India’s Tribal Communities: Bridging Historical Injustice Through Policy and Budget

21 Jun India’s Tribal Communities: Bridging Historical Injustice Through Policy and Budget

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs”  and the Topic of  India’s Tribal Communities: Bridging Historical Injustice Through Policy and Budget

SYLLABUS MAPPING: 

GS-2- Social justice – India’s Tribal Communities: Bridging Historical Injustice Through Policy and Budget

FOR PRELIMS

What are the key features of the PM-JANMAN scheme for tribal welfare?

FOR MAINS

What are the main problems in implementing the Forest Rights Act, 2006?

Why in the News? 

India’s tribal communities are in focus due to renewed government efforts toward their holistic empowerment. The Union Budget 2025–26 significantly increased allocations for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, signaling a move from symbolic inclusion to substantive development. This marks a major policy shift under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. The approach now emphasises integration, dignity, and opportunity for over 10 crore Adivasis. Their cultural legacy and developmental needs are being addressed with greater urgency and commitment.

Developmental Exclusion: A Historical Overview

1. Colonial Neglect of Tribal Communities: During British rule, tribal areas were viewed primarily as resource zones, with little regard for tribal welfare. Forest laws restricted access to traditional lands, undermining tribal autonomy and subsistence.
2. Post-Colonial Marginalisation in Planning: Early Five-Year Plans largely treated tribals as subjects of welfare, not as participants in development. Policies lacked tribal consultation, leading to top-down interventions misaligned with local needs.
3. Land Alienation and Forced Displacement: Tribal communities lost ancestral lands to mining, industrial projects, and large dams (e.g., Sardar Sarovar), with inadequate compensation and rehabilitation, pushing them into cycles of poverty and migration.
4. Exclusion from Resource Rights: Denial of legal rights over forests and traditional territories created long-term livelihood insecurity. Even post-2006 FRA, effective implementation remained patchy and slow in many states.
5. Poverty and Socio-Economic Traps: A high proportion of tribal populations continue to live below the poverty line. Limited access to formal employment, markets, and productive assets perpetuates their economic vulnerability.
6. Poor Access to Education and Health Services: Geographical isolation, language barriers, and lack of culturally sensitive services have led to high dropout rates, poor learning outcomes, and inadequate healthcare access in tribal regions.
7. Infrastructure Deficits and Connectivity Gaps: Many tribal-dominated areas still lack basic infrastructure like all-weather roads, electricity, safe drinking water, telecom connectivity, and public transport, impeding human development.
8. Under-Representation and Political Marginalization: Despite constitutional safeguards (like ST reservations), tribals often remain under-represented in policymaking, with weak institutional mechanisms for grievance redressal and political voice.

Strengthening Budgetary Support for Tribal Welfare

1. Steady Rise in Tribal Affairs Budget: The budget allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs increased significantly from ₹4,295 crore in 2013–14 to ₹14,926 crore in 2025–26, indicating enhanced prioritization of tribal welfare.
2. Massive Growth in DAPST Outlay: The Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) saw an impressive rise from ₹24,598 crore in 2014–15 to over ₹1.23 lakh crore in 2024–25, boosting inclusive planning.
3. Greater Inter-Ministerial Convergence: A total of 42 ministries/departments now allocate a proportion of their budget under DAPST, ensuring that tribal concerns are mainstreamed across sectors like education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
4. Focused Fund Tagging and Monitoring: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has adopted robust fund-tagging and monitoring mechanisms under DAPST to track physical and financial progress and avoid fund diversion.
5. Outcome-Oriented Planning Framework: Emphasis has shifted towards outcome-based budgeting, aligning schemes and outlays with measurable development indicators for Scheduled Tribes.
6. Enhanced State-Level Participation: Central support under schemes like the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and DAPST has catalyzed parallel planning and co-funding by state governments for ST welfare.
7. Schemes Aligned with SDGs and ST Needs: DAPST funds are being channelled into schemes that promote livelihoods, skill development, health, housing, drinking water, and women-led tribal development.
8. Support for PM-JANMAN and Flagship Missions: Increased allocations support transformative initiatives like PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan), EMRS expansion, Tribal Health Mission, and Sickle Cell Elimination.

