Tribal Areas and Administrative Framework

The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) framework was established nationally by the Planning Commission (1974–75 Fifth Five-Year Plan) to earmark a proportionate share of development funds for tribal areas. In Rajasthan, the TSP covers:

• 5 districts (entirely or substantially tribal): Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Udaipur, and Sirohi (partially)
• 32 tehsils designated as tribal tehsils
• 3,892 revenue villages
• Approximate population covered: 40+ lakh (predominantly southern Rajasthan tribal belt)

The TSP mandates that funds from all state departments proportional to the ST population percentage (13.48%) must be routed through the tribal sub-plan. In practice, the State Tribal Area Development Department (TAD) oversees implementation.

5.2 Fifth Schedule Areas

Under Article 244 of the Constitution, Schedule V (Fifth Schedule) provides for a special administrative regime for tribal areas. Rajasthan's tribal-dominated districts are not under Fifth Schedule administration (unlike Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha). Rajasthan's ST areas operate under the regular state administration, though the TSP framework provides targeted funding.

This is a common exam confusion: Rajasthan does NOT have Fifth Schedule areas; Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, PESA 1996, does not apply to Rajasthan's tribal areas. Students often confuse this with other states.

5.3 Tribal Area Development Department

The Tribal Area Development Department (TAD) administers welfare programmes for tribal communities. Key programmes:

Programme	Focus	Coverage
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)	Quality education for tribal children	48 schools in Rajasthan (2024-25)
Pre-Matric Scholarship (ST)	Education support	Classes I–X, ST students
Post-Matric Scholarship (ST)	Higher education	ST college students
Ashram Schools	Residential schools in tribal areas	300+ in tribal belt
Tribal Hostels	Accommodation for tribal students	350+ hostels
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras	Tribal livelihood, NTFP processing	34 VDVKs in Rajasthan
Saharia Development Programme	PVTG-specific welfare	Baran, Kota, Jhalawar

Source: Rajasthan TAD Department, Budget 2025-26; TRIFED Annual Report 2024-25

5.4 Banswara and Dungarpur: Tribal Heartland Profile

Banswara (known as "City of Hundred Islands" — Sau Dweepon ka Shehar — due to Mahi River tributaries) has the highest proportion of ST population among all Rajasthan districts. Approximately 72% of Banswara's population is tribal (predominantly Bhil and Bhil Mina). Dungarpur has approximately 58% ST population and hosts the famous Baneshwar Tribal Fair.

Both districts have higher sex ratios (close to parity) and lower female foeticide rates than non-tribal districts — a counter-intuitive demographic pattern explained by tribal gender norms (women's labour valued in agriculture, no dowry burden, greater social freedom for women).

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