Aspirant Academy

Geography

Current Affairs Integration

Demographic Characteristics, Tribes of Rajasthan

Paper II · Unit 3 Section 12 of 14 0 PYQs 36 min
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Current Affairs Integration

Recent Developments

  • PM JANMAN Yojana (November 2023): The central government launched the PM Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) with ₹24,000 crore allocation specifically for India's 75 PVTGs. Rajasthan's Saharia (Baran district) is among the targeted communities. The scheme provides pucca housing, drinking water, mobile medical units, Aadhaar enrolment, anganwadi services, and road connectivity to isolated PVTG habitations.

  • August 2023 — 50 Districts: The Rajasthan government created 19 new districts (and 3 new divisions), raising the district count from 33 to 50. New tribal-region districts include Salumbar (carved from Udaipur — strengthens administrative proximity to tribal belt) and Pratapgarh remaining as the state's youngest fully tribal district (carved in 2008). This reorganization affects all population density, demographic data questions — the 2026 exam may require both old (Census 2011 boundaries) and new (post-2023) geographic awareness.

  • RISA: Timeless Tribal Brand (March 2026): Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the 'RISA: Timeless Tribal' national brand via TRIFED to market tribal textiles and crafts from 10 clusters to premium domestic and global markets. Rajasthan's Bhil Pithora paintings and Garasia textiles could benefit. This represents the shift from subsistence-based tribal economy to commercial integration.

  • Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 (March–April 2026): India's first Khelo India Tribal Games, held in Chhattisgarh (Raipur, Jagdalpur, Surguja), March 25–April 3, 2026, featured 3,800+ tribal athletes from 30 states. Though hosted by Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan tribal athletes (Bhil, Meena communities) participated. This signals a new policy of mainstreaming tribal athletic talent.

  • Rajasthan Cabinet — Two-Child Norm Scrapped (February 2026): The Rajasthan Cabinet approved scrapping the 31-year-old two-child norm (introduced 1995) for panchayat and municipal elections. This demographic policy change directly affects tribal communities in southern Rajasthan where birth rates remain higher than the state average. Removing the norm allows tribal women with more than two children to contest local body elections.

  • Naxalism Decline (2026): By early 2026, Naxal presence (relevant to tribal regions nationally) has been declared near-eradicated. Active cadres fell from 2,000+ to ~220; this has indirect demographic implications as tribal areas in formerly Red Corridor states see improved development reach. Rajasthan itself has no Naxal presence, but tribal welfare comparisons with Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are policy-relevant.

  • Ol Chiki Script Centenary (February 2026): President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the centenary of the Santhali Ol Chiki script. Though Santhali is concentrated in Jharkhand-Bengal, the recognition of tribal scripts underscores the national policy of preserving tribal linguistic identity — relevant to Rajasthan's Bhili and Wagdi language communities which lack an official script.

Potential Exam Questions from Current Affairs

  1. Possible question: What is PM JANMAN Yojana? How does it benefit Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in Rajasthan?
    Answer pointers: Launch date (November 2023), budget (₹24,000 crore), targets 75 PVTGs nationally, Rajasthan's Saharia (Baran) covered, components (housing, water, roads, medical, Aadhaar), significance as first dedicated PVTG scheme at scale.

  2. Possible question: Rajasthan reorganized its districts in August 2023. What was the demographic rationale for this reorganization? Name any five new districts.
    Answer pointers: 19 new districts (33→50); rationale — administrative proximity, better governance delivery in remote areas; examples: Salumbar (tribal belt), Anupgarh (border), Balotara (industrial), Kotputli-Behror (Delhi access); demographic implication — smaller administrative units allow targeted welfare delivery.

  3. Possible question: Discuss the concept of demographic dividend and assess Rajasthan's readiness to capitalize on it.
    Answer pointers: Definition (large working-age cohort 15–59); Rajasthan 63% working-age; challenges (low female literacy 52.1%, high dropout, skill gaps); opportunities (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, RSLDC skilling 35 lakh target); window open through 2040–45.