Which are the major tribes in India?
The nature of what constitutes an Indian tribe and the very nature of tribes have changed considerably over centuries.
This post is about the major tribes in India – with a population of more than 10,000.
What is a tribe?
A tribe is a social division in a traditional society consisting of families linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect. A tribe possesses certain qualities and characteristics that make it a unique cultural, social, and political entity.
Tribes are also known by the name ‘Adivasis’ in India.
Tribes in India
Constitution of India has recognized tribal communities in India under ‘Schedule 5’ of the constitution. Hence the tribes recognized by the Constitution are known as ‘ Scheduled Tribes’.
There are around 645 distinct tribes in India. However, in this article, we concentrate only on the major names.
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Major Tribes in India: Arranged State-wise
Andhra Pradesh: Andh, Sadhu Andh, Bhagata, Bhil, Chenchus (Chenchawar), Gadabas, Gond, Goundu, Jatapus, Kammara, Kattunayakan, Kolawar, Kolam, Konda, Manna Dhora, Pardhan, Rona, Savaras, Dabba Yerukula, Nakkala, Dhulia, Thoti, Sugalis, Banjara, Kondareddis, Koya, Mukha Dhora, Valmiki , Yenadis, Sugalis, Lambadis.
Arunachal Pradesh: Apatanis, Abor, Dafla, Galong, Momba, Sherdukpen, Singpho, Nyishi, Mishmi, Idu, Taroan, Tagin, Adi, Monpa, Wancho
Assam: Chakma, Chutiya, Dimasa, Hajong, Garos, Khasis, Gangte, Karbi, Boro, Borokachari, Kachari, Sonwal, Miri, Rabha, Garo
Bihar: Asur, Baiga, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Gond, Parhaiya, Santhals, Savar, Kharwar, Banjara, Oraon, Santal, Tharu
Chhattisgarh: Agariya, Bhaina, Bhattra, Biar, Khond, Mawasi, Nagasia, Gond, Binjhwar, Halba, Halbi, Kawar, Sawar,
Goa: Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda, Siddi,Varli, Gawda.
Gujarat: Barda, Bamcha, Bhil, Charan, Dhodia, Gamta, Paradhi, Patelia, Dhanka, Dubla, Talavia, Halpati, Kokna, Naikda, Patelia, Rathawa, Siddi.
Himachal Pradesh: Gaddis, Gujjars, Khas, Lamba, Lahaulas, Pangwala, Swangla, Beta, Beda Bhot, Bodh.
Jammu and Kashmir: Bakarwal, Balti, Beda, Gaddi, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Sippi, Changpa, Gujjar.
Jharkhand: Birhors, Bhumij, Gonds, Kharia, Mundas, Santhals, Savar, Bedia, Ho, Kharwar, Lohra, Mahli, Parhaiya, Santal, Kol, Banjara.
Karnataka: Adiyan, Barda, Gond, Bhil, Iruliga, Koraga, Patelia, Yerava, Hasalaru, Koli Dhor, Marati , Meda, Naikda, Soligaru.
Kerala: Adiyan, Arandan, Eravallan, Kurumbas, Malai arayan, Moplahs, Uralis, Irular, Kanikaran, Kattunayakan, Kurichchan, Muthuvan.
Madhya Pradesh: Baigas, Bhils, Bharia, Birhors, Gonds, Katkari, kharia, Khond, Kol, Murias, Korku, Mawasi, Pardhan, Sahariya,
Maharashtra: Bhaina, Bhunjia, Dhodia, Katkari, Khond, Rathawa, Warlis, Dhanka, Halba, Kathodi, Kokna, Koli Mahadev, Pardhi, Thakur,
Manipur: Naga, Kuki, Meitei, Aimol, Angami, Chiru, Maram, Monsang, Paite, Purum, Thadou, Anal, Mao, Tangkhul, Thadou, Poumai Naga.
Meghalaya: Chakma, Garos, Hajong, Jaintias Khasis, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Mikir.
Mizoram: Chakma, Dimasa, Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Pawi, Raba, Synteng, Lushai
Nagaland: Angami, Garo, Kachari, Kuki, Mikir, Nagas, Sema, Ao, Chakhesang, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Rengma, Sangtam,
Odisha: Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Khond, Matya, Oraons, Rajuar, Santhals, Bathudi, Bathuri, Bhottada, Bhumij, Gond, Juang, Kisan, Kolha, Kora, Khayara, Koya, Munda, Paroja, Saora, Shabar, Lodha.
Rajasthan: Bhils, Damaria, Dhanka, Meenas(Minas), Patelia, Sahariya, Naikda, Nayaka, Kathodi.
