Tribal areas, Tribal policies, Plans, Programmes

9.1 History of Administration, Policies, Plans/Programmes, PTGs/PVTGs & Role of NGOs

A) NGOs, Civil Society & Community Participation

• Discuss the role of NGOs in the socio-economic and political development of weaker sections and the manner in which they facilitate other stakeholders. (2025)
• Critically discuss the recent welfare measures initiated by the Government for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Comment why PVTGs were erroneously called Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). (2024)
• How is PESA Act empowering local self-governance and impacting women’s political participation? (2024)
• Elucidate the problems faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and the major challenges in formulating special programmes for their development. (2023)

• Discuss the interventions made by the Non-Governmental Organizations for empowering tribal women. (2021)
• Critically discuss the role of NGOs in tribal development. (2019)
• Recently non-government organizations have been critiqued for interfering with developmental process in tribal heartland! Critically comment. (2015)
• Critically examine the role of NGOs in promoting health and education in tribal areas. (2014)
• Write a note in 150 words on Participatory Rural Appraisal. (2012)
• NGOs and tribal development. (2009)
• Write a note on Role of NGO’s in Development. (2007)
• Write a note on the role of N.G.O.s for tribal development. (2002)
• Write a note on Role of NGOs in literacy programme. (1996)

PTGs / PVTGs: Concept, Programmes & Issues

• What are the identifying criteria for PVTGs in India? Examine their current status, nomenclature and distribution. (2025)

• Identify some special programmes for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (erstwhile PTGs). (2019)
• Write a note in 150 words on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (earlier known as PTG). (2017)
• Write a note in 150 words on The concept of PTG. (2014)
• What are the special problems of the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs)? How far have Government programmes addressed these? (2008)

Policies, Plans & Programmes (Design, Evolution, Appraisal)

• Views of G. S. Ghurye and Verrier Elwin on tribal policy; Government of India’s approach. (2022)

• Discuss the emergence, salient features and limitations of Tribal Sub-Plan. (2017)
• Critically evaluate the National Tribal Policy. (2014)
• Sustainable Development of Tribes. (2004)
• Implications of recent Presidential orders relating to STs and SCs. (2003)
• What do you understand by integrated tribal and rural development programmes? Evaluate success/failure. (2002)
• Plans and Programmes of Tribal development. (1997)

D) Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) – Focused

• Tribal sub-plan. (2005)
• Write a note on Tribal Sub-Plan. (1999)

E) Administration & Historical Trajectory

• Using suitable examples, bring out the historical processes of social exclusion of denotified tribes. (2012)
• History of tribal administration in India. (2004)
• Write a note in 200 words: History of tribal administration in India. (1984)

F) Mainstreaming Approaches & Development Paradigms

• Critically examine the role of NGOs and missionaries in transformation of Scheduled Tribes in Central India. (2016)
• Critically evaluate various approaches to set the tribals within the mainstream of Indian civilization. Which is relevant today? (1995)
• What policies have been suggested for bringing tribals into the national mainstream? Which do you consider suitable? (1985)
• How are cultural factors important in planning and executing development programmes among simple communities? (1982)

G) Sectoral Outcomes: Education, Jobs & SC Welfare (comparative asks included)

• Discuss the effect of job reservation in alleviating unemployment among tribal people of India. (2020)
• Mention various developmental programmes implemented for socio-economic well-being of Scheduled Castes. Do they fulfil aspirations? (2001)
• Tribal education in the context of development. (2000)

9.2 Role of Anthropology in Tribal and Rural Development

Anthropology in Tribal Development

1. Examine the strengths and weaknesses of anthropology in the context of its role in tribal and rural development. (2018)
2. Examine in detail the role of anthropology in planning for tribal development. (2015)
3. Discuss the significance of cultural and administrative factors in tribal development. (2013)
4. Discuss the role of Anthropology in planning and executing developmental programmes among the tribal communities. (1985)
5. Write a note in 200 words on Role of anthropology in tribal development. (1984)
6. How does applied anthropology help solve problems confronting Administrators in tribal areas? (1981)

Anthropology in Rural Development

1. Describe how anthropological knowledge and methods are useful in rural development. (2016)
2. Critically assess the role of anthropologists in rural development. (2014)
3. Write a note on Role of anthropologists in rural development. (2005)

Anthropologists as Planners & Administrators

1. Describe the role of anthropologists in Tribal Development. (2006)
2. Write a note on Role of Anthropologists as Administrators. (1997)

Approaches, Criticism & Debates

1. Discuss the criticism levelled against anthropology in the context of isolation vs assimilation debate on tribal populations. (2013)
2. Write a note on Anthropological approach to tribal development. (1987)
3. Write a note on Role of anthropology in tribal development. (1994)
4. Write a note on Role of anthropology in tribal development. (1992)
5. Anthropologists are better equipped to play an effective role in rural and tribal development. Discuss. (2004)

9.3 Contributions of Anthropology to Regionalism, Communalism & Ethnic/Political Movements

Regionalism & Autonomy Movements

1. Discuss the regionalism and demand for autonomy in India from an anthropological perspective with respect to Kashmir / Nagaland / Bodoland / Gorkhaland agitations. (2020)

Communalism & Social Tensions

1. Write a note in 150 words on Anthropological understanding of communalism. (2019)

Ethnic & Political Movements (Anthropological Interpretation)

1. How political economy is integrated with ecological and adaptability perspectives in bio-cultural anthropology? (2025)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Anthropological interpretation of ethnic and political movements. (2016)
3. In what ways has anthropology contributed to the understanding of ethnic & political movements in India? (2009)
4. To what extent is ethnicity responsible for tribal movements in India? Elaborate with examples. (1995)

1. Policy, Economy & Ecology (Applied Anthropology)
2. How anthropologists assess the nutritional status of a community? Discuss the significance of intersectionality of ecology, culture and social inequality in the study of nutritional anthropology. (2025)

1. Foetal origin of adult diseases and contribution of David Barker. (2025)
2. Discuss the contribution of anthropology in understanding loss of livelihood of tribal communities due to economic and ecological factors. (2017)
3. Using examples, comment on how anthropology can be utilized in policy making. (2012)