Context:
There is growing demand to include Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT/NT) in the Census 2027 to address decades of historical injustice, invisibility, and marginalisation.
Key Highlights:
- Policy Gap:
- No confirmation yet on inclusion of DNT/NT in Census 2027
- Supreme Court dismissed plea for inclusion in caste census
- Historical Background:
- Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 labelled communities as “criminal”
- Denotified in 1952, but stigma persists
- Population Estimates:
- Estimated between 8–14 crore
- Renke Commission (2008): ~10.74 crore
- Idate Commission (2017): Identified 1,200 communities
- Current Issues:
- Lack of education, employment, identity documents
- Social discrimination and exclusion
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Denotified Tribes (DNT):
- Communities decriminalised after repeal of Criminal Tribes Act (1871)
- Nomadic Tribes (NT):
- Communities with mobile livelihoods
- Commissions:
- Renke Commission (2008) – socio-economic status
- Idate Commission (2017) – classification and welfare
- Census:
- Conducted by Registrar General of India
Relevant Mains Points:
- Core Issue – Invisibility in Data:
- Absence in Census leads to policy neglect
- Lack of targeted welfare schemes
- Social Justice Dimension:
- Similar vulnerabilities as SC/ST/OBC, but without structured safeguards
- Persistent stigma and discrimination
- Governance Challenges:
- Fragmented classification across SC/ST/OBC lists
- Lack of dedicated constitutional recognition
- Economic and Cultural Aspects:
- Rich traditional knowledge systems (medicine, crafts)
- Excluded from formal economy and development
- Demand for Reform:
- Enumeration in Census
- Creation of separate constitutional schedule
- Targeted welfare interventions
- Way Forward:
- Include DNT/NT enumeration in Census 2027
- Provide legal recognition and identity documentation
- Design exclusive welfare schemes
- Promote skill development and livelihood support
- Address stigma through awareness and inclusion policies
UPSC Relevance:
• GS 1: Indian Society – Marginalized communities
• GS 2: Social Justice & Governance
• Prelims: DNT history, commissions, census role