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Q51 (IAS/2019) Polity & Governance › Governance, Policies & Social Justice › Social justice policies Official Key

Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India : 1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory. 2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. 3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is option C because statements 1, 2, and 4 are accurate.

Statement 1 is correct as PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)[2]. Statement 2 is also correct since a stagnant[5] or declining population is indeed one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. Statement 4 is correct as Konda Reddi (Kondareddis) [7]tribe is included in the list of PVTGs[6], and while Irular is also a recognized PVTG, the documents confirm at least one of these tribes mentioned in the statement.

However, statement 3 is incorrect. There are 75 PVTGs officially notified in India, not 95[8]. This makes option C (statements 1, 2, and 4) the correct combination, eliminating options A, B, and D which incorrectly include statement 3.

Sources
  1. [1] https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/Statistics/AnnualReport/AREnglish2324.pdf
  2. [2] https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/Statistics/AnnualReport/AREnglish2324.pdf
  3. [3] https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/Statistics/AnnualReport/AREnglish2324.pdf
  4. [4] https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Accelerated%20Development%20of%20Particularly%20Vulnerable%20Tribal%20Groups%20%28PVTGs%29_0.pdf
  5. [5] https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-08/pvtg_d3_english_web.pdf
  6. [6] https://tribal.nic.in/DivisionsFiles/SwLPVTGs.pdf
  7. [7] https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Accelerated%20Development%20of%20Particularly%20Vulnerable%20Tribal%20Groups%20%28PVTGs%29_0.pdf
  8. [8] https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-08/pvtg_d3_english_web.pdf
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India : 1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Un…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 8/10
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This is a classic 'Official Classification' question. Standard geography books discuss tribes generally, but this question demands the specific administrative data found on the Ministry of Tribal Affairs website. The key to cracking this wasn't memorizing 75 tribe names, but catching the wrong number in Statement 3.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
How many States and Union Territories in India have Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"covers 75 identified PVTGs amongst most vulnerable tribal communities spread across 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands"
Why this source?
  • Official Ministry of Tribal Affairs annual report language naming the geographic spread.
  • Explicitly states the 75 identified PVTGs are spread across 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"75 such groups in 18 States and one UT have been identified and categorized as Particu-larly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)."
Why this source?
  • Chapter explicitly enumerates the territorial distribution of PVTGs.
  • Clearly states '75 such groups in 18 States and one UT have been identified and categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).'

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 41: Union Territories > Union Territories > p. 409
Strength: 5/5
“Union Article 1 of the Constitution, the territory of India comprises three categories of territories: (a) states; (b) union territories; and (c) territories that may be acquired by the Government of India at any time. At present, there are twenty-eight states, eight union territories and no acquired territories. The states are the members of the federal system in India and share a distribution of power with the Centre. The union territories, on the other hand, are those areas which are under the direct control and administration of the Central government. Hence, they are also known as 'centrally administered territories'.”
Why relevant

Gives the current constitutional counts (28 states, 8 union territories), a needed baseline for counting which of these could have PVTGs.

How to extend

A student can start from this full list (28+8) and eliminate states/UTs known to lack tribal populations to bound the possible number with PVTGs.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Source: Census of India, 2001. > p. 22
Strength: 5/5
“The tribal communities live in about 15% of the country's area in varying ecological and geo-climatic conditions; mountains, hills, forests, plains and inaccessible areas. They have their presence in almost all the states and union territories of the country except Chandigarh, Goa, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab (Fig. 13.6).”
Why relevant

States that have no tribal communities (Chandigarh, Goa, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab) are explicitly listed, so they can likely be excluded when searching for PVTG presence.

