in5points
Current AffairsPolityPIBprelims

Kerala Scheduled Tribes: Demographics, Schemes, and Forest Rights Act Implementation

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

PolitySocial JusticeEconomy

Why in news

The Minister of State for Tribal Affairs provided data on Kerala's Scheduled Tribe population, fund allocations, and implementation of the Forest Rights Act in a Lok Sabha reply. This highlights the government's focus on tribal welfare and development initiatives in Kerala.

Background

Scheduled Tribes in Kerala constitute 1.45% of the state's population as per the 2011 Census. The Forest Rights Act, 2006, is a key legislation for recognizing forest rights of tribal communities. Various central and state schemes aim at their socio-economic development.

Key facts

in5points

  1. Kerala's ST population is 4,84,839 (1.45% of state total) as per 2011 Census.

  2. Districts with highest ST population: Wayanad, Idukki, Palakkad, Kasaragod, Kannur.

  3. Under Forest Rights Act, 2006: 2,923 Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and 110 Community Forest Rights (CFR) pattas distributed in Kerala (total 3,033).

  4. Funds released to Kerala under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP): ₹781.36 cr (2021-22), ₹859.50 cr (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25), ₹920.00 cr (2025-26).

  5. PM-JANMAN launched on 15 Nov 2023; ₹2.29 cr released to Kerala in 2023-24.

  6. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) launched on 2 Oct 2024, covering 63,843 villages across 30 states/UTs with total outlay of ₹79,156 cr.

  7. Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students: ₹225/month (day scholars) and ₹525/month (hostellers) for 10 months; parental income limit ₹2.5 lakh/year.

  8. Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students: financial assistance for post-matric/secondary level studies.

  9. Funding pattern for Pre-Matric Scholarship: Centre:State = 75:25 (except NE & Himalayan states where 90:10; UTs without legislature 100% central).

Prelims pointers

  • Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) - recognizes individual and community forest rights.
  • Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) - dedicated fund for ST development.
  • PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) - launched 15 Nov 2023.
  • Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) - launched 2 Oct 2024.
  • Article 275(1) of Constitution - grants for ST welfare.
  • Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships for ST students.
  • Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) - nodal ministry.
  • Census 2011 - ST population data.
  • Wayanad, Idukki, Palakkad, Kasaragod, Kannur - high ST population districts in Kerala.

Mains angles

  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in securing land rights for tribal communities in Kerala.
  • Discuss the role of central schemes like TSP, PM-JANMAN, and DAJGUA in the socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes.
  • Analyze the challenges in implementation of tribal welfare schemes in Kerala and suggest measures.
  • Examine the significance of scholarships in improving educational outcomes among ST students.
Kerala Scheduled Tribes: Demographics, Schemes, and Forest Rights Act Implementation — UPSC Polity · in5points