List of Major Tribes in India: State-Wise

Tribes: An Introduction

A tribe may be a social division in a conventional society consisting of families connected by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a typical culture and dialect. A tribe possesses specific qualities and characteristics that build it into a singular cultural, social, and political entity....

Tribes of India

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Ministry of Tribal Affairs

The fifth schedule of the Constitution of India has recognized tribal communities as  ‘ Scheduled Tribes’. The total population of scheduled  Tribes is around 100 million as per the Census 2011 that accounting for 8.6% of the whole population of the country. The share of the Scheduled  Tribe population in urban areas could be 2.8%. Madhya Pradesh has the largest number of scheduled Tribes, and Orissa is in the second position. There are no Scheduled Tribes in Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh, Pondicherry, and Haryana. For Scheduled Tribes, 47 seats are reserved in Lok Sabha. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is responsible for the development of the scheduled tribes in India....

List of Major Tribes in India: State-Wise

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Established in 1999, this Ministry was created through the division of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, focuses on the holistic development of Scheduled Tribes (STs), India’s most marginalized communities. It serves as the central authority for policy, planning, and coordination of ST development programs. Sector-specific initiatives are managed by respective Central Ministries/Departments. Before its formation, tribal affairs were handled by different Ministries: the ‘Tribal Division‘ under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Welfare, and later, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment....

Tribal Population of India

State                                                                 Tribe                                                                                  Jammu and Kashmir Gaddi, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Sippi, Bakarwal, Balti. Himachal Pradesh Gaddis, Gujjars, Khas, Lamba, Pangwala, Lahaulas, Swangla Uttarakhand Bhotias, Buksa, Khas, Jaunsari, Raji, Tharu Uttar Pradesh Jaunsari, Kol, Raji, Tharu, Bhotia Rajasthan Bhils, Damaria, Dhanka, Meenas, Sahariya, Pateliya. Gujarat Paradhi, Pateliya, Barda, Bamcha, Bhil, Charan, Dhodia, Gamta. Maharashtra Katkari, Khond, Rathawa, Warlis, Bhaina, Bhunjia, Dhodia Goa Siddi, Varli, Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda. Karnataka Adiyan, Barda, Gond, Bhil, Iruliga, Koraga, Yerava and Pateliya Kerala Adiyan, Arandan, Kurumbas, Malai arayan, Moplahs, Uralis Tamil Nadu Adiyan, Aranadan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Todas. Madhya Pradesh Baigas, Bhils, Bharia, Birhors, Gonds,Katkari, kharia, Khond, Kol, Murias. Chhattisgarh Agariya, Bhaina, Bhattra, Biar, Khond, Mawasi, Nagasia. Telangana Chenchus Odisha Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Matya, Oraons, Santhals, Rajuar Jharkhand Gonds, Kharia, Mundas, Santhals, Savar, Birhors, Bhumij Bihar Asur, Baiga, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Gond, Parhaiya, Santhals, Savar West Bengal Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Parhaiya, Rabha, Santhals, Savar Sikkim Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas, Limboo, Tamang Andhra Pradesh Andh, Sadhu Andh, Bhagata, Bhil, Chenchus, Gadabas, Gond, Goundu, Jatapus, Kammara, Kattunayakan, Kolawar, Kolam, Konda, Manna Dhora, Pardhan, Rona, Savaras, Nakkala, Dhulia, Thoti, Sugalis, Banjara, Kondareddis, Koya, Mukha Dhora, Valmiki , Yenadis, Sugalis, Lambadis. Arunachal Pradesh Sherdukpen, Singpho, Apatanis, Abor, Dafla, Galong, Momba. Assam Chakma, Chutiya, Dimasa, Hajong, Garos, Khasis, Gangte. Andaman and Nicobar Oraons, Onges, Shompens, Sentinelese. Manipur Aimol, Angami, Chiru, Kuki, Maram, Monsang, Paite, Purum, Thadou Meghalaya  Jaintias Khasis, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Chakma, Garos, Hajong Mizoram Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Synteng, Chakma, Dimasa. Nagaland Mikir, Nagas, Sema, Angami, Garo, Kachari, Kuki. Tripura Chakma, Halam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte, Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal....

The Gond Tribe

Tribal populations are dispersed throughout India, with significant concentrations in states and union territories like Mizoram (94.4%), Lakshadweep (94%), Meghalaya (86.1%), and Nagaland (86.5%). Other states, including Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and West Bengal, also have substantial tribal communities. Nationally, Scheduled Tribes make up 8.6% of India’s total population. This information is valuable for UPSC aspirants studying Indian tribes. India recognizes over 700 tribes under Article 342 of the Indian constitution, spread across various states and union territories....

Article 342 in The Constitution Of India 1949

The Gond tribe, ranking as the second-largest in India, is second in population size only to the Bhils. This prominent tribal community spans across multiple states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Orissa. With a vast membership exceeding four million, the Gond tribe accounts for a significant portion, approximately 35.6%, of India’s total tribal population....

FAQ’s on Major Tribes In India

The President, with consultation in the case of States, may specify through public notification the tribes, tribal communities, or their parts within a State or Union territory to be considered Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution for that region. Parliament has the authority to amend the list of Scheduled Tribes outlined in such notifications, adding or removing tribes or communities. However, once issued, a notification under clause (1) cannot be altered by subsequent notifications. (Constitution of India, Part XVII, Chapter I – Language of the Union)...