How to extend

Using this elimination, a student can subtract these five from the 36 total territories to narrow candidates for having PVTGs.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Spatial Distribution of Scheduled Tribes > p. 16
Strength: 4/5
“The spatial distribution of the scheduled tribes population at the district level also indicates the tendency of clustering and concentration. The geographical distribution of tribal population is highly uneven. They are distributed in 548 districts of the country in varying proportions. About 68% of the total tribal population is confined in 105 districts. There are 16 districts (12 districts in north eastern states of India), Dangs in Gujarat, Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in which the proportion of tribal population is more than 80%. In the districts of Goa, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, tribal population is almost absent (Fig.”
Why relevant

Shows tribal population is highly clustered (about 68% in 105 districts) and notes specific high-tribal districts and that Lakshadweep is effectively entirely tribal — indicating where PVTGs are more likely to be found.

How to extend

A student could map the 105 high-tribe districts and high-tribe UTs like Lakshadweep to identify which states/UTs contain concentrated tribal populations likely to include PVTGs.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) > p. 27
Strength: 3/5
“The innovative strategy of the 'Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)' for scheduled tribes was launched during 1974. This special strategy was expected to ensure that all the general development sectors earmark funds for scheduled tribes in proportion to their population so that adequate benefits from all the concerned sectors flow to this disadvantaged group. The Tribal Sub-Plan strategy has been extended to the following states and Union Territories: 1. Andhra Pradesh, 2. Assam, 3. Bihar, 4. Chhattisgarh, 5. Gujarat. 6. Himachal Pradesh, 7. Jammu and Kashmir, 8. Jharkhand, 9. Karnataka, 10. Kerala, 11. Madhya Pradesh, 12. Maharashtra, 13. Manipur, 14. Odisha, 15.”
Why relevant

Lists states/UTs to which the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) strategy was extended (a set of states targeted for tribal development), indicating a non-random set of territories with notable tribal populations.

How to extend

A student might treat the TSP list as candidate territories more likely to include PVTGs and cross-check these against a map or additional sources to refine the count.

Statement 2
Is a stagnant or declining population listed as one of the criteria for designating Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"• A stagnant or declining population;"
Why this source?
  • Official Ministry of Tribal Affairs document listing criteria for PVTG determination.
  • Explicitly includes 'A stagnant or declining population' as one of the criteria.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"(c) a stagnant and declining population"
Why this source?
  • DST/official technical document describing characteristics of PVTGs.
  • Specifically enumerates 'a stagnant and declining population' among defining features.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"3. Decreasing or stagnant population growth,"
Why this source?
  • UNDP briefing on PVTGs summarizing characteristic criteria.
  • Lists 'Decreasing or stagnant population growth' as one of the key characteristics used for identification.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The National Tribal Policy > p. 29
Strength: 5/5
“The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has formulated the draft of a National Tribal Policy covering various issues such as alienation of tribal land, tribal forest interface; displacement; rehabilitation and resettlement; enhancement of human development index; creating critical infrastructure; violent manifestations; conservation and development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups; adoption of Tribal Sub-Plan strategy; empowerment; gender equality; enlisting support of non-government organisations, tribal culture and traditional knowledge; administration of tribal areas; the Regularity and Protective Regime; scheduling and descheduling of tribes, etc.”
Why relevant

Mentions a National Tribal Policy item explicitly covering 'conservation and development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups', implying PVTG designation is connected to development/conservation concerns and likely uses specific vulnerability-related criteria.

How to extend

A student could look up the National Tribal Policy or Ministry of Tribal Affairs documents to see the listed criteria (e.g., demographic trends vs. socio-economic indicators).

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Source: Census of India, 2001. > p. 23
Strength: 4/5
“An interesting feature of the tribal population is that it is growing at a faster pace. The temporal change in the growth of population has been shown in (Table 13.3). It may be observed from (Table 13.3) that the total population of the scheduled tribes in 1951 was only 225 lakhs accounting for 6.23% of the total population of India. Their growth rate is, however, higher than the national average. Consequently, in 2011 the tribal population became 1014 lakhs or 8.6% of the total population of the country. The lower standard of living of over 95% of the tribal population may be the main cause of their high birth and high growth rates.”
Why relevant

Notes that the tribal population overall has been growing faster than the national average, providing a baseline demographic pattern for tribes.

