Today, This article accompanies the SSC Geography Tribes of India PPT (LEC #29) – Serial #107 of the Complete Foundation Batch for All SSC Exams PPT Series on slideshareppt.net. With 138 slides in bilingual Hindi + English format, this PPT covers Indian tribes – their geographic distribution, key cultural features, constitutional status, and the most important tribal facts for SSC exams – in complete depth.
Tribes of India is a socially and geographically rich topic that generates direct questions in SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC GD Constable, and RRB Group D General Awareness sections – on which tribe lives in which state, which is the most populous scheduled tribe, which tribes are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and the constitutional provisions for tribal communities. India has over 700 officially recognised Scheduled Tribes (STs), making it one of the most tribally diverse nations on Earth.
PPT Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Lecture Number | LEC #29 (Geography Series) |
| Serial Number in Complete Batch | #107 |
| Subject | Geography – Tribes of India (भारत की जनजातियाँ) |
| Series Name | Complete Foundation Batch for All SSC Exams (PPT Series) |
| Total Slides | 138 PPT Slides |
| File Size | 176 MB |
| Language | Hindi + English (Bilingual) |
| Format Available | Google Slides & Google Drive (PDF also available) |
| Website | www.slideshareppt.net |
| Target Exams | SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC GD Constable, RRB Group D |
| Suitable For | Students (self-study & marathon revision) and Teachers (classroom use) |
SSC Geography Tribes of India PPT (LEC #29)
Note: Above is PPT in GOOGLE SLIDES (HTML AND IFRAME COMBINATION) and if you wish to download the Complete SSC series (PPT slides), visit this Link – REDIRECT PAGE.
Tribes of India – Overview
India’s tribal population is the second largest in the world after Africa. As per Census 2011, Scheduled Tribes (STs) constitute approximately 8.6% of India’s total population – about 104 million people. India officially recognises over 700 Scheduled Tribes listed under the Constitution. Tribal communities are primarily concentrated in the central tribal belt (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, MP), northeastern India (Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh), and the western tribal areas (Rajasthan, Gujarat). The Constitution of India provides special protections and reservations for Scheduled Tribes under Articles 15, 16, 46, 244, 275, 330, 332, and the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.
Constitutional Provisions for Tribal Communities
| Article / Schedule | Provision |
| Article 342 | President may specify Scheduled Tribes in consultation with state governors; Parliament may include/exclude by law |
| Article 15(4) | State may make special provisions for advancement of STs (educational and social) |
| Article 16(4) | Reservation in public employment for STs |
| Article 46 | State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of weaker sections especially STs |
| Article 244 | Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas; applies Fifth Schedule to most states; Sixth Schedule to Northeastern tribal areas |
| Fifth Schedule | Governs Scheduled Areas in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram; Tribal Advisory Councils; Governor has special powers |
| Sixth Schedule | Governs tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram; Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Regional Councils with legislative, executive, and judicial powers |
| Article 275(1) | Grants from Consolidated Fund of India for tribal welfare schemes in Scheduled Areas |
| Article 330 & 332 | Reservation of seats for STs in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies |
| PESA Act, 1996 | Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act – extends Panchayati Raj to Scheduled Areas; recognises gram sabha powers for tribal communities |
| Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) | Recognises rights of forest-dwelling STs over forests they have traditionally inhabited; land rights, community forest rights |
