A separate classification for denotified tribes

A. Issue in Brief

• The Union government has indicated that DNTs may be enumerated in the 2027 Census, but no clarity exists on methodology, prompting demands for a separate Census column for DNTs.
• DNT groups argue that without a distinct count and certification, their historical stigma, socio-economic deprivation, and policy invisibility will persist.
• Multiple commissions have reiterated that accurate identification and classification of DNTs is impossible without a dedicated Census count.

B. Who are DNTs ? 

• DNTs are communities once notified as “criminal tribes” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, which enabled registration, surveillance, and movement restrictions based on colonial stereotypes.
• The Act was repealed in 1952, leading to “denotification,” but several States introduced Habitual Offenders laws, continuing police scrutiny under a new label.
• Colonial logic tied “criminality” to caste and heredity, embedding deep social stigma that outlived formal repeal.

C. Enumeration History

• “Criminal tribes” were explicitly enumerated in 1911 and 1931 Censuses; 1931 was the last Census with such data.
• Post-Independence, India moved away from caste enumeration (except SC/ST), and no dedicated DNT count was undertaken thereafter.
• The Idate Commission on DNTs (2017) identified ~1,200 DNT communities, noting most are placed within SC/ST/OBC lists, and ~268 communities remain unclassified.
• An Anthropological Survey of India study (for NITI Aayog) recommended classifications for the 268 groups, but the report remains unimplemented.

D. Current Policy Status

• Many DNTs are included in SC/ST/OBC lists as “Vimukt Jatis,” enabling partial access to reservations.
• A dedicated welfare push exists via the SEED Scheme for DNTs (livelihood, education, housing, health) with a ₹200 crore outlay, but utilisation has been low.
• A major bottleneck is the non-issuance of DNT certificates across most States; only select districts in a few States issue them.

E. Constitutional / Legal Dimension

• Article 14 & 15: Equality and affirmative action for socially and educationally backward classes.
• Article 46: Directive to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections.
• Debate: Whether DNTs need a separate constitutional category or better targeting within SC/ST/OBC frameworks.

F. Social Justice Dimension

• Persistent stigma and police profiling linked to historical criminalisation.
• High levels of landlessness, mobility, low literacy, and poor access to welfare among many nomadic groups.
• Internal diversity: Some communities relatively advanced; others remain extremely marginalised, raising need for sub-classification.

G. Governance / Administrative Issues

• Lack of a uniform national list and definitions for DNTs complicates targeting.
• Overlap with SC/ST/OBC lists creates data ambiguity and duplication risks.
• Census design challenge: capturing mobile/nomadic populations without double counting or exclusion.

H. Key Debates

• Separate Census column vs integration within existing caste categories.
• Separate constitutional classification vs sub-classification within OBC/SC/ST.
• Balancing recognition of historical injustice with administrative feasibility.

I. Way Forward

• Conduct a time-bound national identification and enumeration exercise with clear definitions for DNT, NT, and SNT.
• Standardise and digitise DNT certification with Centre–State coordination.
• Improve SEED implementation via portable entitlements for mobile populations.
• Consider targeted sub-classification to address uneven backwardness.
• Invest in education, housing, and livelihood support tailored to nomadic lifestyles.

J. Exam Orientation

Prelims Pointers

• Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 labelled certain communities as hereditary criminals; repealed in 1952.
• Many DNTs are today placed in SC/ST/OBC categories, but not all are classified.
• 1931 Census was the last to enumerate such communities.

Practice Question (15 Marks)

• “Historical stigma and data invisibility continue to shape the marginalisation of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes in India.” Discuss the need and challenges of their separate enumeration in the Census.

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