Given the diversities among the tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be considered as a single category? (UPSC 2022)

India’s tribal communities are culturally, linguistically and geographically diverse. Yet they should be treated as a single category where common constitutional protection, planning and justice are needed.

• Legal and political safeguards: For reservations in education, jobs and legislatures, all are grouped as Scheduled Tribes under Articles 342, 15(4), 16(4), 330 and 332.
• Protection of land and self-rule: In Scheduled Areas, the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, PESA and the Forest Rights Act provide a common framework against alienation and for local governance.
• Social justice: The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act treats them as one protected class against discrimination and violence.
• Development planning: For targeted welfare, budget allocation, tribal sub-plans, EMRS, PM-JANMAN and other schemes use a single ST category.
• Vulnerability-based policy: In contexts of poverty, illiteracy, poor health, displacement and forest dependence, a collective approach is needed.

Thus, tribals are not one in culture, but they are one in law, vulnerability and welfare policy.