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05 Sep 2025 : Who are PVTGs & why govt want to enumerate them separately

Editorial 1: Who are PVTGs & why govt want to enumerate them separately

Context:

The Ministry of Tribal affairs has asked Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to enumerate particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) separately for the first time in the upcoming census. It wants to record the number of PVTG household, individuals, and their distinct demographic, and socio-economic data. It will be useful in forming and implementing schemes targeting PVTGs such as Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Mahabhiyan (PM JANMAN).

 

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):

  • PVTG were first identified as separate category within SC by the Dhebar Commission of 1960-61. The commissioned stated that there are disparities in socio-economic and living conditions between different tribal groups and thus concluded that some of the tribal communities were “more vulnerable” than others.
  • PVTGs are identified by Ministry of Tribal Affairs from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) who have declining population, live in geographical isolation, use of pre-agrarian practices such as hunting and gathering, and suffer from economic backwardness and relatively low literacy.
  •  Initially, 52 groups were identified as PVTG during the Fifth five year plan from 1974 to 1979. In 2006, 23 more groups were accorded the PVTG status. Currently, 75 social groups are listed in PVTG which are spread across 18 states, and the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Island.
  • There has been debate regarding the inclusion criteria used for identifying PVTG, especially the marker of Geographic isolation has been questioned.

Enumeration of PVTGs in the Census:

  • They are not listed as separate category in any census. Some of them are counted under the broad ST category. Out of 75 PVTG, 40 of them are grouped under one nomenclature under the notified lists of STs under article 342 of the constitution.
  • According to the rules, only data of STs are recorded and released by RGI. This will include the data of their sub-groups including PVTG.
  • PM Modi has launched PM JANMAN in 2023 to improve socio-economic status, health, education, livelihood and amenities for PVTGs in more than 200 districts. To implement this scheme, state and central governments have collected habitation level data of PVTG population.
  • According to estimation, PVTG have recorded population of 47.5 lakhs with highest population recorded in Madhya Pradesh (13.22 lakh), followed by Maharashtra (6.7 lakhs), and Andhra Pradesh (5.18 lakhs).
  • As per census 2011, 13 PVTGs, who were enumerated as part of 40 single entry STs, had a population of less than 1000 persons. These include Sentinelese, shompens in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kota in Tamil Nadu, Raji in Uttarakhand.
  • The Baiga Community of Madhya Pradesh have the largest population among PVTGs with recorded population of 4, 14,526.

PM JANMAN Yojana (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan):

  • The PM JANMAN Yojana is a major Government of India initiative launched in November 2023 for the development and empowerment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Its key features are:
  • Target Group: Focuses exclusively on the 75 identified PVTGs across 18 States and UTs. These are the most marginalized tribal communities with low literacy, poor health indicators, and minimal access to basic services.
  • Objective: To ensure saturation of basic facilities like housing, drinking water, education, health, road connectivity, telecom, and livelihood support for PVTGs.
  • Budget: Outlay of around ₹24,000 crore for 3 years (till 2026).
  • Implementation: Convergent approach involving multiple ministries. Ministries like Tribal Affairs, Health, Education, Rural Development, Jal Shakti, etc., work together.
  • Major Interventions: 
  • Housing under PM-AWAS.
  • Clean drinking water through Jal Jeevan Mission.
  • Road & Telecom connectivity in remote PVTG areas.
  • Education: Anganwadi centers, Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
  • Healthcare: Mobile Medical Units, better access to Ayushman Bharat.
  • Livelihood support: Skill development, self-employment schemes.
  • Special Focus: Respect for cultural heritage and lifestyle of tribal groups while ensuring development.

 

Way Forward:

PVTG are most deprived among the STs. So Government of India needs to formulate and implement schemes specially targeting these groups. The recent move of enumerating these groups in the census will help in the efficient targeting of these schemes.