Tribal Population – Key Statistics (Census 2011)
| Statistic | Data |
| Total ST Population (2011) | ~10.42 crore (104.2 million) – 8.6% of India’s total population |
| State with highest ST population (absolute) | Madhya Pradesh – highest absolute number of ST population (~1.53 crore) |
| State with highest ST % of state population | Mizoram (~94.4% of its population are STs) – followed by Lakshadweep (~94.8% for UTs) |
| Among large states – highest ST % | Nagaland (~86.5%), Meghalaya (~86.1%), Arunachal Pradesh (~68.8%) |
| Most populous ST in India | Gond – primarily in MP, Maharashtra, CG, Telangana, AP |
| 2nd most populous ST | Bhil – primarily in Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra |
| 3rd most populous ST | Santhals – primarily in Jharkhand, WB, Odisha, Bihar |
| State with lowest ST population | Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and some other states have negligible or no ST population |
| UT with highest ST % | Lakshadweep (~94.8%) |
| Scheduled Areas | States with Scheduled Areas (Fifth Schedule): AP, Telangana, CG, Gujarat, HP, Jharkhand, MP, MH, Odisha, Rajasthan |
| Sixth Schedule States | Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram – ADCs have significant autonomous powers |
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
| Parameter | Detail |
| Definition | Sub-category of Scheduled Tribes identified as the most vulnerable – characterised by: pre-agricultural level of technology, declining or stagnant population, very low literacy, subsistence level of economy |
| Former name | Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) – renamed to PVTGs in 2006 |
| Total PVTGs in India | 75 PVTGs across 18 states and 1 UT (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) |
| State with most PVTGs | Odisha – 13 PVTGs (highest in any state) |
| Largest PVTG by population | Chenchu (Andhra Pradesh) – largest PVTG in India |
| Key PVTGs by state | See detailed table below |
| Government scheme | PM-JANMAN (PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) – launched Nov 2023 for development of PVTGs |
| PVTG Name | State(s) | Key Features |
| Sentinelese | Andaman & Nicobar Islands (North Sentinel Island) | Most isolated people on Earth; contact prohibited by law; estimated <100 individuals; reject all outside contact |
| Jarawa | Andaman & Nicobar Islands (South and Middle Andaman) | Emerged from isolation in late 1990s; protected under tribal reserves; ~300-400 individuals; vulnerable to disease |
| Onge | Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Little Andaman) | ~100 individuals; semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers; one of the oldest genetic lineages on Earth |
| Great Andamanese | Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Strait Island) | Only ~50-70 individuals remaining; originally hundreds; speak distinct Andamanese language |
| Shompen | Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Great Nicobar) | Hunter-gatherers; ~200-300 individuals; semi-isolated; threatened by Great Nicobar development project |
| Chenchu | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana | Largest PVTG in India; forest dwellers; traditional honey gatherers; Nallamala hills |
| Birhor | Jharkhand, WB, Odisha, CG | Nomadic hunter-gatherers; traditionally lived in temporary leaf shelters (Tanda); Birhor means ‘forest men’ |
| Baiga | MP, CG, Jharkhand, UP | Swidden/shifting cultivators; known as custodians of forests; resist settled agriculture; MP especially |
| Bondo (Bonda) | Odisha (Malkangiri district) | One of the most isolated tribes in mainland India; women wear minimal clothing and traditional beaded jewellery; Bonda hills |
| Dongria Kondh | Odisha (Rayagada, Kalahandi) | Niyamgiri Hills; fought against Vedanta bauxite mining; Supreme Court ruled in their favour (2013); guardians of Niyamgiri Hills |
| Lodha | West Bengal, Odisha | Denotified tribe – once classified as criminal tribe by British; rehabilitated |
| Korwa | CG, Jharkhand, UP | Hill-dwelling hunter-gatherers; Surajpur, Balrampur districts in CG |
| Mankidia | Odisha (Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj) | Nomadic PVTGs; very small population |
