The Union Government has informed Parliament that it is not considering any proposal to reclassify Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT/NT/SNT) into SC, ST, or OBC categories.
Background
- Overview: The Anthropological Survey of India, in collaboration with Tribal Research Institutes, conducted a three-year ethnographic study identifying 268 denotified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic communities.
- This study, one of the largest in the country, was commissioned by a NITI Aayog committee.
- Initiation of the Study (2019): The classification effort began after the establishment of the Development Welfare Board for DNT/NT/SNTs (DWBDNC) in 2019.
- Recommendation: The Key Recommendations includes the inclusion of 179 communities in the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes lists across 26 states and union territories.
| An ethnographic survey is a systematic, field-based study of the social, cultural, and economic life of a community, carried out to document its traditions, customs, livelihood patterns, social structure, and identity markers. |
Who Are Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes?
- Most Vulnerable Communities: Also Known as “Vimukt Jatis”, these groups represent some of India’s most marginalized and deprived populations.
- Denotified Tribe:
- Colonial-Era: Denotified Tribes (DNTs) were communities labeled as “born criminals” under British laws starting with the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
- They faced constant surveillance, strict controls, and long-lasting stigma.Post-Independence Development: These colonial laws were repealed in 1952, and the listed communities were officially “de-notified”, by the Indian government in 1952.
- Nomadic Tribes: Nomadic Tribes are groups that traditionally move from one place to another without a permanent home, sustaining themselves through occupations such as salt trading, fortune-telling, performing arts, and pastoral activities.
- Examples: Gujjars, Gadia Lohars.
- Semi-Nomadic Tribes: Semi-Nomadic Tribes are communities that remain mobile for part of the year but return to a fixed settlement during specific periods, often the rainy season while migrating the rest of the year in search of livelihood opportunities.
- Examples: Dhangars, Lambadas.
- Common Characteristics:
- Lack of Land Ownership: Historically, these communities have had little or no access to private land or home ownership.
- Absence of identity documents and low access to education, healthcare, and welfare schemes.
- Exclusion from SC/ST/OBC classifications left many without targeted benefits.
- Population: As per the 2001 Census, around 10.74 crore people belong to DNT, NT and SNT communities in India.
- NCRWC Findings (2002): The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution observed that DNTs were wrongly stigmatized as crime-prone and routinely subjected to exploitation by authorities and broader society.
- Recognition: Various committees since Independence have highlighted their challenges, including:
- Criminal Tribes Inquiry Committee (1947),
- Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Committee (1949)—which recommended repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act,
- Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953),
- Mandal Commission (1980).
- Renke Commission (2008): The Renke Commission highlighted that most DNT/NT/SNT communities lacked basic identity documents, education, healthcare, and livelihood support.
- Idate Commission: The Idate Commission was set up in 2014 under the chairmanship of Bhiku Ramji Idate to prepare a comprehensive statewide list of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs).
- The Commission was also tasked with identifying communities left out of the SC, ST, and OBC categories and recommending appropriate welfare measures to support their social and economic development.
Developmental Efforts for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
- Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships: This centrally sponsored scheme, launched in 2014–15, supports DNT students who are not included under SC, ST, or OBC categories.
- Nanaji Deshmukh Hostel Scheme: Introduced in 2014–15, this scheme provides hostel facilities for DNT boys and girls not covered under SC, ST, or OBC categories.
- Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs:
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- This initiative offers free coaching for competitive exams, health insurance coverage, housing support, and livelihood assistance.
- It allocates ₹200 crore over five years beginning in 2021–22 for comprehensive development support.
- The Development and Welfare Board for DNTs (DWBDNC) is responsible for implementing this scheme.
Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities
- Legal Status: Registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- Establishment: It was constituted on 21 February 2019, with Bhiku Ramji Idate serving as its chairperson.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Composition:
- Chairperson: Appointed by the Government of India.
- Member Secretary / Chief Executive Officer: Holds the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
- 3 Ex-Officio Members and 5 Nominated Members, nominated by the Government of India.
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6 Dec 2025
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