Introduction: Census and the Recognition of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes

The decennial Census of India, conducted by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner (RGC), is constitutionally mandated under the Census Act, 1948 (Sections 3 and 4) to enumerate the entire population. Despite this, Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) have not been enumerated as a distinct category in any Census since independence. This omission perpetuates their socio-economic invisibility and exclusion from affirmative action and welfare schemes, despite their estimated population of 100-150 million according to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE). The Census 2021 exercise represents a critical opportunity to correct this historical injustice by formally recognizing DNTs, enabling targeted policy interventions.

Constitutional and Legal Framework Governing Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and Denotified Tribes

Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution empower the President to specify Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) through official notifications. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1956 governs the inclusion or exclusion of communities in these categories. However, DNTs largely remain outside these formal lists, despite their historical marginalization under colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act (repealed in 1952).

The 2018 Supreme Court judgment in State of Maharashtra vs. Milind underscored the necessity of accurate enumeration of DNTs to enable their access to welfare schemes. Legal safeguards such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 depend on precise identification of beneficiaries, which the Census can facilitate.

Economic Marginalization and Welfare Exclusion of DNTs

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment estimates the DNT population at 10-15 crore, yet less than 10% access targeted welfare benefits. The 2023-24 Union Budget allocated ₹2,500 crore under Special Central Assistance for SCs and STs, but DNTs remain largely excluded due to lack of formal recognition. Inclusion in Census data can unlock access to schemes worth over ₹5,000 crore annually across education, health, and livelihood sectors.

The unemployment rate among DNTs is approximately 25%, more than three times the national average of 7.8% (Periodic Labour Force Survey 2022-23). Literacy among DNTs stands at 55%, significantly below the national average of 77.7% (Census 2011). Less than 10% of DNT households benefit from government welfare schemes, reflecting systemic exclusion.

Institutional Roles in Enumeration and Welfare of DNTs

• Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner (RGC): Responsible for Census enumeration and data dissemination.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE): Formulates policies and welfare schemes for marginalized communities, including DNTs.
• National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT): Statutory body monitoring DNT welfare and recommending inclusion measures.
• National Sample Survey Office (NSSO): Provides supplementary socio-economic data relevant to DNTs.
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA): Oversees Scheduled Tribe welfare and coordinates with MoSJE for DNT inclusion.

Data Deficiency and Its Impact on Policy

The 2011 Census did not enumerate DNTs separately, resulting in their statistical invisibility (RGC report, 2012). Only 15% of DNTs are currently covered under SC or ST categories (MoSJE, 2023). This data gap impedes evidence-based policymaking and resource allocation, perpetuating socio-economic exclusion despite constitutional safeguards.

International Comparison: Australia’s Enumeration of Indigenous and Nomadic Communities

Australia’s 2016 Census included distinct enumeration of Indigenous and Nomadic communities, enabling targeted policy interventions. This contributed to a reduction in Indigenous unemployment from 20% in 2016 to 14% in 2021 (Australian Bureau of Statistics). India’s failure to enumerate DNTs separately contrasts sharply with this approach, highlighting a missed opportunity to redress historic injustices.

Critical Gap: Statistical Invisibility of DNTs

The absence of a distinct category for DNTs in the Census leads to their exclusion from affirmative action and welfare despite constitutional provisions. This gap is often overlooked in policy discourse, resulting in underfunding and inadequate program design. Accurate enumeration is a prerequisite for effective social justice interventions.

Way Forward: Leveraging Census for Social Justice

• Include Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes as distinct categories in the Census to generate reliable data.
• Use Census data to revise SC/ST lists and extend affirmative action benefits to eligible DNT communities.
• Coordinate between MoSJE, MoTA, and NCDNT to design targeted welfare schemes based on Census findings.
• Allocate dedicated budgetary resources for DNT welfare, leveraging data-driven evidence to justify increased funding.
• Enhance public awareness and capacity building among enumerators to ensure accurate identification and reporting of DNT populations.