| Abujhmaria | Chhattisgarh (Narayanpur – Abujhmarh forest) | Live in remote Abujhmarh area; traditionally avoided outsiders; affected by Naxalite conflict |
| Toda | Tamil Nadu (Nilgiri Hills) | Famous for semicircular reed houses and dairy pastoral lifestyle; sacred buffaloes; UNESCO-recognised Kota and Toda heritage |
| Jarawa (TN/mainland) | Tamil Nadu and Kerala | Distinct from A&N Jarawa; Kattunayakan is the TN mainland PVTG |
Major Scheduled Tribes of India – State-wise Reference Table
| State / Region | Major Tribes | Key Geographic Habitat / Notes |
| Madhya Pradesh | Gond, Bhil, Baiga, Kol, Korku, Sahariya, Halba, Bhilala | Largest ST population state; Gond is India’s most populous tribe; MP tribal belt (Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Jhabua districts) |
| Chhattisgarh | Gond, Halba, Baiga, Korwa, Bhatra, Muria, Abujhmaria, Kamar | High proportion of STs (~32% of state population); Bastar division is tribally dense; affected by Naxalism |
| Jharkhand | Santhal, Munda, Ho, Oraon (Kurukh), Birhor, Kharia, Birhul, Bhumij | Santhal is largest tribe in Jharkhand; Munda uprising (Ulgulan – Birsa Munda); Chota Nagpur plateau |
| Odisha | Kondh (Khond), Gond, Santhal, Oraon, Munda, Bonda, Dongria Kondh, Ho, Sora | 13 PVTGs (most in any state); Bonda and Dongria Kondh among India’s most isolated tribes; Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada districts |
| Rajasthan | Bhil, Meena (Mina), Garasia, Damor, Saharia | Bhil is second largest tribe in India; Meena is the most populous tribe in Rajasthan; hilly Aravalli region |
| Gujarat | Bhil, Gamit, Chaudhary (Chaudhari), Rathwa, Dubla, Naikda, Varli | Tribal belt in Surat, Tapi, Dang, Narmada, Panchmahal districts; Dang district is almost entirely tribal |
| Maharashtra | Bhil, Gond, Varli (Warli), Katkari, Kokna, Mahadeo Koli, Thakar | Warli tribe famous for Warli painting – UNESCO-recognised traditional art form; Palghar, Thane, Nashik districts |
| Andhra Pradesh / Telangana | Chenchu, Koya, Gond, Lambada (Banjara), Savara, Yerukala | Chenchu is a PVTG and largest PVTG in India; Banjara (Lambada) are the most numerous ST in Telangana |
| Meghalaya | Khasi, Jaintia (Pnar), Garo | ~86% of state population are STs; Khasis and Garos are matrilineal societies (property and lineage through mother); Sixth Schedule state |
| Nagaland | Naga (Ao, Angami, Lotha, Sumi, Konyak, Chang, Chakhesang, etc.) | ~86% of state population are STs; all major communities are Naga tribes; Hornbill Festival showcases tribal cultures; Konyak Naga are former headhunters |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Adi, Nyishi (Dafla), Apatani, Monpa, Garo, Singpho, Nocte, Wancho, Tangsa | ~68% ST population; Apatani women known for distinctive nose plugs and facial tattoos (traditional practice now declining); Tawang – Monpa Buddhist culture |
| Mizoram | Mizo (Lushai), Chakma, Lai, Mara | ~94% of state population are STs; Mizo people are the dominant group; Sixth Schedule; nearly all residents are tribal |
| Manipur | Meitei (now seeking ST status), Naga, Kuki, Zo, Tangkul | Meiteis in valley are not currently STs; Hill tribes (Nagas and Kukis) are STs; Manipur conflict 2023 partly along Meitei-Kuki ST lines |
| Tripura | Tripuri (Tripura), Reang (Bru), Jamatia, Chakma, Halam, Mog | ~31% ST population; Sixth Schedule; Reang (Bru) people had a major refugee crisis (now settled in Tripura after 2020 agreement) |
| Assam | Bodo, Karbi, Mising (Miri), Rabha, Sonowal Kachari, Tiwa, Deori | Bodo is largest ST in Assam; Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC); Sixth Schedule; Karbi Anglong district has Autonomous Council |
| Sikkim | Lepcha, Bhutia, Limboo | Lepcha (Rong) are indigenous people of Sikkim; Bhutia are Tibetan-origin settlers; Limboo have distinct Kirat culture |
| Kerala | Paniya, Kurichiya, Mannan, Adiya, Kadar, Irula, Muduga, Kurumba | ~1.5% ST population; concentrated in Wayanad, Palakkad, Idukki, and other hilly districts |
| Tamil Nadu | Toda, Kota, Irula, Kurumba, Badaga, Paniya | Toda tribe of Nilgiri Hills – famous for semicircular thatched houses and sacred buffalo herding; Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Shompen, Nicobarese, Great Andamanese | All 5 indigenous Andamanese groups are PVTGs; among the most vulnerable peoples on Earth; strict legal protections |
