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Idate Commission: Denotified,Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes | UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Oct 15, 2024
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The Idate Commission is also known as the National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT). This commission was constituted by the government of India for the purpose of looking after the long-standing socio-economic challenges that their De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Nomadic Tribes (NTs), and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs) were facing. These groups have always been victims of extreme discrimination and marginalization primarily because of the colonial policies labeling them as "criminal tribes." The Idate Commission, headed by Shri Bhiku Ramji Idate was constituted to observe the status of such groups and to make recommendations for their social, economic, and educational upliftment.

The establishment of the commission marked an important step toward vindicating these groups' unique challenges and stipulating specific policy recommendations for better lives for these groups. NCDNT submitted its report in 2018 in order to put forward the plight of DNTs, NTs, and SNTs, which have been left out of mainstream society even after India has become independent for 70 years.

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Syllabus

General Studies - II

Topic for Prelims 

Scheduled Tribes, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy

Topics for Mains

Constitution and its Principles, Affirmative Actions, Government Schemes

About Denotified Tribes, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes

These are the following factual description of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic tribes

  • Denotified Tribes (DNTs):Those which were listed as criminal tribes by the British colonial regime are labeled here under this term. They are socially ostracized and stigmatized even though the Criminal Tribes Act was repealed in 1952. Some of the examples of DNTs include the Sansis, Pardhis, and Kanjar Bhat.
  • Nomadic Tribes (NTs): These tribes have traditionally been nomadic as their lifestyles have often required them to move continuously from one place to another for economic and social reasons. However, the former always engaged in occupations such as cattle farming, hunting, or performing arts, although their lifestyle is nowadays unstructured by modern legal systems and a shift in economics. Some examples of NTs are Lambadas, Banjaras, and Nats.
  • Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs): These are semi-settling tribes where they are considered settled though still rely on some degree of mobility for their means of livelihood, shifting from one place to another in search of employment or material resources. The SNTs are positioned between the two stages of being sedentary and nomadic, and they struggle with conflicts within a settler society and as a nomad.

Read more about Indian Tribes!

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Historical Background of Denotified Tribes (DNTs)

Denotified Tribes, or DNTs are tribes which were tagged as "criminal tribes" by the British colonial administration of India through the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. This draconian law brands entire communities as being innately criminal and severely restricts their freedom of movement and livelihood. Members of these tribes are compulsorily settled by colonial authorities and subjected to systematic discrimination. Indians were always treated as born criminals whose every move was monitored by the police. This tradition continued till India gained freedom in 1947.

The central government repealed the Criminal Tribes Act five years after India had gained independence in 1952. Formerly classified as "criminal tribes," these groups were now called Denotified Tribes because they had been "de-notified," or delisted. However, the stigma of being inherently criminals continued even when the Act was abolished, and they remained socially and economically marginalized, largely illiterate, unhealthy, and unemployed.

Read more about Welfare schemes for Scheduled Tribes!

Challenges Faced by Denotified, Nomadic and Semi- Nomadic Tribes

The most vulnerable and marginalized community is that of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes of India. It faces considerable social, economic, and political challenges in terms of how it could be understood and absorbed into mainstream society. Some of the most imperative issues include:

