Q. No. 1. Which one of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC CSE Prelims, 2005)

(a) There is no definition of the Scheduled Tribes in the Constitution of India.

(b) North-East India accounts for a little over half of the country’s tribal population.

(c) The people known as Todas live in the Nilgiri area.

(d) Lotha is a language spoken in Nagaland.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  1. The Constitution does not lay down a sociological definition based on language, race, occupation or isolation. Article 366(25) instead says that Scheduled Tribes are those tribal communities, or parts or groups within them, that are deemed Scheduled Tribes under Article 342.
  2. The absence of a descriptive definition does not mean that the expression has no constitutional meaning. Its meaning is derived through the notified lists issued under Article 342. Hence, option (a) is correct.
  3. Option (b) confuses two demographic measures: the proportion of Scheduled Tribes within the population of many northeastern states is very high, but the Northeast’s share in India’s total Scheduled Tribe population is much smaller because the absolute populations of several northeastern states are comparatively low. Hence, option (b) is incorrect.
  4. The Toda are a pastoral community traditionally associated with the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. Hence, option (c) is correct.
  5. Lotha is one of the languages spoken by a Naga community in Nagaland and belongs to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan family. Hence, option (d) is correct.
  6. Hence, option (b) is correct.


Q. No. 2. Which among the following states has no notified Scheduled Tribe community? (56th–59th BPSC Prelims, 2015)

(a) Maharashtra

(b) Chhattisgarh

(c) Haryana

(d) Karnataka

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

  1. According to the Census-2011 administrative position in the source, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Puducherry had no notified Scheduled Tribe population.
  2. Hence, option C is correct.


Q. No. 3. Which is the largest tribe in India? (Jharkhand PCS Prelims, 2021)

(a) Santhal

(b) Gond

(c) Kol

(d) Bhil

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

  1. According to Census 2011 figures reproduced in the source, the Bhil population was 17,071,049, making it the largest individual Scheduled Tribe group in India. The Gond population was 13,256,928, placing it second.
  2. The main Bhil concentration extends through the western and central Indian uplands of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
  3. Hence, option (d) is correct.


Q. No. 4. With reference to the Changpa community of India, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE Prelims, 2014)

1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand. 

2. They rear Pashmina goats that yield fine wool. 

3. They are included in the category of Scheduled Tribes. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  1. The Changpa are high-altitude nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists associated principally with the Changthang Plateau of eastern Ladakh, not Uttarakhand. Their seasonal mobility is adapted to cold-arid conditions, sparse pastures, low precipitation and extreme winter temperatures. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  2. Changpa pastoralism is centred on sheep, yak and the Changthangi or Pashmina goat. The fine undercoat produced by these goats supplies raw pashmina wool and provides insulation against severe winter cold. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  3. Changpa are included in the Scheduled Tribes list applicable to the Ladakh region. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  4. Their pastoral cycle illustrates transhumance adapted to a cold desert. The controlling factors are pasture availability, snow cover, water sources and seasonal temperature.
  5. Hence, option (b) is correct.


Q. No. 5. Consider the following pairs: (UPSC CSE Prelims, 2013)

1. Limboo (Limbu) — Sikkim 

2. Karbi — Himachal Pradesh 

3. Dongaria Kondh — Odisha 

4. Bonda — Tamil Nadu. 

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? 

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

  1. The Limboo or Limbu community is found in Sikkim and adjoining parts of the eastern Himalaya, including the Darjeeling region and areas of Nepal and Bhutan. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
  2. Karbi is a major community of Assam, particularly associated with the Karbi Anglong region. Himachal Pradesh is not their principal region. Hence, pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
  3. Dongaria Kondh are a PVTG associated with the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha, especially in the Rayagada–Kalahandi region. Hence, pair 3 is correctly matched.
  4. Bonda are associated with the hill tracts of Malkangiri district in Odisha, particularly the Khairaput area. They are not a Tamil Nadu tribe. Hence, pair 4 is incorrectly matched.
  5. Hence, option (a) is correct.


