8. Denotified Tribes (DNTs) Seeking Constitutional Recognitio

Background Denotified Tribes (DNTs) are communities historically labelled as “criminal” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, and denotified after Independence. Current Demands • Separate Census column in 2027 for accurate enumeration. • Constitutional recognition similar to SC/ST categories. • Sub-classification to address graded levels of backwardness. • Correction of misclassification that leads to exclusion from welfare benefits. Value Addition (Social Justice Angle) • The SEED scheme for DNTs remains underutilised due to lack of certification and identification. • The Supreme Court has permitted sub-classification within SC/ST, strengthening DNT demands. • Raises debate on a potential new constitutional schedule or refined classification mechanism. Constitutional Framework • Articles 15 & 16: Affirmative action and equality of opportunity. Key Definition • Denotified Tribes: Communities decriminalised after colonial rule but continuing to face stigma and exclusion. Conclusion Targeted constitutional recognition is essential to address historical injustice and ensure effective inclusion of DNTs in India’s social justice framework. UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II – Social justice, vulnerable groups