  • Discrimination: Even after being de-notified over 70 years ago, these tribes are still considered a criminal element by society. Police harassment and prejudice among the people pose tremendous hurdles in their way to opportunities. Due to discriminatory practices, these communities are pushed into the periphery; thus they fail to obtain either employment, education, or health-care services.
  • Lack of Legal Recognition: Many DNTs, NTs, and SNTs do not have proper documentation or legal identity that keeps them out of entitlement to any government schemes and benefits. This non-recognition further deprives them of claims to their rights over the lands and resources that have led to their existing poverty.
  • Exclusion: These communities have extremely low literacy and education levels. For the purpose of their nomadic lifestyle, most of them never had access to formal education. They are deprived of the meager government welfare measures as they do not possess any documents or permanent resident place. Thus, they become poorer and unemployed more. Occupational skills that these tribes have traditionally used in these avenues are becoming redundant because of urbanization and modernization.
  • Poor Living Conditions: The majority of the DNT and NT stay in precarious, makeshift shelters lacking clean water to drink, sanitation facilities, and medical care. The lower the living conditions, the stronger is the tendency towards illness and disease.
  • Lack of Basic Facilities: The majority of Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes are landless. They have no permanent homes or any legal claim to the piece of land they occupy. It is due to the lack of security of land ownership that they have been exposed to the risk of displacement and exploitation. These tribes, being by nature nomadic or semi-nomadic, found it difficult to have access to government schemes primarily meant for the well-being of such other marginalized communities, Scheduled Tribe or Scheduled Caste people.

Read more about Economic Empowerment of Scheduled Tribes

Recommendations of the Idate Commission

The Idate Commission was formed to enquire into the conditions prevailing amongst the Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes and recommend measures for their welfare. Some of the main recommendations advanced by the Idate Commission are as follows:

  • Constitutional Recognition: It was further suggested that DNTs, NTs, and SNTs be given constitutional recognition under the SC, ST, or OBC depending upon their socio-economic conditions.
  • Creation of Welfare Boards: Permanent Welfare Board for the socio-economic upliftment of DNT, NT, and SNT communities was suggested. This Board would come out with strategic policies to improve educational, health, employment, and housing conditions of the concerned communities.
  • Education: Access to education must be provided to the children belonging to DNT, NT, and SNT communities through the organizing of mobile schools, hostels, and scholarships customized for them.
  • Skill Development and Livelihood Support: The commission was of the view that there should be setting up of the skill development programs starting from skill up-gradation of traditional occupations such as handicrafts, performing arts, and animal husbandry besides diversifying to other sectors.
  • Social Security and Housing: Cases were specifically prepared in order to provide housing and social security rights to DNT and NT communities who live badly without a proper place of dwelling or health services.
  • Scrapping of Discriminatory Laws: The commission also called upon the government to abrogate any remaining colonial laws or practice that continues to stigmatize those tribes and sees to it that they are not subjected to harassment by police or societal discrimination.

Conclusion

The Idate Commission report throws a spotlight on problems confronting de-notified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic tribes in India. Even after the repeal of discriminatory colonial laws, these communities remain beset with deep-seated socio-economic challenges. Bringing recommendations of the Idate Commission into practice would finally see inclusion of the historically marginalized community as equal members in mainstream society. Addressing DNTs, NTs, and SNTs' woes is not so much a social justice cause but the threshold to India's development toward inclusive development.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Article 46: Provide for advancement of educational and economic interests of STs and safeguard against discrimination.
  • Scheduled Tribes Order, 1950: This order lists the communities that are identified as STs in various states and Union Territories.
  • Cultural Diversity: STs in India are made up of a variety of languages, customs, and traditions, which makes India truly culturally diverse.
  • Identity: Tribes are characterized by a very diverse style of living, often very much in tune with nature and their mother earth.
  • Social Structure: Generally, STs have their separate social structures often based on kinship, clan systems, and community ties.

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Idate Commission UPSC FAQs

Shri Bhiku Ramji Idate presided over the Idate Commission.

Denotified Tribes refers to the race considered "criminal tribes" by the British colonial administration through a Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. Since the act was repealed in the year 1952, the group were labelled DNTs, yet they were discriminated against and ostracized.

Implementing would correspondingly require inter-ministerial coordination between different government agencies, community mobilization, and specific welfare programs meant to meet such needs.

NGOs are really important advocacy players concerning DNTs, NTs, and SNTs, providing support in education, health, legal, and community mobilization to empower these groups and help meet their needs.

The Idate Commission, formally called the National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT), was established by the Government of India to grapple with the socio-economic problems of Denotified Tribes (DNTs), Nomadic Tribes (NTs), and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs).

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