Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda on October 7 inaugurated the 10-day-long tribal festival Aadi Mahotsav in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
The Aadi Mahotsav is an annual initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs that celebrates the spirit of tribal entrepreneurship, craft, culture, cuisine, commerce and age-old traditional art.
In 1973, the Dhebar Commission established Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a distinct category within the tribal groups. These PTGs were considered less developed than other tribal groups.
The Government of India later renamed PTGs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in 2006.
PVTGs share some basic characteristics, such as being mostly homogeneous with a small population. They are also often physically isolated, with social institutions cast in a simple mold, lack a written language, have relatively simple technology, and a slower rate of change.
The Indian government created a separate category called PVTGs in 1975 to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups.
Initially, 52 groups were declared, and in 1993 an additional 23 groups were added. This made a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes, spread over 17 states and one Union Territory, according to the 2011 census.
State /UT |
Name of PVTGs |
Andhra Pradesh |
Bodo Gadaba, Bondo Poroja, Chenchu, Dongria Khond, Gutob Gadaba, Khond Poroja, Kolam, Kondareddis, Konda Savaras, Kutia Khond, Parengi Poroja, Thoti |
Bihar (including Jharkhand) |
Asurs, Birhor, Birjia, Hill Kharia, Korwas, Mal Paharia, Parhaiyas, Sauria Paharia, Savar |
Gujarat |
Kathodi, Kotwalia, Padhar, Siddi, Kolgha |
Karnataka |
Jenu Kuruba, Koraga |
Kerala |
Cholanaikayan (a section of Kattunaickans), Kadar, Kattunayakan, Kurumbas, Koraga |
Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh) |
Abujh Marias, Baigas, Bharias, Hill Korbas, Kamars, Saharias, Birhor |
Maharashtra |
Katkaria (Kathodia), Kolam, Maria Gond |
Manipur |
Marram Nagas |
Odisha |
Birhor, Bondo, Didayi, Dongria-Khond, Juang, Kharias, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Sauras, Lodhas, Mankidias, Paudi Bhuyans, Soura, Chuktia Bhunjia |
Rajasthan |
Seharias |
Tamil Nadu |
Kattu Nayakans, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyans, Todas |
Tripura |
Reangs |
Uttar Pradesh (including Uttarakhand) |
Buxas, Rajis |
West Bengal |
Birhor, Lodhas, Totos |
Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, Shompens |