Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs)

Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs), now officially referred to as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), constitute a special category within India’s Scheduled Tribes. They are communities identified as being at the lowest levels of socio-economic development and cultural assimilation. Recognised for their distinct traditional practices, minimal exposure to modern technology, and small population sizes, these groups have been the focus of targeted developmental initiatives by the Government of India since the 1970s.

Background and Concept

The term Primitive Tribal Groups was first introduced in 1973 by the Government of India to identify tribal communities whose conditions were more backward than the rest of the Scheduled Tribes. These groups were characterised by primitive agricultural practices, low literacy levels, stagnant or declining populations, and sub-subsistence economies largely dependent on natural resources. In 2006, the nomenclature was officially changed to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) to avoid the derogatory implication of the word “primitive”.
The identification of PTGs followed a set of parameters developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Planning Commission, focusing on the degree of isolation, backwardness, and economic vulnerability. The process aimed to enable targeted planning for their upliftment through a Focused Approach Strategy under tribal sub-plans.

Characteristics of Primitive Tribal Groups

Primitive Tribal Groups exhibit a number of defining socio-economic and cultural features that distinguish them from other Scheduled Tribes:

• Pre-agricultural level of technology: PTGs often rely on shifting cultivation, hunting, gathering, and rudimentary farming techniques.
• Low literacy rates: Education levels are significantly lower than national and tribal averages due to remoteness and lack of access to schooling.
• Subsistence economy: Their livelihoods are primarily based on forest produce, with minimal engagement in the market economy.
• Small and stagnant population: Many PTGs have low population growth rates, with some showing signs of decline due to health and nutritional challenges.
• Social isolation: They often reside in remote forested or hilly regions, maintaining distinct cultural identities and minimal contact with mainstream society.

These features have made PTGs more vulnerable to external pressures such as deforestation, displacement, and cultural erosion.

Distribution and Examples in India

India is home to 75 recognised PVTGs, spread across 18 states and one Union Territory (Andaman and Nicobar Islands). The states with the largest numbers include Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
Some notable examples of PTGs include:

• Birhor, Asur, and Hill Kharia in Jharkhand
• Chenchu, Konda Reddi, and Savara in Andhra Pradesh
• Baiga and Bhariya in Madhya Pradesh
• Kutia Kondh and Dongria Kondh in Odisha
• Onge, Great Andamanese, and Jarawa in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Saharia in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh

Each group maintains its own linguistic, cultural, and social practices that have been preserved over centuries, though many are now under threat from modernisation and habitat loss.

Government Policies and Programmes

The Indian government has launched several measures aimed at the welfare and development of PTGs, integrated within broader tribal welfare frameworks. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs coordinates the implementation of the Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) Scheme, first introduced in the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–79).
The scheme’s objectives include:

• Habitat and livelihood improvement
• Health care and nutrition programmes
• Access to education and skill training
• Land and housing security
• Conservation of traditional culture and environment

The scheme provides funding to states and Union Territories for micro-level planning and implementation through Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) and District Tribal Welfare Offices. The approach emphasises community participation, sustainability, and protection of traditional ecological knowledge.

Socio-Economic Challenges

Despite these interventions, PTGs continue to face serious developmental challenges. Their geographical isolation often results in limited access to healthcare, education, and sanitation facilities. High levels of malnutrition, infant mortality, and disease prevalence remain widespread. Land alienation and displacement due to industrialisation, mining, and forest policies have further aggravated their vulnerabilities.
Many PTGs also encounter difficulties in securing legal rights over forest lands, despite the provisions of the Forest Rights Act (2006). Additionally, modernisation pressures have led to cultural dilution and intergenerational loss of traditional knowledge systems.

Cultural and Ecological Significance

Primitive Tribal Groups play an important role in preserving India’s cultural and ecological heritage. Their traditional knowledge of forest resources, herbal medicine, and ecological balance offers valuable insights into sustainable living. Their art forms, oral traditions, and social organisation provide an anthropological window into India’s early human civilisations and community-based resource management systems.
Several PTGs have also contributed to biodiversity conservation by maintaining sacred groves and adhering to customary environmental ethics. Their sustainable practices align closely with modern ecological preservation principles.

Current Status and Future Directions

In recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on adopting rights-based and participatory approaches in PTG development. Programmes now focus on ensuring access to education, healthcare, and livelihood diversification without disrupting cultural identities. The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996 and Forest Rights Act, 2006 have strengthened community participation and local governance in tribal areas.
Digital and mobile technologies are also being explored to bridge communication gaps and provide real-time access to welfare services. However, there remains a pressing need for context-specific policies that balance modernisation with cultural preservation.
Efforts by non-governmental organisations, anthropologists, and social workers complement state initiatives by focusing on capacity-building, health awareness, and income-generation activities among these communities.

Significance in National Development

The inclusion of Primitive Tribal Groups in the national development agenda underscores India’s commitment to inclusive growth and social justice. By addressing the needs of its most vulnerable communities, the state seeks to promote equality, human dignity, and cultural diversity. PTG welfare policies contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to poverty eradication, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.