How to extend

Compare this general growth trend with any PVTG list to see if stagnant/declining population is singled out as an exception/criterion.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > SCHEDULED TRIBES > p. 15
Strength: 3/5
“The tribal people of India, who come under the category of scheduled tribes in term of the provisions of the Constitution of India, number 10.41 million, constituting about 8.6% of the population of the country (Census 2011). According to the Census 1961, there were 365 scheduled tribes. Their number has however, gone up as some new ethnic groups have also been included in the category of scheduled tribes. At present, there are more than 425 scheduled tribes in the country. Many more ethnic groups and communities have applied to the government for being included into the list of scheduled tribes.”
Why relevant

Gives counts and shows that the number of recognised scheduled tribes has increased over time, indicating administrative listing is responsive to ethnic identification and additions.

How to extend

Use this to infer that formal lists (like PVTGs) are created by specific criteria — check official lists/gazette notifications for the exact criteria such as demographic decline.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Spatial Distribution of Scheduled Tribes > p. 16
Strength: 4/5
“The spatial distribution of the scheduled tribes population at the district level also indicates the tendency of clustering and concentration. The geographical distribution of tribal population is highly uneven. They are distributed in 548 districts of the country in varying proportions. About 68% of the total tribal population is confined in 105 districts. There are 16 districts (12 districts in north eastern states of India), Dangs in Gujarat, Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in which the proportion of tribal population is more than 80%. In the districts of Goa, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, tribal population is almost absent (Fig.”
Why relevant

Describes highly uneven spatial distribution and clustering of tribes, highlighting small/isolated district-level concentrations that could relate to vulnerability criteria (e.g., small population size, isolation).

How to extend

A student could map PVTG locations against districts with small/clustered populations to see whether small/stagnant populations correlate with PVTG designation.

Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge > Vulnerable Groups > p. 34
Strength: 4/5
“The proportion of people below poverty line is also not same for all social groups and economic categories in India. Social groups, which are most vulnerable to poverty are Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households. Similarly, among the economic groups, the most vulnerable groups are the rural agricultural-labour households and the urban casual-labour households. Graph 3.2 shows the percentage of poor people”
Why relevant

Identifies Scheduled Tribes as a socio-economically vulnerable group (high poverty rates), suggesting PVTG criteria may emphasise socio-economic vulnerability rather than solely demographic trends.

How to extend

Check whether official PVTG criteria emphasise economic/health/education indicators over population growth metrics by consulting policy sources.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

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Statement 3
How many Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are officially notified in India?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The central government has recognized 75 tribal communities as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)"
Why this source?
  • Authoritative UNDP summary explicitly states the central government recognition count.
  • Directly names the number of tribal communities recognized as PVTGs.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"covers 75 identified PVTGs amongst most vulnerable tribal communities spread across 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands"
Why this source?
  • Official Ministry of Tribal Affairs annual report language confirming the count.
  • Specifies 75 identified PVTGs and their geographic spread, reinforcing the official tally.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"75 such groups in 17 States and 1 Union Territory have been identified and categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)."
Why this source?
  • Parliamentary (Rajya Sabha) document states the count in a written answer, an official source.
  • Gives the same number (75) and notes the states/UTs where they are identified.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The National Tribal Policy > p. 29
Strength: 5/5
“The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has formulated the draft of a National Tribal Policy covering various issues such as alienation of tribal land, tribal forest interface; displacement; rehabilitation and resettlement; enhancement of human development index; creating critical infrastructure; violent manifestations; conservation and development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups; adoption of Tribal Sub-Plan strategy; empowerment; gender equality; enlisting support of non-government organisations, tribal culture and traditional knowledge; administration of tribal areas; the Regularity and Protective Regime; scheduling and descheduling of tribes, etc.”
Why relevant

The National Tribal Policy snippet explicitly lists 'conservation and development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups' as a policy area, confirming PVTGs are a recognised sub‑category within tribal policy.

