Scheduled Tribes: Problems, Rights, and Schemes

3.1 Problems of Tribal Communities in India

Five major problems (PYQ — 2021, 5 marks):

1. Land alienation: Tribals have lost traditional land to non-tribals through fraudulent transfers, moneylenders, and development projects (dams, mines); PESA 1996 and FRA 2006 attempt to restore rights but implementation gaps remain.

2. Forest rights denial: Despite FRA 2006, ~40% of applications were rejected (as of 2022); communities dependent on minor forest produce are economically vulnerable.

3. Educational backwardness: ST literacy rate = 59% (Census 2011) vs. national 73%; dropout rates high especially for girls; geographical remoteness limits school access.

4. Health deprivation: Malnutrition, anaemia, and infant mortality significantly higher among tribes; Rajasthan's Garasia and Bhil tribes have high under-5 malnutrition (NFHS-5: child stunting ~42% among ST nationally).

5. Displacement and rehabilitation: India's major infrastructure projects — dams (Narmada, Tehri), mines, national parks — disproportionately displaced tribals; Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and Article 244 (Scheduled/Tribal areas) provide protective framework but implementation is weak.

3.2 5th and 6th Schedule

Feature	5th Schedule (Mainland India)	6th Schedule (NE India)
Coverage	10 states (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana)	Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram
Governance	Tribal Advisory Councils (TAC); Governor's special powers over law applicability	Autonomous District Councils (ADC) with legislative powers
Key feature	Governor can direct that any Central/State law not apply or apply with modifications	ADCs can make laws on land, forests, social customs, money lending

Rajasthan's 5th Schedule districts: Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand (partial), Udaipur (partial) — with significant Bhil, Mina, and Garasia tribal populations.

3.3 Key Tribal Welfare Schemes

Scheme	Year	Key Feature
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)	1997	Residential schools for ST children; 740 sanctioned; Navodaya-equivalent quality
PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)	2023	Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs); 75 PVTGs; Rs 24,000 crore; housing, education, connectivity
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras	2018	Tribal cooperatives for value addition of minor forest produce; 50 members per VDVK
TRIFED	1987	Tribal Cooperative Marketing Federation; national marketing of tribal art, forest produce
Forest Rights Act	2006	Individual and community forest rights; 23+ lakh titles distributed (2023)
PESA	1996	Self-governance in tribal areas; Gram Sabha powers
Scholarships (Pre/Post Matric)	Ongoing	ST scholarships for education; 55 lakh beneficiaries annually

---