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History

PYQ Pattern Analysis

Tribes and Their Traditions

Paper I · Unit 1 Section 9 of 14 0 PYQs 47 min
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PYQ Pattern Analysis

Questions Asked

All five PYQ questions for this topic came from the Sociology section (Paper I Unit III) between 2016 and 2024:

  • RPSC Mains 2016, Paper I (Sociology), (2 marks): "Identify four major problems which the tribals in Rajasthan are facing."
  • RPSC Mains 2018, Paper I (Sociology), (5 marks): "What are the Constitutional efforts to solve the problems of tribes in Rajasthan?"
  • RPSC Mains 2021, Paper I (Sociology), (5 marks): "Write five major problems of tribal community of Rajasthan."
  • RPSC Mains 2023, Paper I (Sociology), (5 marks): "Present the socio-economic profile of Garasia Tribe."
  • RPSC Mains 2024, Paper I (Sociology), (5 marks): "Mention various initiatives for tribal welfare taken by the Government of India."

What RPSC Tests

Three consistent sub-themes emerge across 6 years of PYQ:

  1. Tribal problems (2016, 2021): Factual enumeration — land alienation, displacement, education deficit, health, bonded labour. RPSC prefers a list-format answer with specific data, not analytical discourse.

  2. Constitutional/legal framework (2018): Tests precise knowledge of Article 342, Fifth Schedule, PESA Act 1996, Forest Rights Act 2006 — candidates must cite exact article/section numbers and key provisions, not vague summaries.

  3. Specific tribe profiling (2023 — Garasia): Tests depth on one tribe's socio-economic status — population, location, customs, economy, welfare challenges. The 2023 question signals RPSC may profile other tribes (Saharia, Bhil, Meena) in future exams.

  4. Welfare schemes (2024): Tests awareness of central government initiatives — PM-JANMAN, EMRS, TRIFED, VDVKs, MSP-MFP scheme. This question type is knowledge-based and rewards candidates who track current welfare architecture.

Frequency and Trend

  • Appearances: 5 questions across 5 exams from Sociology section (2016, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024) — effectively 5/5
  • Trend: Rising and diversifying. Early questions (2016: 2 marks) were brief; by 2021–2024 the questions are full 5-mark items with specific tribe or scheme focus
  • Marks range: 2–5 marks per appearance. No 10-mark question has yet been asked, but the new History unit placement may invite a 10-mark question in 2026
  • Shift to History unit: The RPSC 2026 revised syllabus moves this topic to Paper I Unit 1 (History), which has 3 x 10-mark questions. This signals the possibility of a 10-mark question on tribal traditions for the first time.

2026 Prediction

Given the syllabus reclassification to History and the PYQ pattern, two question types are most likely for 2026:

  1. 5-mark factual: "Write a note on the Gavri folk tradition of the Bhil tribe." / "What is Nata Pratha? Describe its social significance." / "What is the significance of the Baneshwar Fair?"

  2. 10-mark analytical: "Describe the major traditions and customs of any two tribal communities of Rajasthan." OR "Critically examine the constitutional framework for tribal welfare in Rajasthan with special reference to PESA 1996 and Forest Rights Act 2006."

  3. Current affairs-driven: "What is PM-JANMAN? Discuss its significance for PVTGs." OR "Describe the RISA Tribal brand initiative (2026) and its significance for tribal artisans."