How to extend

A student could use this to justify searching official Ministry of Tribal Affairs sources or policy documents (which the policy points to) for the official notified count of PVTGs.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > SCHEDULED TRIBES > p. 15
Strength: 4/5
“The tribal people of India, who come under the category of scheduled tribes in term of the provisions of the Constitution of India, number 10.41 million, constituting about 8.6% of the population of the country (Census 2011). According to the Census 1961, there were 365 scheduled tribes. Their number has however, gone up as some new ethnic groups have also been included in the category of scheduled tribes. At present, there are more than 425 scheduled tribes in the country. Many more ethnic groups and communities have applied to the government for being included into the list of scheduled tribes.”
Why relevant

This source gives the overall scale of Scheduled Tribes (saying 'more than 425 scheduled tribes'), implying PVTGs would be a smaller, defined subset within a larger set of STs.

How to extend

A student could use the known large number of STs to reason that PVTGs are a distinct, enumerated subgroup and thus likely to have an official, finite notified count to look up.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Tribal Area Development > p. 32
Strength: 4/5
“According to the Census of India 2011, the total population of the Scheduled Tribes was 84.3 million or 8.6% of the total population of India. The Government of India has included 427 communities in the Scheduled Tribes, given in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. These are the first people who are living in areas of isolation”
Why relevant

Gives a precise figure '427 communities in the Scheduled Tribes' (Census 2011 reference), supporting the idea that official lists/counts for tribal categories are maintained and enumerated.

How to extend

A student could infer that similarly enumerated lists exist for PVTGs and therefore seek the formal notified number in government lists or notifications.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) > p. 27
Strength: 3/5
“The innovative strategy of the 'Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)' for scheduled tribes was launched during 1974. This special strategy was expected to ensure that all the general development sectors earmark funds for scheduled tribes in proportion to their population so that adequate benefits from all the concerned sectors flow to this disadvantaged group. The Tribal Sub-Plan strategy has been extended to the following states and Union Territories: 1. Andhra Pradesh, 2. Assam, 3. Bihar, 4. Chhattisgarh, 5. Gujarat. 6. Himachal Pradesh, 7. Jammu and Kashmir, 8. Jharkhand, 9. Karnataka, 10. Kerala, 11. Madhya Pradesh, 12. Maharashtra, 13. Manipur, 14. Odisha, 15.”
Why relevant

Describes the Tribal Sub‑Plan (TSP) as an institutional strategy adopted across many states and UTs, indicating structured state/central programmes that likely rely on formal classifications (like PVTGs) for targeting.

How to extend

Knowing TSP requires targeted groups to be identified, a student could check state/central TSP documents or implementation lists to find the officially notified PVTG count.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 86: Pressure Groups > El l Tribal Organisations > p. 603
Strength: 2/5
“.- El l Tribal Organisations The tribal organizations are active in MP, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the North Eastern States of Assam, Mysore, Nagaland and so on. Their demands range from reforms to that of secession from India, and some of them are involved in insurgency activities. The tribal organizations include: • (i) National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) • (ii) Tribal National Volunteers (TNV) in Tripura • (iii) People's Liberation Army in Manipur • (iv) Tribal Sangh of Assam • (v) United Mizo Freedom Organisation”
Why relevant

Lists states and active tribal organizations, showing that tribal issues are regionally diverse and administratively important — implying government uses formal classifications for policy/intervention.

