Why are the tribals in India referred to as 'the Scheduled Tribes'? Indicate the major provisions…

Question

Why are the tribals in India referred to as 'the Scheduled Tribes'? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Tribals are called Scheduled Tribes because Article 366(25) treats as STs only those communities listed by Presidential order under Article 342, State by State. The Constitution uplifts them through reservation, Article 46, the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, Article 275(1) grants and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

**Introduction**

Scheduled Tribes form 8.6% of India's population (Census 2011), and Article 46 binds the State to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

**Why Tribals Are Called Scheduled Tribes**

SKETCH: flow | How a Tribe Is Scheduled
- State recommends
- Registrar General vets
- NCST concurs
- Union Cabinet approves
- Parliament amends order (Art 342)

1. **Listed, not defined**: Article 366(25) calls Scheduled Tribes those communities deemed so under Article 342, so "Scheduled" means listed in a Presidential order, first issued in 1950.
2. **State-specific lists**: The President notifies each State's list after consulting its Governor, and only Parliament can amend it, so the Lambadas are STs in Telangana but Scheduled Castes in Karnataka.
3. **Lokur criteria**: The Lokur Committee (1965) tests primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact and backwardness.

**Constitutional Provisions for Tribal Upliftment**

1. **Educational and economic safeguards**: Articles 15(4), 16(4) and 46, with the Article 335 proviso (82nd Amendment, 2000), secure reservation and relaxed promotion standards.
2. **Political representation**: Articles 330 and 332 reserve 47 Lok Sabha seats and assembly seats until 2030 (104th Amendment), and Article 243D reserves panchayat seats.
3. **Self-rule in tribal areas**: Article 244 brings the Fifth Schedule to ten states and the Sixth Schedule's Autonomous District Councils to Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
4. **Funds and oversight**: Article 275(1) grants, Union directions under Article 339 and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A (2003) complete the design.

**Conclusion**

The label "Scheduled" is a charter of protection, representation and self-rule. It is fully realised when PESA and the Forest Rights Act let tribals develop along the lines of their own genius.

Why are the tribals in India referred to as 'the Scheduled Tribes'? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India for their upliftment.

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