| Himachal Pradesh | Gujjar, Gaddi, Kinnaura (Kinnauri), Lahauli, Pangwala, Spitian | Gaddi are sheep-herding nomadic pastoral tribe; Gujjar are migratory cattle-herders; Kinnauri known for distinctive caps |
| Uttarakhand | Jaunsari, Bhotia, Tharu, Raji, Buksa | Tharu people in Terai belt (shared with Nepal and UP); Bhotia are Tibetan-origin high-altitude pastoralists; Raji are a PVTG |
| West Bengal | Santhal, Munda, Ho, Lodha, Rabha, Toto | Santhal is the dominant ST in WB; Toto tribe (near Alipurduar) are extremely small – only ~1,600 individuals |
| Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh | Gujjar, Bakarwal, Changpa, Dard, Brokpa | Gujjar-Bakarwal are nomadic pastoralists; Changpa are high-altitude nomadic herders of Pashmina goats in Ladakh; Changthang plateau |
Famous Tribal Uprisings and Historical Significance
| Uprising / Event | Leader / Tribe | Year | State | SSC Key Fact |
| Ulgulan (Great Tumult) | Birsa Munda – Munda tribe | 1899–1900 | Jharkhand (undivided Bihar) | Most famous tribal uprising; Birsa Munda is called ‘Bhagwan’ (God) by his people; fought against British land acquisition; Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary (15 November) is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) from 2021 |
| Santhal Hul (Rebellion) | Sidho and Kanhu Murmu – Santhal tribe | 1855–56 | Jharkhand (Santhal Parganas) | Major tribal rebellion against zamindars and British; June 30 observed as Hul Diwas; led to creation of Santhal Parganas as a protected area |
| Bhil Uprising / Bhagat Movement | Govind Guru – Bhil tribe | 1913 | Rajasthan (Dungarpur, Banswara) | Govind Guru led the Bhils in social and political resistance; Mangarh Massacre (17 November 1913) – British killed hundreds of Bhils gathered for a meeting; called ‘Adivasi Jallianwala Bagh’ |
| Kol Uprising | Kol tribe | 1831–32 | Jharkhand-Bengal region | Resistance against British land policies; one of the earlier tribal uprisings |
| Naga Rebellion | Naga National Council, later NSCN | 1950s–present | Nagaland | Longest ongoing insurgency in India; demand for Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) |
| Mizo Uprising | Laldenga – Mizo National Front (MNF) | 1966–86 | Mizoram | Led to Mizoram becoming a full state in 1987 after Mizoram Peace Accord; Laldenga became CM |
| Bodo Movement | Bodo people, BLTF, NDFB | 1980s–2020 | Assam | Led to creation of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD/BTC); Bodo Peace Accord 2020 |
Famous Tribal Arts, Crafts, and Cultural Traditions
| Art / Tradition | Tribe | State | Key SSC Fact |
| Warli Painting | Warli tribe | Maharashtra (Palghar, Thane) | Geometric white paintings on red/brown background; depicts daily life, rituals; UNESCO-recognised; very frequently asked in SSC cultural questions |
| Gond Painting (Gondh Art) | Gond tribe | Madhya Pradesh, CG | Vibrant, intricate paintings using dots and dashes; nature and mythology themes; internationally recognised folk art |
| Saura / Sura Painting (Ittalan) | Saura (Sora) tribe | Odisha (Gajapati district) | Wall murals; geometric patterns; represents communication with ancestral spirits |
| Patachitra | Not strictly tribal but practiced in tribal regions | Odisha and West Bengal | Cloth-scroll painting; Odisha Patachitra distinct from WB version; stories of Jagannath |
| Toda Embroidery (Pukhoor) | Toda tribe | Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris) | Intricate geometric embroidery on white cloth; traditional ritual garments |
| Bamboo Craft | Multiple NE tribes | Northeast India generally | Bamboo weaving, furniture, tools; entire material culture based on bamboo in many NE tribes |
| Hornbill Festival | Naga tribes collectively | Nagaland (Kisama Heritage Village) | Annual 10-day festival (Dec 1-10) showcasing all Naga tribal cultures; traditional dance, food, crafts, sports; launched 2000 |
| Sangai Festival | Various Manipuri communities | Manipur (Imphal) | Annual festival (November) showcasing Manipur’s culture, handicrafts, sports, tourism; named after the Sangai deer |