How to extend

A student could combine this regional focus with central policy (snippet 9) to examine state/central gazette notifications or ministry releases that enumerate PVTGs.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

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Statement 4
Is the Irular tribe listed as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in India?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > SCHEDULED TRIBES > p. 15
Strength: 5/5
“The tribal people of India, who come under the category of scheduled tribes in term of the provisions of the Constitution of India, number 10.41 million, constituting about 8.6% of the population of the country (Census 2011). According to the Census 1961, there were 365 scheduled tribes. Their number has however, gone up as some new ethnic groups have also been included in the category of scheduled tribes. At present, there are more than 425 scheduled tribes in the country. Many more ethnic groups and communities have applied to the government for being included into the list of scheduled tribes.”
Why relevant

Shows that India officially recognises hundreds of distinct Scheduled Tribe communities (now more than 425).

How to extend

A student could use this to infer that checking an official consolidated list of STs/PVTGs (central or state) is necessary to see if 'Irular' appears among recognised communities.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Tribal Area Development > p. 32
Strength: 4/5
“According to the Census of India 2011, the total population of the Scheduled Tribes was 84.3 million or 8.6% of the total population of India. The Government of India has included 427 communities in the Scheduled Tribes, given in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. These are the first people who are living in areas of isolation”
Why relevant

Gives a specific headline figure (427 communities included as Scheduled Tribes) implying official catalogues exist and are finite.

How to extend

One can extend this by looking up the official listing (by number/name) used by government agencies that also maintain the separate PVTG subset.

Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste > Social and Religious Diversity of India > p. 39
Strength: 4/5
“It proves that in overall terms, the population balance of different religious communities is not likely to change in a big way. The same is true of the major caste groups. The Census of India counts two social groups: the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Both these broad groups include hundreds of castes or tribes whose names are listed in an official Schedule. Hence the prefix 'Scheduled' in their name. The Scheduled Castes, commonly known as Dalits, include those that were previously regarded as 'outcaste' in the Hindu social order and were subjected to exclusion and untouchability. The Scheduled Tribes, often referred to as Adivasis, include those communities that led a secluded life usually in hills and forests and did not interact much with the rest of society.”
Why relevant

Defines Scheduled Tribes as communities whose names are listed in an official Schedule — indicating formal lists determine recognition.

How to extend

A student could use this rule to distinguish between being a Scheduled Tribe and being a PVTG, and therefore seek the specific PVTG list to test whether Irular is included.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > Geographical Bases of India Federalism > p. 9
Strength: 3/5
“• 9. Scheduled Tribes: The Scheduled Tribes of India are living in the areas of isolation and relative isolation. They belong to different ethnic, linguistic and religious groups and have some special social, cultural, and economic characteristics. Their mode of life is very much linked with the environmental conditions of their locales. Most of the tribes have their distinct socio-economic norms. The philosophy of their life is 'from everybody according to his capacity and to every one according to his needs'. The institution of village headman is very important in their society. Any person who violates the social norms is penalised by the village council, headed by the village headman.”
Why relevant

Describes typical characteristics of Scheduled Tribes (living in isolation, distinct socio-cultural traits) — traits often used to identify more vulnerable subgroups.

How to extend

Knowing these traits, a student might compare the socio-economic/geographic profile of the Irular (from external sources) to criteria used to designate PVTGs and so judge the plausibility before checking official lists.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Spatial Distribution of Scheduled Tribes > p. 16
Strength: 3/5
“The spatial distribution of the scheduled tribes population at the district level also indicates the tendency of clustering and concentration. The geographical distribution of tribal population is highly uneven. They are distributed in 548 districts of the country in varying proportions. About 68% of the total tribal population is confined in 105 districts. There are 16 districts (12 districts in north eastern states of India), Dangs in Gujarat, Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in which the proportion of tribal population is more than 80%. In the districts of Goa, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, tribal population is almost absent (Fig.”
Why relevant

Notes the uneven, district-level clustering of tribal populations, and the existence of districts/UTs with very high tribal shares.