Sikkim: Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas, Limboo, Tamang
Tamil Nadu: Adiyan, Aranadan, Eravallan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Todas, Kurumans, Malayali,
Telangana: Chenchus.
Tripura: Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal, Chakma, Halam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte, Mag, Munda, Riang,
Uttarakhand: Bhotias, Buksa, Jannsari, Khas, Raji, Tharu.
Uttar Pradesh: Bhotia, Buksa, Jaunsari, Kol, Raji, Tharu, Gond, Kharwar, Saharya , Parahiya, Baiga, Agariya, Chero
West Bengal: Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Parhaiya, Rabha, Santhals, Savar, Bhumij, Bhutia, Chik Baraik, Kisan, Kora, Lodha, Kheria, Khariam, Mahali, Mal Pahariya, Oraon,
Andaman and Nicobar: Oraons, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens.
Points to remember
- The total population of Scheduled Tribes is 10.43 crore as per the Census 2011 which accounts for 8.6% of the total population of the country. The share of the Scheduled Tribe population in urban areas is a meagre 2.8%.
- Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka are the State having a larger number of Scheduled Tribes These states account for 83.2% of the total Scheduled Tribe population of the country. Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Jammu & Kashmir, Tripura, Mizoram, Bihar, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, accounting for another 15.3% of the total Scheduled Tribe population. The share of the remaining states / Uts is negligible.
- The Scheduled Tribes in India form the largest proportion of the total population in Lakshadweep and Mizoram followed by Nagaland and Meghalaya.
- Madhya Pradesh has the largest number of scheduled Tribes followed by Orissa.
- Bastar district of Chattisgarh consists of the largest number of Scheduled Tribes.
- There are no Scheduled Tribes in Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh, Pondicherry, Haryana.
- In Lok Sabha, there is a reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes. Here also census figures are taken into account. Allocation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha are made on the basis of the proportion of Scheduled Tribes in the State concerned to that of the total population, vide provision contained in Article 330 of the Constitution of India read with Section 3 of the R. P. Act, 1950.
- For Scheduled Tribes, 47 seats are reserved in Lok Sabha. The 1st schedule to R. P. Act, 1950 as amended vide Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2008 gives the Statewise break up
Scheduled Tribes
Article 366 (25) defined scheduled tribes as “such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of this constitution”.
Article 342 in The Constitution Of India 1949
Scheduled Tribes
(1) The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State, after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes or tribal communities which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be
(2) Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes specified in a notification issued under clause ( 1 ) any tribe or tribal community or part of or group within any tribe or tribal community, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification PART XVII OFFICIAL LANGUAGE CHAPTER I LANGUAGE OF THE UNION.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is responsible for the overall development of the scheduled tribes in India. This Ministry was set up in 1999 after the bifurcation of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with the objective of providing more focused approach on the integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs), the most underprivileged of the Indian Society, in a coordinated and planned manner.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs shall be the nodal Ministry for overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes of development for the Scheduled Tribes. In regard to sectoral programmes and schemes of development of these communities policy, planning, monitoring, evaluation etc. as also their coordination will be the responsibility of the concerned Central Ministries/ Departments, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Each Central Ministry/Department will be the nodal Ministry or Department concerning its sector.
Before the formation of the Ministry, tribal affairs were handled by different Ministries as follows:
- As a Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs named as ‘Tribal Division’ since independence up to September 1985.
- Ministry of Welfare: From September 1985 to May 1998.
- Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment from May 1998 to September 1999.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- (i) the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and (ii) the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) w.e.f. 19 February 2004.
The Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) strategy
The Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) strategy is a Government of India initiative aimed for the rapid socio-economic development of tribal people. The funds provided under the Tribal Sub Plan of the State have to be at least equal in proportion to the ST population of each State or UTs.
Similarly, Central Ministries/Departments are also required to earmark funds out of their budget for the Tribal Sub-Plan. As per guidelines issued by the Planning Commission, the Tribal Sub Plan funds are to be non-divertible and non-lapsable.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is vested with the duty to participate and advise in the planning process of socio-economic development of STs, and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State.
Reference:
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- Ministry of Law and Justice
- CensusIndia
Article by: Priyanka Sunil
thanks
Can understand why govt reports like that of Ministry of Tribal Affairs come up with generalised shoddy lists of STs. But fails to understand how clearias.com cannot be critical in disseminating critical reports and studies. All of the STs mentioned in no 30 belongs to Arunachal. A reader must fail to understand why such lists are taken for granted and not corrected. What is the point of mentioning “Northeast” category when separate northeastern states are mentioned in the list above. Time we need to critically study rather than mechanically manufacture tutored mindset.