| Dhokra Metal Casting | Dhokra craftspeople (Oraon, Kol) | West Bengal, Odisha, CG, MP | Ancient lost-wax metal casting (over 4,000 years old); one of India’s oldest craft traditions; figures of horses, elephants, tribal deities |
| Chang-lo Dance | Chang Naga tribe | Nagaland | Traditional war dance of the Chang Naga; performed at Feasts of Merit; very colourful headgear |
Matrilineal Tribal Societies in India
| Tribe | State | Nature of Matriliny | SSC Key Fact |
| Khasi | Meghalaya | Matrilineal and matrilocal – property, clan identity, and family name pass through the mother; youngest daughter (Ka Khadduh) inherits the family home and takes care of parents | Most famous matrilineal society in India; frequently asked in SSC; Khasi women have strong property and social rights |
| Jaintia (Pnar) | Meghalaya | Matrilineal – similar to Khasi system | Closely related to Khasi; Jaintia Hills area of Meghalaya |
| Garo | Meghalaya (and some in Assam, Tripura) | Matrilineal and matrilocal – youngest daughter inherits; son-in-law comes to live in wife’s house | Second major matrilineal group in Meghalaya; distinct from Khasi but similar system |
| Nair | Kerala | Formerly matrilineal (Marumakkathayam system) | Nair is not a tribal community but had one of India’s most elaborate matrilineal systems; now legally abolished but culturally influential |
| Bunt | Karnataka (coastal Tulu Nadu) | Formerly matrilineal | Similar to Nairs; coastal Karnataka community; now mostly patrilineal |
Key Government Schemes and Organisations for Tribal Welfare
| Scheme / Organisation | Established | Purpose / Key Fact |
| Ministry of Tribal Affairs | 1999 | Nodal ministry for tribal development; oversees all tribal welfare schemes; separated from Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry |
| National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) | 2004 (Constitutional body – Art 338A) | Constitutional body; protects rights and safeguards of STs; investigates tribal rights violations |
| Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) / Scheduled Tribe Component | 1974 | Earmarked funds for tribal areas proportional to ST population; now called Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) |
| Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) | 1997-98 | Residential schools for ST students in Scheduled Areas; free quality education; modelled on Navodaya Vidyalayas |
| Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDKs) | 2018 | Market linkages for tribal products; tribal forest produce value addition; under TRIFED |
| TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation) | 1987 | Marketing of tribal products; promotes tribal art and craft; PM Van Dhan Scheme |
| Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 | 2006 | Recognises customary forest rights of forest-dwelling STs; land pattas for tribal cultivators in forests |
| PESA Act, 1996 | 1996 | Extends Panchayati Raj to Scheduled Areas; empowers gram sabha; prevents land alienation |
| PM-JANMAN (PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) | 2023 | Special mission for 75 PVTGs; saturation approach – 100% coverage of key welfare schemes in PVTG areas |
| Janjatiya Gaurav Divas | 2021 | 15 November – birth anniversary of Birsa Munda – celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) to honour tribal freedom fighters |
| Sixth Schedule ADCs | 1950 (Constitution) | Autonomous District Councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram – legislative powers for tribal self-governance |
Quick Fact Table – Tribes of India for SSC Exams
| Question / Fact | Answer |
| Total ST population (Census 2011) | ~10.42 crore (8.6% of India’s population) |
| Most populous tribe in India | Gond – Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, CG, Telangana, AP |
| 2nd most populous tribe | Bhil – Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra |
| 3rd most populous tribe | Santhal – Jharkhand, WB, Odisha, Bihar |
| State with highest absolute ST population | Madhya Pradesh |
| State with highest ST % of population | Mizoram (~94.4%) |
| UT with highest ST % | Lakshadweep (~94.8%) |