How to extend

A student could use basic geography (states/districts where Irular are known to live) to narrow which state-level PVTG or ST lists to consult when verifying whether Irular are designated PVTG.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

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Statement 5
Is the Konda Reddi tribe listed as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in India?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Name of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group ... 6 Kolam 7 Konda Reddi 8 Kondasavara"
Why this source?
  • The passage is a state/UT-wise official list titled 'Name of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group'.
  • Entry number 7 in the list explicitly names 'Konda Reddi' as a PVTG.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Kondhs 5. Kuttiya Kondhs 6. Kolam 7. Kondareddis 8. Savaras"
Why this source?
  • This document lists PVTGs by State (Andhra Pradesh including Telangana).
  • It includes '7. Kondareddis' among the named PVTGs, matching the Konda Reddi entry.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The National Tribal Policy > p. 29
Strength: 5/5
“The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has formulated the draft of a National Tribal Policy covering various issues such as alienation of tribal land, tribal forest interface; displacement; rehabilitation and resettlement; enhancement of human development index; creating critical infrastructure; violent manifestations; conservation and development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups; adoption of Tribal Sub-Plan strategy; empowerment; gender equality; enlisting support of non-government organisations, tribal culture and traditional knowledge; administration of tribal areas; the Regularity and Protective Regime; scheduling and descheduling of tribes, etc.”
Why relevant

Mentions the Ministry of Tribal Affairs policy explicitly refers to 'particularly vulnerable tribal groups' and 'scheduling and descheduling of tribes', implying an official category and lists exist.

How to extend

A student could use this to know to consult the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' official PVTG list to check if Konda Reddi appears.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > SCHEDULED TRIBES > p. 15
Strength: 4/5
“The tribal people of India, who come under the category of scheduled tribes in term of the provisions of the Constitution of India, number 10.41 million, constituting about 8.6% of the population of the country (Census 2011). According to the Census 1961, there were 365 scheduled tribes. Their number has however, gone up as some new ethnic groups have also been included in the category of scheduled tribes. At present, there are more than 425 scheduled tribes in the country. Many more ethnic groups and communities have applied to the government for being included into the list of scheduled tribes.”
Why relevant

States there are over 425 Scheduled Tribes recognised by the government, showing the tribal landscape is large and subject to additions.

How to extend

This suggests checking a focused PVTG subset of the larger Scheduled Tribes list to determine whether Konda Reddi is included.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > 1. Hunting, Fishing, and Food Gathering > p. 26
Strength: 3/5
“The main tribes which are dependent on these economic activities are Chenchu and Yanadi in Andhra Pradesh; Hill-Maria in Chhattisgarh; Bhil, Garasia in Gujarat and Maharashtra; Bhil, Garasia, and Sahariya in Rajasthan; Birgias, Birhor, Kharia, Korwa, Pariha in Jharkhand; Ao, Angami, Changs, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Mikir, Sema in Nagaland; Juang in Odisha; Kadar, Koya, Paliyan, Reddi in Tamil Nadu and Raji in Uttar Pradesh.”
Why relevant

Gives examples of tribe names including 'Reddi' (in Tamil Nadu), showing 'Reddi' occurs as a tribal name in these sources but does not mention 'Konda Reddi'.

How to extend

A student could treat the presence of 'Reddi' as a cue to search specifically for variants like 'Konda Reddi' in regional/official lists to confirm PVTG status.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) > p. 27
Strength: 3/5
“The innovative strategy of the 'Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)' for scheduled tribes was launched during 1974. This special strategy was expected to ensure that all the general development sectors earmark funds for scheduled tribes in proportion to their population so that adequate benefits from all the concerned sectors flow to this disadvantaged group. The Tribal Sub-Plan strategy has been extended to the following states and Union Territories: 1. Andhra Pradesh, 2. Assam, 3. Bihar, 4. Chhattisgarh, 5. Gujarat. 6. Himachal Pradesh, 7. Jammu and Kashmir, 8. Jharkhand, 9. Karnataka, 10. Kerala, 11. Madhya Pradesh, 12. Maharashtra, 13. Manipur, 14. Odisha, 15.”
Why relevant

Lists states covered by the Tribal Sub-Plan (including Andhra Pradesh), indicating administrative frameworks exist at state level for tribal welfare where Konda Reddi might be located.

