5(c) Anthropological understanding of communalism.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism and ethnic and political movements
Special Programmes for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups — 2019 Paper II
Question · 2019 · Paper II · 15 Marks
Identify some special programmes for particularly vulnerable Tribal Groups (erstwhile PTGs).
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question: Identify the special developmental interventions meant specifically for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and explain their major components.
- Structuring the Response: Briefly introduce PVTGs, discuss the dedicated PVTG development scheme and contemporary PM-JANMAN initiative, followed by supportive rights-based measures.
- Key Dimensions to Cover: 75 PVTGs, Conservation-cum-Development Plans, housing, health, education, livelihood, PM-JANMAN, habitat rights and culturally sensitive development.
Model Answer
Introduction: Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), earlier called Primitive Tribal Groups, represent the most vulnerable sections among Scheduled Tribes. India recognizes 75 PVTG communities, traditionally identified through characteristics such as low literacy, subsistence-level economy, demographic vulnerability and relatively less-developed technology.
- Scheme for Development of PVTGs
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements a dedicated programme for PVTGs based largely on Conservation-cum-Development Plans (CCDPs) prepared according to the specific needs of individual communities.
Major interventions include:
- housing;
- education;
- healthcare;
- nutrition;
- drinking water;
- land and livelihood development;
- agriculture and animal husbandry;
- connectivity;
- social security.
Its principle is:
Community-specific problem → Micro-level planning → Conservation + Development
- Conservation-cum-Development Plans
CCDPs recognize that PVTGs differ considerably in:
- ecology;
- subsistence;
- demographic condition;
- social organization.
Therefore a uniform tribal development model is inappropriate.
They emphasize:
- habitat conservation;
- livelihood security;
- human development;
- protection of traditional knowledge.
- PM-JANMAN
The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), launched in 2023, is a major contemporary initiative specifically directed towards PVTG households and habitations.
It adopts inter-ministerial convergence to address critical gaps in:
- safe housing;
- drinking water and sanitation;
- education;
- health and nutrition;
- road connectivity;
- electricity;
- telecommunications;
- livelihood opportunities.
Thus:
Multiple deprivation → Convergent interventions → Saturation of essential services
- Educational interventions
Special attention is given to:
- residential educational facilities;
- hostels;
- scholarships;
- locally accessible schooling.
For PVTGs, education needs to incorporate mother-tongue and culturally appropriate teaching, especially during early schooling.
- Health and nutrition
Programmes focus on:
- maternal and child health;
- immunization;
- nutritional supplementation;
- control of endemic diseases;
- mobile and outreach healthcare.
Remote habitations make last-mile delivery particularly important.
- Livelihood support
Interventions promote:
- minor forest produce;
- agriculture;
- horticulture;
- animal husbandry;
- traditional crafts;
- skill development.
The objective should be livelihood improvement without destroying ecological knowledge and customary occupations.
- Habitat rights under FRA
The Forest Rights Act, 2006 makes special provision for recognition of habitat rights of PVTGs.
Habitat rights are broader than individual land titles and can protect:
- customary territory;
- resource-use areas;
- sacred landscapes;
- socio-cultural relationships with forests.
Critical concerns
Despite special programmes, major difficulties include:
- remoteness;
- inadequate baseline data;
- language barriers;
- malnutrition;
- weak community participation;
- displacement and habitat loss;
- culturally inappropriate interventions.
Hence:
Welfare delivery alone → Insufficient
Rights + Habitat + Participation + Services → Sustainable PVTG development
Conclusion
PVTG programmes have gradually moved from generalized welfare towards community-specific, habitat-based and convergent development, most visibly through CCDPs and PM-JANMAN. Their success depends upon culturally sensitive implementation, secure habitat rights and genuine participation of PVTG communities themselves.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2019 — Paper II
28 questions7(b) Write about the role of colonial administration in the development of Anthropology in India.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 4. Emergence, growth and development of anthropology in India > Scholar-administrators
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement
5(e) Distribution of Neolithic sites in India.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Neolithic
1(c) Distribution of Tibeto-Burman group of languages in India.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements > Tibeto-Burman family
5(a) Ethnicity and regionalism.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 The concept of ethnicity > Regionalism and demand for autonomy
1(b) Ethno-archaeological analysis of hunting activities of contemporary tribal communities.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India > Survivals among hunting and foraging communities
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 Tribal policies, plans and programmes of tribal development
Syllabus: Paper II > 8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies > Buddhism
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Media and social change
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Impact of industrialization and globalization
Syllabus: Paper II > 4. Emergence, growth and development of anthropology in India > Contributions of Indian anthropologists
5(d) Issues relating to tribal education.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.2 Problems of the tribal communities > Low literacy and poor educational facilities
1(e) The Jajmani system and contemporary market economy.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Jajmani system
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Karma, Rina and Rebirth
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Interplay of little and great traditions
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Palaeolithic > Soanian
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Panchayati Raj and social change
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Siwaliks > Ramapithecus
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Indus (Harappan) Civilization
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 Role of N.G.O.s in tribal development
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Socio-economic characteristics > Pastoral communities
4(c) Identify some special programmes for particularly vulnerable Tribal Groups (erstwhile PTGs).
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 The concept of PTGs / PVTGs > Special programmes for their development
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Significance of village study in India
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 Social change among the tribes during colonial and post-Independent India
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 Unrest among tribal communities > Tribe and nation state