Q. No. 6. Which one of the following pairs of states and tribes is not correctly matched? (UPSC CSE Prelims, 1999)

(a) Assam — Miri

(b) Nagaland — Konyak

(c) Arunachal Pradesh — Apatani

(d) Madhya Pradesh — Lambada

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

  1. Miri, now commonly referred to as Mishing, are concentrated in Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in areas connected with the Brahmaputra Valley. Hence, option (a) is correctly matched.
  2. Konyak are a major Naga community concentrated in the Mon region of Nagaland, with some presence in adjoining Arunachal Pradesh. Hence, option (b) is correctly matched.
  3. Apatani inhabit the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. Their intensive wet-rice cultivation, water management and use of a confined valley environment make them an important example of agricultural adaptation. Hence, option (c) is correctly matched.
  4. Lambada, also known as Lambani, Banjara or Sugali in different regions, are principally associated historically with Rajasthan and later with Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and adjoining areas. Hence, option (d) is incorrectly matched.
  5. Hence, option (d) is correct.


Q. No. 7. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer. (UPPCS Prelims, 2014)

List I: 

A. Birhor, 

B. Bhutia, 

C. Toda, 

D. Sentinelese. 

List II: 

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 

2. Tamil Nadu, 

3. Sikkim, 

4. Jharkhand. 

(a) A–4, B–3, C–2, D–1

(b) A–2, B–4, C–1, D–3

(c) A–3, B–2, C–4, D–1

(d) A–4, B–1, C–3, D–2

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

  1. Birhor — Jharkhand: Birhor are a small, traditionally forest-dependent community found mainly in Jharkhand and adjoining parts of eastern and central India. Birhor are also included among the PVTGs.
  2. Bhutia — Sikkim: Bhutia are associated principally with Sikkim and the eastern Himalayan cultural region. They have historical and cultural links with Tibet.
  3. Toda — Tamil Nadu: Toda are traditionally associated with the upper Nilgiri plateau of Tamil Nadu.
  4. Sentinelese — Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Sentinelese inhabit North Sentinel Island in the Andaman group and have maintained extreme isolation from outsiders.
  5. The correct combination is A–4, B–3, C–2 and D–1.
  6. Hence, option (a) is correct.


Q. No. 8. In which one of the following places is the Shompen tribe found? (UPSC CSE Prelims, 2009)

(a) Nilgiri Hills

(b) Nicobar Islands

(c) Spiti Valley

(d) Lakshadweep Islands

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  1. Shompen are indigenous inhabitants of the interior of Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost major island of the Nicobar group. Their traditional livelihood has included hunting, gathering, forest-resource use and limited cultivation.
  2. Island Distinction: Shompen — Great Nicobar; Sentinelese — North Sentinel Island; Onge — Little Andaman; Jarawa — parts of South and Middle Andaman.
  3. Hence, option (b) is correct.


Q. No. 9. Where do the Sahariya tribals live? (UPSC CSE Prelims, 2005)

(a) Andhra Pradesh

(b) Assam

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Odisha

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

  1. Sahariya or Saharia communities are concentrated in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, especially in the southeastern Rajasthan–northwestern Madhya Pradesh transitional region. Rajasthan is the only correct option provided.
  2. Sahariya populations occur particularly in eastern and southeastern Rajasthan, including areas connected with the Chambal basin and the Madhya Pradesh border.
  3. Sahariya are included among the PVTGs. Their historical dependence on forests, agricultural labour, minor forest produce and catechu from khair trees demonstrates the linkage between tribal livelihoods and dry-deciduous forest resources.
  4. Hence, option C is correct.


Q. No. 10. Transhumance is practised by the: (UPPCS Prelims, 1997; Uttarakhand PCS Prelims, 2003)

(a) Bhotias

(b) Bhoksas

(c) Jaunsaris

(d) Tharus

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

  1. Transhumance is the seasonal movement of pastoralists and livestock between fixed summer and winter grazing grounds. In mountain regions, this usually involves upward movement to alpine pastures during summer and downward movement to lower valleys during winter.
  2. Bhotia communities of the Himalayan region have historically combined pastoral movement, trade and limited agriculture. Their movement responded to altitude, pasture availability, snowfall and seasonal accessibility.
  3. Hence, option (a) is correct.