How to extend

A student could look up Andhra Pradesh/related state PVTG lists or district-level records to see if Konda Reddi are designated as a PVTG locally or nationally.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Spatial Distribution of Scheduled Tribes > p. 16
Strength: 3/5
“The spatial distribution of the scheduled tribes population at the district level also indicates the tendency of clustering and concentration. The geographical distribution of tribal population is highly uneven. They are distributed in 548 districts of the country in varying proportions. About 68% of the total tribal population is confined in 105 districts. There are 16 districts (12 districts in north eastern states of India), Dangs in Gujarat, Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in which the proportion of tribal population is more than 80%. In the districts of Goa, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, tribal population is almost absent (Fig.”
Why relevant

Explains that tribal populations cluster geographically in specific districts, implying that identifying the district/region of a tribe helps locate relevant official listings.

How to extend

A student could identify where Konda Reddi live geographically and then consult PVTG lists or district/state tribal welfare documents for that area.

Statement analysis

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Pattern takeaway: UPSC creates difficulty by mixing 'Administrative Facts' (Counts/States) with 'Anthropological Facts' (Tribe names). However, they often leave a 'Number Trap' (like 95 instead of 75) as an escape route for the smart aspirant. If a statement contains a specific, non-round number, it is the highest probability candidate for being incorrect.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Doable via Elimination. Statement 3 is the weak link. Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs 'About Us' page.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Social Justice & Tribal Welfare (GS2). Whenever a sub-group (like PVTG) is mentioned in the news (e.g., PM-JANMAN scheme), you must check its official definition and count.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 4 Criteria (Pre-agricultural tech, Low literacy, Stagnant/declining population, Subsistence economy). Know the Origin (Dhebar Commission, 1973). Know the Leader (Odisha has the highest number: 13). Know the Rights (Habitat Rights under FRA 2006).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: UPSC loves 'Golden Numbers'. The count of PVTGs is 75. Statement 3 says 95. If you knew this one static fact, you could eliminate all other options. Always verify 'Counts' and 'Criteria' for any special government category.
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Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Spatial distribution and clustering of Scheduled Tribes
💡 The insight

Explains clustering and concentration of tribal populations across districts and highlights a few UTs and districts with very high tribal proportions.

High-yield for questions on tribal demography and region-specific tribal policies; connects to topics on regional development, resource allocation and targeted welfare schemes. Mastery helps answer questions that ask which areas are tribal-majority or have concentrated tribal districts.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Spatial Distribution of Scheduled Tribes > p. 16
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Table 13.1). According to Niti Ayog, SC and ST account for more than 25 % of India's population. > p. 15
🔗 Anchor: "How many States and Union Territories in India have Particularly Vulnerable Trib..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Tribal Sub‑Plan (TSP) coverage
💡 The insight

Describes the specific states and union territories designated for the Tribal Sub‑Plan mechanism for scheduled tribes.

Important for policy and governance questions about tribal welfare frameworks and targeted budgeting; useful for comparisons between scheme coverage and actual demographic needs, and for answering scheme‑based mains and prelims questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) > p. 27
🔗 Anchor: "How many States and Union Territories in India have Particularly Vulnerable Trib..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Territorial categories and counts: States versus Union Territories
💡 The insight

Provides the current counts and names used to frame any question that compares or counts States and Union Territories.

Core constitutional knowledge often used in prelims and mains to situate demographic or policy facts; useful for elimination in multiple‑choice questions and for framing answers that require exact administrative counts or lists.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 41: Union Territories > Union Territories > p. 409
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 6: TERRITORY OF THE UNION > TERRITORY OF THE UNION > p. 73
🔗 Anchor: "How many States and Union Territories in India have Particularly Vulnerable Trib..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Scheduled Tribes population growth trends
💡 The insight

Understanding whether tribal populations are growing, stagnant or declining is central to debates about identifying vulnerable groups.

