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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2014/Paper II/Tribal India
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper II 2014 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Social and Economic Marginalization of Tribal People — 2014 Paper II

Question · 2014 · Paper II · 10 Marks

Social and economic marginalization of tribal people

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question: Explain the major social and economic processes responsible for the marginal position of tribal communities in India.
  • Structuring the Response: Discuss alienation from resources, livelihood insecurity, exploitation and social exclusion, followed by their consequences.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover: Land alienation, forest restrictions, displacement, indebtedness, poverty, education, health and cultural marginalization.

Model Answer

Introduction: Tribal marginalization refers to the process through which tribal communities are pushed to the social, economic and political periphery, despite their close dependence on land, forests and community resources.

Economic dimensions

Major causes include:

  • land alienation to non-tribals;
  • indebtedness and exploitation by moneylenders;
  • restrictions on customary forest use;
  • displacement by dams, mines and industries;
  • low access to productive assets and formal employment.

Thus:

Loss of land/forest → Livelihood insecurity → Poverty and migration

Social dimensions

Marginalization is reinforced by:

  • geographical isolation;
  • low literacy;
  • poor health facilities;
  • language barriers;
  • weak political representation;
  • discrimination and cultural stereotyping.

Development projects may also disrupt:

  • kinship networks;
  • sacred landscapes;
  • traditional political institutions.

Women are often disproportionately affected because displacement may reduce their access to forest produce and common property resources.

The problem is therefore not merely poverty but structural exclusion from resources and decision-making.

Conclusion: Tribal marginalization results from the combined effects of resource alienation, unequal development and cultural exclusion. Effective tribal development must therefore secure land and forest rights while strengthening education, health and participatory self-governance.

2026 Dravidian language family and its tribal speakers. 2026 Buddhist tribes of India. 2026 Nature-Man-Spirit-Complex. 2026 Make a critical appraisal of Surajit Sinha's line of argument that tribes and castes may not be isolated social categories, but are a part of the great Indian civilization.

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2014 — Paper II

28 questions

5(c) Forest policy and tribes

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Development of forest policy and tribals
2014Paper IITribal Problems & DisplacementModel answer available

1(c) Great tradition and Little tradition

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Interplay of little and great traditions
2014Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

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10 Marks150 words
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2014Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(d) Major linguistic divisions of India

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements and their distribution
2014Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

1(a) Neolithic cultures of N-E India

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Neolithic > North-East India
2014Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

5(d) The concept of PTG

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal Groups) > Distribution and special programmes
2014Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

1(b) Tribe-Caste continuum

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Tribe-caste continuum
2014Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available