Comprehensive Classification of India’s Nomadic Tribes

January 30, 2025

The Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) have recently completed study on India’s denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes. This comprehensive classification effort involved categorising 268 tribes that had previously remained unclassified. The study, spanning three years, has proposed the inclusion of 179 communities in the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes lists, with 85 of these tribes being classified for the first time.

Historical Context of Tribal Classification

The need for this classification stems from the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act of 1924 in 1949. After the Act was repealed, communities notified as “criminal” have been denotified.
Since then, various commissions have attempted to classify these tribes. Notable efforts include the First Backward Classes Commission, the Lokur Committee (1965), the Mandal Commission (1980), the Renke Commission (2008), and the Idate Commission (2017).
However, none have successfully identified all communities.
The Idate Commission reported over 1,200 tribes. It found that 267 tribes have remained unclassified.

Recent Developments in Tribal Research

In February 2019, a Special Committee was constituted by the Prime Minister’s Office to expedite the classification process.
This committee included experts and was tasked with overseeing the work done by the AnSI and TRIs.
Their report was submitted in August 2023.

Importance of Accurate Classification

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment has emphasised the urgent need for accurate categorisation. Delays in this process can hinder the welfare of these communities and prevent them from accessing benefits intended for SC/STs. Historical misclassifications have complicated the issue, with tribes often being incorrectly classified as castes.

Impact on Communities and Politics

The classification of these tribes has political implications. Activists in states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are advocating for a clearer framework regarding reservations. There are differing opinions on whether these communities should be classified under existing categories or if a separate classification should be created for denotified tribes.

Future Steps in Classification

With the ethnographic study completed, the recommendations are now under scrutiny by the Special Committee. The government will soon decide on the next steps regarding the inclusion of these tribes. This decision will influence how state governments approach the classification process and the benefits that these communities may receive.

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