Q. No. 11. Which of the following tribes of India traditionally practise polyandry? (UPPCS Prelims, 2009; UPPCS Mains, 2006)

1. Gonds 

2. Nagas 

3. Jaunsaris 

4. Todas 

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 1 and 4

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

  1. Polyandry is a form of marriage in which one woman has more than one husband. In fraternal polyandry, the husbands are brothers. Historically, such arrangements have sometimes been linked with maintaining undivided family land and adapting to limited cultivable land.
  2. Gond communities are not generally identified in standard examination literature with polyandry. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  3. Naga communities are culturally diverse, and polyandry is not the standard general association used for them in this question. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  4. Jaunsari communities of the western Himalayan region have traditionally been associated in anthropological literature with forms of polyandry. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  5. Toda communities of the Nilgiri Hills have also traditionally been associated with polyandrous practices. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
  6. Hence, option (c) is correct.


Q. No. 12. Jhum cultivation is practised by the: (UPPCS Prelims, 2010)

(a) Bhotiyas

(b) Khasis

(c) Santhals

(d) Todas

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  1. Jhum is the northeastern Indian term for shifting cultivation. Vegetation on a selected plot is cut and usually burned; crops are grown for a short period, after which the plot is left fallow and cultivators move to another plot.
  2. Khasi communities are associated with the hills of Meghalaya, where shifting cultivation has historically been practised alongside settled cultivation and horticulture.
  3. The environmental effect of shifting cultivation depends heavily on the fallow period. Long fallow allows soil fertility and vegetation to recover; shortened cycles may cause nutrient depletion, erosion and forest degradation.
  4. Hence, option B is correct.


Q. No. 13. Bharmour tribal region is located in: (66th BPSC Prelims Re-Examination, 2020)

(a) Sikkim

(b) Himachal Pradesh

(c) Uttarakhand

(d) Ladakh

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  1. Bharmour is located in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. It was historically the capital of the former Chamba kingdom and is an important centre of the Gaddi cultural region.
  2. Option (b), Himachal Pradesh, is correct.
  3. Bharmour lies in the upper Ravi basin within a rugged western Himalayan environment. Altitude, steep slopes, snowbound passes and limited agricultural land historically encouraged a mixed economy of pastoralism, seasonal mobility and cultivation.
  4. Hence, option (b) is correct.


Q. No. 14. A community of people called Manganiyars is well known for its: (UPSC CSE Prelims, 2014)

(a) Martial arts in Northeast India

(b) Musical tradition in Northwest India

(c) Classical vocal music in South India

(d) Pietra dura tradition in Central India

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  1. Manganiyars are hereditary folk musicians associated principally with the desert districts of western Rajasthan and neighbouring Sindh in Pakistan. Their music is closely connected with patron families, oral traditions, genealogies, festivals and the cultural landscape of the Thar Desert.
  2. Western Rajasthan forms part of northwestern India, and Manganiyars are renowned for vocal and instrumental folk traditions.
  3. Manganiyars should not automatically be described as a Scheduled Tribe merely because they appear in a chapter on tribes and communities. Community, tribe, Scheduled Tribe, Denotified Tribe and caste group are not interchangeable legal categories.
  4. Hence, option (b) is correct.


Q. No. 15. In the Indian context, the term “Denotified Tribes” refers to: (UPSC CSE Prelims, 1996)

(a) Tribes regarded as aboriginal communities

(b) Nomadic tribes

(c) Tribes practising shifting cultivation

(d) Communities earlier classified as “criminal tribes”

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

  1. During colonial rule, several mobile, pastoral, artisan and other communities were notified under the Criminal Tribes Acts, beginning in 1871. The legislation treated entire communities as hereditary criminals and subjected them to surveillance and restrictions.
  2. After independence, these laws were repealed, and the affected communities were de-notified in 1952. The expression therefore refers historically to communities removed from the colonial list.
  3. Hence, option (d) is correct.