Tribal Ministry Seeks Separate Census for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

Posted 26 Aug 2025

2 min read

If finalised, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) will count PVTGs independently in the upcoming Census (2027).

Need for Separate Census for PVTGs

PVTGs have historically remained underrepresented in official data.
- Around 40 of the 75 PVTGs are listed as STs and were included in the 2011 Census.
  - The remaining groups, often sub-sections of larger ST communities, were not distinctly enumerated.
For designing targeted, need-based programmes, e.g., the PM-JANMAN programme, to bridge socio-economic gaps for PVTGs across over 200 districts.

They are among the most marginalized and vulnerable sections among tribal communities.
- The Dhebar Commission in the early 1960s first recognised these groups.
There are 75 identified PVTGs in 18 States, and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- A recent centre habitation-level survey estimated the PVTG population to be 45.56 lakh.
- Largest populations: Madhya Pradesh (12.28L), Maharashtra (6.2L), Andhra Pradesh (4.9L).
Criteria for identification include
- Pre-agricultural level of technology
- Low level of literacy
- Economic backwardness
- A declining or stagnant population.

Set up in 1949 and comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Responsibilities:
- Housing & Population Census: Under Census Act, 1948.
- Civil Registration System (CRS): Under the Registration of Births & Deaths (RBD) Act (1969) which provides for the compulsory registration of births and deaths.
- Sample Registration System (SRS): Important source of vital rates like Birth Rate, Death Rate, Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate.
- National Population Register (NPR): In pursuance to provisions contained in Citizenship Rules, 2003 framed under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
- Mother Tongue Survey: Documents the linguistic features of the selected mother tongues.