| Total number of PVTGs in India | 75 PVTGs across 18 states and 1 UT |
| State with most PVTGs | Odisha – 13 PVTGs |
| Most isolated tribe on Earth | Sentinelese – North Sentinel Island, A&N Islands |
| Largest PVTG by population | Chenchu – Andhra Pradesh |
| Famous tribe: Birsa Munda uprising | Munda tribe – Jharkhand – Ulgulan (1899-1900) |
| Birsa Munda’s birthday celebrated as | Janjatiya Gaurav Divas – 15 November |
| Santhal Hul (1855) leaders | Sidho and Kanhu Murmu – Santhal tribe |
| Most famous matrilineal tribe in India | Khasi – Meghalaya |
| Other matrilineal tribes in Meghalaya | Garo and Jaintia (Pnar) |
| Warli painting belongs to | Warli tribe – Maharashtra (Palghar, Thane) |
| Gond painting belongs to | Gond tribe – MP and Chhattisgarh |
| Toda tribe is famous for | Semicircular reed houses, sacred buffalo herding – Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu |
| Dongria Kondh fought against | Vedanta bauxite mining in Niyamgiri Hills – Supreme Court 2013 ruled in their favour |
| Changpa are known for herding | Pashmina goats – Ladakh (Changthang plateau) |
| Apatani women are known for | Traditional nose plugs and facial tattoos – Arunachal Pradesh (Ziro Valley) |
| Hornbill Festival is associated with | Naga tribes – Nagaland (December 1-10) |
| Sixth Schedule applies to | Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram – Autonomous District Councils |
| Fifth Schedule applies to | Most other states with Scheduled Areas (AP, CG, Gujarat, HP, Jharkhand, MP, MH, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana) |
| PESA Act (1996) purpose | Extension of Panchayati Raj to Scheduled Areas; empowers tribal gram sabha |
| Forest Rights Act (2006) purpose | Recognises forest rights of forest-dwelling STs; land pattas in forests |
| Toto tribe (only ~1,600) is in | West Bengal (Alipurduar district, near Bhutan border) |
| Bru (Reang) people crisis was in | Mizoram/Tripura – Bru refugees settled in Tripura after 2020 agreement |
| PM-JANMAN launched for | 75 PVTGs – saturation of welfare schemes – launched November 2023 |
ALSO READ: SSC Geography Lakes in India PPT (LEC #28)
PYQ:
Q1: Who was Birsa Munda and why is he so significant in Indian tribal history?
Birsa Munda (1875–1900) was a revolutionary tribal leader from the Munda community of the Chota Nagpur Plateau (in present-day Jharkhand), who led what became known as the Ulgulan or Great Tumult – a major tribal uprising against British colonial rule and the exploitation of tribal lands and forests by landlords (dikus). Birsa was deeply spiritual and presented himself as a divine prophet (Bhagwan) who would restore the tribal golden age. He organised the Munda people to resist land alienation, bonded labour, and forced conversion, and his movement contributed to the passage of the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act (1908), which gave some protection to tribal land rights. Birsa Munda died in British custody in 1900 at only 25 years of age, but he remains one of India’s most revered tribal leaders. The Government of India designated his birth anniversary (15 November) as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) from 2021, and his portrait hangs in the Parliament’s Central Hall.
Q2: What makes the Khasi society of Meghalaya unique in India?
The Khasi of Meghalaya are one of the most prominent matrilineal societies in the world and the most famous in India. In the Khasi system, descent, clan identity, property inheritance, and family name all pass through the mother rather than the father. The youngest daughter (called Ka Khadduh) holds a special position – she inherits the family home and is responsible for caring for parents and ancestral property. Men marry into the wife’s family and household (matrilocal residence), and children take the mother’s clan name. This contrasts sharply with the patrilineal systems prevalent across most of India. The Khasi system gives women significant economic and social authority. The Garo and Jaintia (Pnar) peoples of Meghalaya also follow similar matrilineal systems, making Meghalaya unique in India for its concentration of matrilineal communities across multiple major tribal groups.