Please correct Bastard district is now in Chattisgarh
Hello
I was noted that the writer not included the Banjara’s one of the important tribe group which has it’s routes In the states like Andhra pradesh, Telangana, karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamilnadu.
Banjaras are the major traders of the India in the time of mughal’s peroid.
Banjaras are also well known as the great pastoralists.
They are the major sources for the milk products and meets to the society
Alauddin khalji named banjara’s as the their transport agents of grains to the city markets
Jahangir wrote about the banjaras carried grains on their bullocks for the Mughal army during military campaigns
This article is old one lacking sufficient data as tribal population is of 2001 census instead 2011 census report. This article has no data regarding largest tribes as well as lowest tribes. Bhil and Gond tribes are the largest tribes occupying first and second position. Gond tribe is the largest tribe in Chhatishgarh but that has not been mentioned in the Chhatishgarh and Madhya Pradesh lists. They are also 2nd largest in Odisha followed by Khondh tribe.
what about the tribes of Lakshwadeep?
Apparently, the readers seems to notice some issues with the ST lists on the article. From my side , the point i would like to clarify is the list mentioned in the state of Nagaland.
* Garo and Mikir , they not tribes from Nagaland. Garos are one of the major tribes from Meghalaya.
* Naga is the common name used for the several tribes residing in Nagaland. The people of Nagaland are called Nagas, hence using the word “Nagas” might not be very suitable in the tribe list.
*Angami, kachari, kuki, sema…. all comes under Nagas.( they are just a couple of tribes taken out of the total 16 tribes. ….the list is incomplete)
The state of nagaland is inhabited by 16 tribes — Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Kachari, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi(sema), Yimchunger, and Zeme-Liangmai (Zeliang) .Each tribe is unique in character with its own distinct customs, language and dress.
Thank you for the feedback. Most the details mentioned in our article were taken from government sources. But we shall check the latest data and update accordingly. Thank you once again.
Boro are largest tribes in Assam, but Boro is not mentioned here, they are demanding separate state bodoland
may i know tribes comes under which list(union,state and concurrent )?
Kindly, include “Ho” and “Oraon” community in the state-wise tribal list. They are among the major tribal communities of Jharkhand.
yes also in Chhattisgarh
Where is the major tribe Debbarma and other Tripuri community in the list of Tripura ST.
Plz tell me different between clan and tribe.
Many tribes of many states are not enlisted in the list eg main tribe of assam Bodos,
the Siddis of Gujarat etc.
Manipur Tribes such as Anaal, Tangkhul, Monsang, Mou, poumai, are not included which are actually the major tribes of the state. I suggest you to correct it and not make such mistakes before you publish
Except Apatani all the other listed tribes of Arunachal are unknown to me , Are the other listed tribes are major???????😕😕😕😕????
The largest Tribe in
MIZORAM are Lusei,Ralte,Hmar,Lai,Mara.
MANIPUR are Thadou,Tangkhul,Poumai,Rongmei,Mao,Paite,Hmar,Vaiphei.
Meghalaya are Khasi,Garo,Jantia,Biate.
Assam are Bodo,Chakma,Karbi,Hmar.
Assam’s major tribes are bodo, miching, karbi, deuri, sonowal kachari , rabha_hasong etc.. Please let correct..
Hi thanks I love your information
Most of the information about Assam is totally wrong.
The Karbi tribe, which is the aboriginal tribe in the northern India mainly living in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam ,which is the biggest district in the country.
However,the name of the Karbi tribe of Assam is not figured in the list of tribal in of Assam in your information.
Where is the BODO tribes in Assam?
Lambadis, sugali. Of Telangana state Andhra pradesh are not mentioned in the trible list. It is incompleate list.please compleate the list and publish.
In this information one of the major tribal community of Assam has not mentioned. The Misings (Miri) are second largest tribal community of Assam. But, it has been missed out. So, please inform with proper study, so that it will benefited to the reader…
I goes through the 2 UPSC question , but I didn’t find the tribes name in your notes.
Tribe name – changpa ( ladakh and Jammu Kashmir)
Limbu- Himalayan region)
It disappointed me.
Though your write up is beneficial to the people who needs but still needed some wounds because you totally forgot the biggest tribe of Rongmei who are found in Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and even in Myanmmar.
Sonowal kachari are also a schedule tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, this tribe is before independent
There is no nay mention of oraon tribes which is second largest tribes in jharkhand. Thank you.
@Readers – Based on your inputs, the list is updated. We apologize if we omitted any major names in the list. However, be aware that our purpose is to not to list all Scheduled Tribes, but only the major tribes in India – with a population of more than 10,000.