High-yield for UPSC because demographic trends determine policy prioritisation and eligibility for targeted interventions; connects demography to social policy and development planning; useful for questions on population policy, minority welfare and scheme targeting.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Source: Census of India, 2001. > p. 23
🔗 Anchor: "Is a stagnant or declining population listed as one of the criteria for designat..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Geographical concentration of tribal populations
💡 The insight

Spatial clustering of tribal groups influences vulnerability assessments and the delivery of targeted programmes.

Important for tackling region-specific policy questions and mapping developmental needs; links geography, electoral politics and resource allocation; enables answering questions on regional disparities and focused welfare measures.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Spatial Distribution of Scheduled Tribes > p. 16
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Table 13.1). provide an insight to the SC and ST population in the country. > p. 22
🔗 Anchor: "Is a stagnant or declining population listed as one of the criteria for designat..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and national tribal policy frameworks
💡 The insight

Knowledge of TSP and the National Tribal Policy is essential for understanding institutional mechanisms for tribal welfare and special-category designations.

Crucial for answering polity and governance questions on scheme design and implementation; connects constitutional provisions, welfare schemes and administrative responses to deprivation; helps analyze policy intent and effectiveness for vulnerable communities.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) > p. 27
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The National Tribal Policy > p. 29
🔗 Anchor: "Is a stagnant or declining population listed as one of the criteria for designat..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) — policy category
💡 The insight

PVTGs are a recognised sub-category of tribal populations targeted for conservation and development measures.

High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about special tribal categories and targeted interventions; mastering this helps answer questions on welfare policy, reservation/targeting, and tribal development schemes. It links to governance, social justice, and scheme evaluation questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > The National Tribal Policy > p. 29
🔗 Anchor: "How many Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are officially notified i..."
Micro-concepts

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🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Habitat Rights' angle. PVTGs are the only group eligible for 'Habitat Rights' under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The Baiga community (MP) was the first to get these rights. Expect a question linking PVTGs to FRA provisions.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Famous Number' Rule. The number of PVTGs (75) is a static, well-known administrative fact, much like '28 States'. Statement 3 claims '95'. If you spot this error, you eliminate options A, B, and D instantly. The answer (C) emerges without needing to know if Irular or Konda Reddi are on the list.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link Geography to Environment & Law: PVTGs often reside in core areas of Tiger Reserves or National Parks. The conflict between 'Critical Wildlife Habitats' (WLPA 1972) and 'PVTG Habitat Rights' (FRA 2006) is a major Mains theme regarding conservation vs. rights.

The Vault

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2018 · Q98 Relevance score: 2.86

Consider the following statements : 1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006. 2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights. 3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CDS-II · 2012 · Q115 Relevance score: 1.81

Consider the following statements : 1. In India, only two Union Territories have Legislative Assemblies. 2. Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya, the three North- Eastern States of India, have only one seat each in the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2006 · Q45 Relevance score: 1.63

Consider the following statements: I. Sikkim has the minimum area among the 28 Indian States (Delhi and Pondicherry not included) II. Chandigarh had the highest literacy rate among Pondicherry, NCT of Delhi and other Union Territories. III. Maharashtra has the highest population after Uttar Pradesh among the 28 Indian States (Delhi and Pondicherry not included) Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2005 · Q118 Relevance score: 1.09

Consider the following statement: 1. There are 25 High Courts in India. 2. Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have a common High Court. 3. National Capital Territory of Delhi has a High Court of its own. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

IAS · 1999 · Q12 Relevance score: 0.99

Consider the following statements : Regional disparities in India are high and have been rising in recent years because I. there is persistent investment over time only in select locales. II. some areas are agro-climatically less conducive to development. III. some areas continue to face little or no agrarian transformation and the consequent lack of social and economic opportunities. IV. some areas have faced continuous political instability. Which of the above statements are correct ?