Denotified Tribes Seek Constitutional Recognition

Denotified Tribes (DNTs), Nomadic Tribes (NTs), and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs) have demanded constitutional recognition and a separate Census column in the proposed 2027 caste enumeration.

Demands by Denotified tribes (DNTs), Nomadic tribes, and Semi-nomadic tribes

• Separate Census Column
  • Core Demand: Inclusion of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes in a separate column with a distinct code in the 2027 caste census.
  • Rationale: Without separate enumeration, these communities fear they will once again be statistically absorbed into larger categories and lose visibility.
  • Census Significance: The 2027 exercise will be India’s first caste enumeration since 1931, making it critical for correcting historical omissions.
• Constitutional Recognition:
• • Separate Schedule: They are demanding recognition through a separate Constitutional Schedule, on par with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, to institutionalise targeted safeguards
  • Objective: To acknowledge their unique historical injustice, extreme marginalisation, and continuing stigma

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Key Issues and Community Concerns

• Graded Backwardness: Leaders emphasise internal disparities, seeking sub-classification to distinguish between settled and nomadic DNT groups.
• Continuing Stigma : Despite denotification, many communities reportedly face social stigma and policing under “habitual offender” frameworks.
• Documentation Gaps : Non-issuance of DNT certificates by States has limited access to welfare schemes such as SEED.
• Data Deficit : Absence of reliable population data has weakened policy advocacy, reinforcing the demand for formal Census enumeration

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.
• 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• Post-Independence : These colonial laws were repealed in 1952, and the listed communities were officially “de-notified”, by the Indian government.
  • Over decades, most DNTs were absorbed into SC, ST, or OBC categories, while several communities remained unclassified
• 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.
  • Identified over 1,200 DNT communities nationwide.
  • Found about 267 communities not classified under SC, ST, or OBC.
    

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: 
• • 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.

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