Government Initiatives for Tribal Empowerment

1. PM-JANMAN (2023–24): ₹24,104 crore allocated for 75 PVTGs in 18 States/UTs. Focus: housing, drinking water, sanitation, nutrition, healthcare, connectivity, education, and livelihoods.
2. Dharti Aaba Samriddhi Yojana (2024): ₹79,156 crore convergence plan for 25 tribal-focused interventions—land rights, irrigation, digital literacy, housing, and income generation.
3. Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST): Dedicated tribal budgeting across 42 ministries; outlay grew from ₹24,598 crore (2013–14) to ₹1.23 lakh crore (2024–25).
4. Forest Rights Act (FRA) Implementation: 23.88 lakh individual and 1.21 lakh community rights titles distributed. Linked to schemes like MGNREGA, PMKSY, and FRA Cells for support.
5. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Scaled from 90 (pre-2014) to 728 schools by 2025. Targets quality education for 3.5 lakh tribal children with enhanced infrastructure.
6. Tribal Scholarships & Higher Education: 30 lakh ST students benefit annually via Pre/Post-Matric Scholarships, Fellowships, Top Class and Overseas Scholarships; DBT ensures transparency.
7. Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (2023): Universal screening and treatment in tribal areas. Establishment of Centres of Competence and tribal health infrastructure.
8. Mobile Medical Units (MMUs): 910 MMUs under PM-JANMAN deliver primary healthcare to remote tribal populations.
9. Digital & Infrastructure Inclusion: 4G towers in 22,000+ tribal habitations. Improved road connectivity, solar lighting, and electrification through convergent schemes.
10 .Preservation of Tribal Culture: Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Nov 15), 10 Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums, Aadi Mahotsav, and Tribal Research Institutes promote cultural pride.

Way Forward: Toward an Inclusive Tribal-Centric Development Model

1. Strengthen Inter-Ministerial Convergence: Ensure coordinated implementation of tribal welfare schemes across central and state ministries for maximum impact.
2. Decentralized Planning with Tribal Participation: Empower Gram Sabhas and tribal councils in decision-making to align policies with local needs and aspirations.
3. Promote Tribal Representation: Increase tribal participation in legislatures, civil services, and local governance bodies to amplify their voices.
4. Respect Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Integrate traditional ecological wisdom and sustainable practices into development and conservation strategies.
5. Secure Land and Forest Rights: Fast-track recognition and post-claim support under the Forest Rights Act to ensure tenure security and livelihoods.
6. Invest in Tribal Human Capital: Enhance access to quality education, healthcare, and skill development tailored to tribal contexts.
7. Foster Livelihood Diversification: Promote forest-based enterprises, ecotourism, agroforestry, and digital inclusion to improve incomes sustainably.
8. Cultural Preservation and Identity Assertion: Support tribal languages, traditions, and institutions to strengthen cultural pride and social cohesion.

Conclusion

The renewed tribal development strategy reflects a paradigm shift—from welfare to empowerment. With robust financial outlays, targeted interventions, and cultural sensitivity, India is moving towards inclusive growth for its 10 crore Adivasis. However, lasting change demands grassroots participation, rights-based development, and a sustainable, dignified approach that respects tribal identity while ensuring access to modern opportunities.

Prelims Questions

Q. With reference to the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST), consider the following statements:
1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs only.
2. It mandates all Central Ministries to allocate a fixed percentage of their annual budget for tribal welfare.
3. DAPST focuses solely on educational and health interventions.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: B

Mains Questions

Q.  Discuss the key challenges faced by tribal communities in India and evaluate the recent government initiatives aimed at their empowerment. Suggest a way forward for inclusive and participatory tribal development.

                                                                                                                                                         (250 words, 15 marks)