Q3: What is the significance of the Dongria Kondh tribe and the Niyamgiri Hills case?
The Dongria Kondh are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) living in the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha’s Rayagada and Kalahandi districts. They consider the Niyamgiri Hills sacred – specifically worshipping the deity Niyam Raja at the summit. When Vedanta Resources (a mining company) sought permission to mine the hill for bauxite (one of India’s largest deposits), the Dongria Kondh mounted a sustained campaign to protect their home, culture, and sacred mountain. The case went to the Supreme Court of India, which in a landmark 2013 judgment ruled that the consent of the gram sabhas (village councils) of the affected communities must be obtained before any mining could proceed. The gram sabhas unanimously rejected the mining proposal. This case became one of India’s most celebrated examples of tribal forest rights, indigenous sovereignty, and the intersection of development and conservation – referenced frequently in environmental law, tribal rights, and geography questions.
Q4: What are PVTGs and why are they classified separately from other STs?
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are a sub-category within Scheduled Tribes that the Government of India identifies as the most vulnerable tribal communities, based on four criteria: pre-agricultural level of technology (dependence on hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation), declining or stagnant population, very low literacy rate, and subsistence-level economy. Originally called Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs), they were renamed PVTGs in 2006. There are 75 PVTGs across 18 states and 1 Union Territory (A&N Islands), with Odisha having the maximum number (13 PVTGs). These communities receive special protection – including the strictest conservation measures for the Andaman tribes (Sentinelese, Jarawa, Onge) where any contact is prohibited – and focused government development programmes like PM-JANMAN (2023) to ensure saturation coverage of welfare schemes in their areas.
Q5: What is Warli painting and why is it culturally significant?
Warli painting is a traditional art form of the Warli (also spelled Varli) tribal community of Palghar and Thane districts in Maharashtra. It consists of geometric shapes – primarily circles, triangles, and squares arranged in repetitive patterns on a red-ochre or brown background, drawn in white using rice paste. The paintings depict scenes of daily life, seasonal festivals, agricultural cycles, hunting, fishing, and religious ceremonies – particularly the tarpa dance performed around a musician playing the tarpa (a wind instrument). The circle represents the sun and moon; the triangle represents mountains or trees; the square represents the sacred earth. Warli painting was traditionally done on the interior walls of tribal homes for ritual purposes, particularly during weddings. It gained international recognition in the 1970s when artists like Jivya Soma Mashe brought it to cities and galleries. Warli painting is now UNESCO-recognised, commercially produced, and used in fashion and design – while remaining a living tradition in the tribal belt of Maharashtra.
Q6: How does the Sixth Schedule protect tribal autonomy in Northeast India?
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, providing these tribal communities with a much stronger degree of self-governance than the Fifth Schedule areas in other states. Under the Sixth Schedule, Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils are established, with powers to make laws on specified subjects including land management, forests (other than reserved forests), village administration, money lending, social customs, and certain criminal and civil matters. These ADC laws, when assented to by the Governor, have the force of law. This means tribal communities in Meghalaya (Khasi Hills ADC, Garo Hills ADC, Jaintia Hills ADC), Assam (Bodo Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council), Tripura (Tripura Tribal Areas ADC), and Mizoram (various ADCs) exercise significant legislative and judicial authority over their traditional territories.
Q7: What are the major differences between tribes in Central India and those in Northeast India?
