Major Tribes of India

Indigenous communities in India notified under Article 342 of the Constitution, characterized by primitive traits, distinct culture, shyness of contact, and economic backwardness.

A sub-classification of tribal groups identified by declining or stagnant population, pre-agricultural level of technology, and extremely low literacy; formerly known as Primitive Tribal Groups.

A particularly vulnerable tribal group of Odisha living in the Malkangiri district, known for their isolated hilltop settlements and adherence to a traditional matrilineal social structure.

A pastoral tribal community inhabiting the Nilgiri Hills of Southern India, famous for their unique barrel-shaped huts and ritualistic buffalo-herding economy.

One of the largest central Indian tribal groups, distributed across Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra, historically renowned for their kingdoms and shifting cultivation practices (Dahia/Penda).

The largest tribal community in Jharkhand and West Bengal, belonging to the Proto-Australoid racial stock and known for their historical participation in the Santhal Hul rebellion of 1855.

A major Indo-Aryan speaking tribal group inhabiting the Western Satpura and Aravalli ranges across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

An indigenous Negrito tribe inhabiting the South and Middle Andaman Islands, who maintained strict isolation until recent decades.

An uncontacted Negrito hunter-gatherer tribe living on North Sentinel Island in the Andaman archipelago, protected by strict government exclusion zones.

A local term for slash-and-burn or shifting agriculture widely practiced by the hill tribes of North-East India, leading to forest clearing and short-term soil fertility use.

A pastoralist community residing primarily in the western Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh (Bharmour region), practicing transhumance between the high alpine meadows and the lower valleys.

A nomadic pastoralist tribe of Jammu and Kashmir, primarily engaged in goat and sheep rearing, migrating seasonally with their herds across the Pir Panjal range.

A designated Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group living in the Nallamala forests of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, traditionally relying entirely on hunting and gathering forest produce.

Classified the population of India into 6 major racial groups and 9 sub-types, establishing the foundation for linking indigenous Indian tribes to Proto-Australoid, Negrito, and Mongoloid physical stocks.

Proposed that tribes should be protected from rapid, disruptive mainstream assimilation by creating a protective 'National Park' environment, heavily influencing early post-independence tribal welfare policy.

A five-point framework for tribal development emphasizing development along lines of their own genius, respect for tribal land rights, training tribal people in administration, avoiding over-administration, and judging results by quality of human character.

Argued that Indian tribes are essentially 'backward Hindus' and favored gradual acculturation and integration into mainstream Indian society rather than anthropological isolation.