Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)

The British Government had from time to time declared some of the tribes which, according to them, were involved in criminal activities as Criminal Tribes. The Criminal Tribes Act (CTA), 1871 provided that if a Local Government had reason to believe that any tribe, gang or class of people is addicted to the systematic commission of non-bailable offences, it may, with the authorization of the Governor General, declare such tribe etc. as a “Criminal Tribe”. The CTA was revised in 1911 and in 1924. The CTA, 1924, was repealed by the Criminal Tribes Laws (Repeal) Act, 1952 on the recommendations of the Shri Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Committee. As a result, the tribes notified earlier as Criminal Tribes, stood denotified, and the name ‘Denotified Tribes’ (DTs) has been in use for them since then. Nomads are people who are constantly on the move and have no permanent home. On the other hand, Semi-nomadic groups tend to have a fixed abode for a part of the year and are Itinerant in the rest of the year. Most DNTs are categorized as SC/ST/OBC though a few of the DNTs are not covered in any of these categories.

National Commission for Denotified, Nomadicand Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT)

A National Commission for Denotified, Nomadicand Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT) was constituted in the year 2005 which made certain recommendations. In addition, the National Advisory Council (NAC) constituted a Working Group on Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes in 2011 which proposed a detailed set of recommendations for the DNTs.

The Government has considered the recommendations of the NCDNT and NAC and has taken the following decisions:

  • The establishment, through an executive order, of a National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes for a period of three years; and
  • Framing of an appropriate scheme for grant of pre and post-matric scholarships and construction of hostels for students belonging to the Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes not included in the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes after following the requisite process including appraisal by the Expenditure Finance Committee.

A Resolution for establishment of the Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes with the following Terms of Reference has been issued on 12.02.2014:

  • To prepare a State-wise list of castes belonging to Denotified and Nomadic Tribes
  • To identify the castes belonging to Denotified and Nomadic Tribes in the Lists of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Central List/State List of Other Backward Classes
  • To identify the castes belonging to Denotified and Nomadic Tribes which have not been included in the Lists of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Central List of Other Backward Classes and to pursue their case for inclusion in these lists depending on the modalities laid down for the purpose
  • To identify the places where DNTs are densely populated
  • To evaluate the progress of the development of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes under the Union and the States.
  • To suggest appropriate measures in respect of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes to be undertaken by the Central Government or the State Government.
  • Any other related work as may be assigned by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

States-wise Distribution of PVTGs

While some tribal communities have adopted a mainstream way of life, at the other end of the spectrum, there are certain Scheduled Tribes, 75 in number known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), (earlier termed as Primitive Tribal Groups) who are characterised by:-

  • A pre-agriculture level of technology
  • A stagnant or declining population
  • Extremely low literacy
  • A subsistence level of economy

Andhra Pradesh: 1. Bodo Gadaba, 2. Bondo Poroja, 3. Chenchu, 4. Dongria Khond, 5. Gutob Gadaba, 6. Khond Poroja, 7. Kolam,8. Kondareddis, 9. Konda Savaras, 10. Kutia Khond, 11. Parengi Poroja, 12. Thoti

Bihar (including Jharkhand): 13. Asurs, 14. Birhor, 15. Birjia, 16. Hill Kharia, 17. Korwas, 18. Mal Paharia, 19. Parhaiyas, 20. Sauria Paharia, 21. Savar

Gujarat: 22. Kathodi, 23. Kotwalia, 24. Padhar, 25. Siddi, 26. Kolgha Karnataka, 27. Jenu Kuruba, 28. Koraga

Kerala: 29. Cholanaikayan (a section of Kattunaickans), 30. Kadar, 31. Kattunayakan, 32. Kurumbas, 33. Koraga

Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh): 34. Abujh Marias, 35. Baigas, 36. Bharias, 37. Hill Korbas, 38. Kamars, 39. Saharias, 40. Birhor

Maharashtra: 41. Katkaria (Kathodia), 42. Kolam, 43. Maria Gond

Manipur: 44. Marram Nagas

Orissa: 45. Birhor, 46. Bondo, 47. Didayi, 48. Dongria- Khond, 49. Juangs, 50. Kharias, 51. Kutia Kondh, 52. Lanjia Sauras, 53. Lodhas, 54. Mankidias, 55. Paudi Bhuyans, 56. Soura, 57. Chuktia Bhunjia

Rajasthan: 58. Seharias

Tamil Nadu: 59. Kattu Nayakans, 60. Kotas, 61. Kurumbas, 62. Irulas, 63. Paniyans, 64. Todas

Tripura: 65. Reang

Uttar Pradesh (including Uttarakhand): 66. Buxas, 67. Rajis

West Bengal: 68. Birhor, 69. Lodhas, 70. Totos

Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 71. Great Andamanese 72. Jarawas 73. Onges 74. Sentinelese 75. Shom Pens

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