The tribal communities of Central India (Jharkhand, Odisha, MP, CG) and Northeast India differ significantly in language, culture, economy, and political organisation. Central Indian tribes – Gond, Munda, Santhal, Ho, Oraon – belong to the Dravidian and Austro-Asiatic language families, are primarily settled agriculturalists or forest dwellers, and their tribal uprisings were mainly against colonial land exploitation and diku (outsider) economic domination. Northeast Indian tribes – Naga, Mizo, Bodo, Khasi, Garo, Adi, Apatani – belong to the Tibeto-Burman language family, have a much higher proportion of the state population (up to 94% in Mizoram), and their political struggles have often been for sovereignty and political autonomy rather than land rights alone. Northeast tribes also have stronger connections with East and Southeast Asian cultures, distinctive material cultures (bamboo architecture, weaving), and the region’s tribes have achieved significant political representation through the Sixth Schedule’s Autonomous District Councils and statehood demands (Mizoram and Nagaland became separate states partly due to tribal identity movements).
Rapid Revision Cheat Sheet – Tribes of India
| Topic | Key Point |
| ST population (2011) | ~10.42 crore (8.6% of India’s population) |
| Most populous tribe | Gond (MP, CG, MH, Telangana, AP) |
| 2nd most populous tribe | Bhil (Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, MH) |
| 3rd most populous tribe | Santhal (Jharkhand, WB, Odisha, Bihar) |
| Highest ST population state | Madhya Pradesh (absolute numbers) |
| Highest ST % state | Mizoram (~94.4%) |
| Total PVTGs | 75 across 18 states and 1 UT (A&N Islands) |
| State with most PVTGs | Odisha – 13 PVTGs |
| Largest PVTG | Chenchu – Andhra Pradesh |
| Most isolated tribe | Sentinelese – North Sentinel Island |
| Birsa Munda uprising | Ulgulan – Munda tribe – Jharkhand – 1899-1900 |
| Janjatiya Gaurav Divas | 15 November – Birsa Munda’s birthday (from 2021) |
| Santhal Hul leaders | Sidho and Kanhu Murmu – 1855-56 |
| Most famous matrilineal tribe | Khasi – Meghalaya |
| Other matrilineal tribes (Meghalaya) | Garo and Jaintia (Pnar) |
| Warli painting | Warli tribe – Maharashtra (Palghar, Thane) |
| Gond painting | Gond tribe – MP and Chhattisgarh |
| Toda tribe habitat | Nilgiri Hills – Tamil Nadu |
| Hornbill Festival | Naga tribes – Nagaland – December 1-10 |
| Dongria Kondh fought against | Vedanta bauxite mining – Niyamgiri Hills – SC 2013 |
| Changpa herd | Pashmina goats – Changthang, Ladakh |
| Apatani known for | Nose plugs and facial tattoos – Ziro Valley, Arunachal |
| Sixth Schedule states | Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram – ADCs |
| Fifth Schedule areas | AP, CG, Gujarat, HP, Jharkhand, MP, MH, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana |
| PESA Act (1996) | Panchayati Raj in Scheduled Areas; tribal gram sabha empowered |
| Forest Rights Act (2006) | Forest rights for forest-dwelling STs; land pattas |
| PM-JANMAN (2023) | For 75 PVTGs – saturation of welfare schemes |
| Toto tribe | WB (Alipurduar); ~1,600 individuals only |
| Bru (Reang) settlement | 2020 agreement – settled in Tripura from Mizoram |
| Serial number of this PPT | #107 in the Complete Foundation Batch |
Conclusion
Tribes of India is a topic that bridges cultural geography, constitutional law, and social justice – making it one of the most multidimensional chapters in the SSC Geography syllabus. Questions on which tribe is in which state, constitutional provisions (Fifth and Sixth Schedules, PESA, FRA), historical uprisings (Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan, Santhal Hul), matrilineal societies (Khasi, Garo), and PVTGs are all direct, predictable exam questions.
The SSC Geography Tribes of India PPT (LEC #29), Serial #107, available at slideshareppt.net in bilingual Hindi + English format across 138 slides, is the complete visual companion for this topic. Study the state-wise tribe table, memorise the constitutional provisions, learn the PVTG list, and use the Rapid Revision Cheat Sheet in your final week. This topic reliably delivers 2–4 marks per SSC or RRB paper for well-prepared students.
