Denotified tribes seek constitutional recognition, separate Census entry
In the run-up to the 2027 Census, Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT/NT/SNT) across India have renewed demands for formal constitutional recognition and a distinct Census category.
Core Demands
- Constitutional Recognition: Leaders are seeking a dedicated Constitutional Schedule, similar to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), to address historical marginalisation and provide a clear legal-constitutional identity.
- Separate Census Entry: The communities are pushing for a separate column and unique code in the upcoming caste enumeration exercise, arguing that current classifications obscure their numbers and limit access to benefits.
- Sub-classification: There is a demand to recognise "graded backwardness" within the groups, specifically between settled and nomadic populations.
Current Status & Challenges
- Census Inclusion: While the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has recommended their inclusion and the Registrar General of India has agreed "in principle," community leaders worry that inclusion without a separate code will not suffice.
- Stigma and Profiling: These groups continue to face social stigma and profiling despite the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.
- Implementation Gaps: Schemes intended for DNTs have faced low utilisation, partly due to state reluctance in issuing community certificates.
- Unclassified Communities: The Idate Commission identified around 1,200 tribes, but approximately 267 communities are not currently included in any constitutional classification (SC, ST, or OBC), leaving them without affirmative action benefits.
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