal, Miri, Rabha, Garo |
| Bihar | Asur, Baiga, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Gond, Parhaiya, Santhals, Savar, Kharwar, Banjara, Oraon, Santal, Tharu |
| Chhattisgarh | Agariya, Bhaina, Bhattra, Biar, Khond, Mawasi, Nagasia, Gond, Binjhwar, Halba, Halbi, Kawar, Sawar |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda, Siddi, Varli, Gawda |
| Goa | Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda, Siddi, Varli, Gawda |
| Gujarat | Barda, Bamcha, Bhil, Charan, Dhodia, Gamta, Paradhi, Patelia, Dhanka, Dubla, Talavia, Halpati, Kokna, Naikda, Patelia, Rathawa, Siddi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Gaddis, Gujjars, Khas, Lamba, Lahaulas, Pangwala, Swangla, Beta, Beda Bhot, Bodh |
| Haryana | Not Available |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Bakarwal, Balti, Beda, Gaddi, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Sippi, Changpa, Gujjar |
| Jharkhand | Birhors, Bhumij, Gonds, Kharia, Mundas, Santhals, Savar, Bedia, Ho, Kharwar, Lohra, Mahli, Parhaiya, Santal, Kol, Banjara |
| Karnataka | Adiyan, Barda, Gond, Bhil, Iruliga, Koraga, Patelia, Yerava, Hasalaru, Koli Dhor, Marati, Meda, Naikda, Soligaru |
| Kerala | Adiyan, Arandan, Eravallan, Kurumbas, Malai arayan, Moplahs, Uralis, Irular, Kanikaran, Kattunayakan, Kurichchan, Muthuvan |
| Madhya Pradesh | Baigas, Bhils, Bharia, Birhors, Gonds, Katkari, kharia, Khond, Kol, Murias, Korku, Mawasi, Pardhan, Sahariya |
| Maharashtra | Bhaina, Bhunjia, Dhodia, Katkari, Khond, Rathawa, Warlis, Dhanka, Halba, Kathodi, Kokna, Koli Mahadev, Pardhi, Thakur |
| Manipur | Naga, Kuki, Meitei, Aimol, Angami, Chiru, Maram, Monsang, Paite, Purum, Thadou, Anal, Mao, Tangkhul, Thadou, Poumai Naga |
| Meghalaya | Chakma, Garos, Hajong, Jaintias Khasis, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Mikir |
| Mizoram | Chakma, Dimasa, Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Pawi, Raba, Synteng, Lushai |
| Nagaland | Angami, Garo, Kachari, Kuki, Mikir, Nagas, Sema, Ao, Chakhesang, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Rengma, Sangtam |
| Orissa | Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Khond, Matya, Oraons, Rajuar, Santhals, Bathudi, Bathuri, Bhottada, Bhumij, Gond, Juang, Kisan, Kolha, Kora, Khayara, Koya, Munda, Paroja, Saora, Shabar, Lodha |
| Punjab | |
| Rajasthan | Bhils, Damaria, Dhanka, Meenas(Minas), Patelia, Sahariya, Naikda, Nayaka, Kathodi |
| Sikkim | Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas, Limboo, Tamang |
| Tamil Nadu | Adiyan, Aranadan, Eravallan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Todas, Kurumans, Malayali |
| Telangana | Chenchus |
| Tripura | Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal, Chakma, Halam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte, Mag, Munda, Riang |
| Uttarakhand | Bhotias, Buksa, Jannsari, Khas, Raji, Tharu |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bhotia, Buksa, Jaunsari, Kol, Raji, Tharu, Gond, Kharwar, Saharya , Parahiya, Baiga, Agariya, Chero |
| West Bengal | Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Parhaiya, Rabha, Santhals, Savar, Bhumij, Bhutia, Chik Baraik, Kisan, Kora, Lodha, Kheria, Khariam, Mahali, Mal Pahariya, Oraon |
| Union Territories | Tribes |
| Andaman and Nicobar | Oraons, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Bakarwal, Balti, Beda, Gaddi, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Sippi, Changpa, Gujjar |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda, Siddi, Varli, Gawda |
| Chandigarh | Not Available |
| Ladakh | Not Available |
| Delhi | Not Available |
| Lakshadweep | Not Available |
| Puducherry | Not Available |