MAIN QUESTIONS
Q1. What are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), which the Government of India wants to be counted separately in the Census? Discuss their features, origin of the category, and the significance of separate enumeration. (15 marks, 250 words)
Topic – Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
Source: The Indian Express
Introduction
The tribal population in India is highly diverse, with significant variations in socio-economic development across different communities. To address disparities among Scheduled Tribes (STs), the Dhebar Commission (1960–61) recommended the identification of the most vulnerable groups. This led to the creation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), who require special attention in policy and development interventions. The Government of India now proposes to enumerate PVTGs separately in the Census to ensure accurate data for targeted welfare schemes.
Body
- Origin of the PVTG Category
- Defining Features of PVTGs
- Distribution and Demography
- Rationale for Separate Census Enumeration
- Challenges and Policy Implications
Conclusion
The identification of PVTGs reflects India’s recognition of inequalities within Scheduled Tribes and the need for targeted interventions. Separate enumeration in the Census will provide accurate demographic and socio-economic data, strengthening the foundation for welfare policies. However, enumeration must be combined with updated identification criteria, protection of habitat rights, and empowerment-oriented development. This approach will ensfure that PVTGs benefit from inclusive growth while retaining their cultural distinctiveness.
UPSC Syllabus
Welfare of vulnerable sections
Why was this question asked?
“Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
Introduction
The tribal population in India is highly diverse, with significant variations in socio-economic development across different communities. To address disparities among Scheduled Tribes (STs), the Dhebar Commission (1960–61) recommended the identification of the most vulnerable groups. This led to the creation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), who require special attention in policy and development interventions. The Government of India now proposes to enumerate PVTGs separately in the Census to ensure accurate data for targeted welfare schemes.
Body
Origin of the PVTG Category
- The category was created based on the recommendations of the Dhebar Commission (1960–61), which examined the conditions of Scheduled Tribes.
- The Commission observed that certain tribal communities were more vulnerable than others due to extreme isolation and socio-economic disadvantages.
- Initially, during the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974–79), 52 groups were identified as Primitive Tribal Groups.
- In 2006, the term “Primitive” was replaced by “Particularly Vulnerable” to avoid derogatory usage.
- Currently, 75 PVTGs have been identified across 18 states and one Union Territory (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
Defining Features of PVTGs
- PVTGs are characterised by a stagnant or declining population, reflecting demographic vulnerability.
- They live in geographical isolation, often in remote forested, hilly, or inaccessible areas.
- Their economy is pre-agrarian, based on hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation rather than settled agriculture.
- They display low literacy levels and limited access to modern education.
- Their economic condition is marked by subsistence living and lack of integration into the wider market economy.
Distribution and Demography
- PVTGs are spread across 18 states and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- A recent survey conducted for the PM JANMAN scheme (2023) estimated the PVTG population at around 47.5 lakh.
- Madhya Pradesh has the highest estimated PVTG population at 13.22 lakh, followed by Maharashtra with 6.7 lakh and Andhra Pradesh with 5.18 lakh.
- Some groups are extremely small in number, such as the Sentinelese with only about 15 individuals.
- Others, like the Baigas of Madhya Pradesh, form relatively large communities, numbering over 4.1 lakh individuals.
Rationale for Separate Census Enumeration
- So far, PVTGs have been enumerated only under the broader Scheduled Tribe category, which has led to inadequate data.
- Separate enumeration will help in recording household-level and individual-level data for PVTGs.
- It will capture details about their livelihoods, demographic features, and cultural practices.
- It will ensure better targeting and effective implementation of schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN).
- It will also allow policymakers to assess whether the criteria used for identifying PVTGs remain relevant in present circumstances.
Challenges and Policy Implications
- The criteria for identifying PVTGs, such as geographical isolation, have been questioned and need to be revisited.
- Some communities may have improved socio-economic indicators, while others may have worsened, requiring reclassification.
- PVTGs continue to face land alienation, displacement, and lack of recognition of habitat rights.
- Separate enumeration alone will not solve their problems unless combined with participatory development strategies.
- A balance is needed between providing modern welfare benefits and preserving their cultural autonomy.
Conclusion
The identification of PVTGs reflects India’s recognition of inequalities within Scheduled Tribes and the need for targeted interventions. Separate enumeration in the Census will provide accurate demographic and socio-economic data, strengthening the foundation for welfare policies. However, enumeration must be combined with updated identification criteria, protection of habitat rights, and empowerment-oriented development. This approach will ensure that PVTGs benefit from inclusive growth while retaining their cultural distinctiveness.
Q 2. India’s recent maritime reforms need course correction. Critically examine the provisions of the new maritime legislative package, highlighting their strengths and shortcomings. (15 marks, 250 words)
Topic – Port-led development
Source: The Hindu
Introduction
India, with a 7,500 km coastline and 12 major ports, depends heavily on maritime trade for its economic growth. To modernise outdated laws such as the Indian Ports Act, 1908 and Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, Parliament has recently passed a comprehensive package of maritime reforms: the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, and Coastal Shipping Act, 2025. While these reforms aim to streamline regulation and align India with global practices, concerns have emerged over federal balance, ownership safeguards, and fair competition.
Body
- Features of the New Maritime Laws
- Concerns over Federal Balance
- Ownership and Regulatory Risks
- Implications for Smaller Players and Competition
- Governance and Dispute Resolution Challenges
Conclusion
India’s maritime reforms are a long-overdue step towards modernisation and global competitiveness. However, centralisation of authority, dilution of ownership safeguards, and burdens on small operators highlight the need for course correction. Reforms should balance federal autonomy, fair competition, and judicial independence, ensuring that maritime growth is inclusive, sustainable, and secure. In the long run, India’s maritime power will depend not only on updated laws but also on cooperative federalism and equitable governance.
UPSC Syllabus
Port-led development
Why was this question asked?
Q. Examine the developments of Airports in India through Joint Ventures under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard. (2017)
Introduction
India, with a 7,500 km coastline and 12 major ports, depends heavily on maritime trade for its economic growth. To modernise outdated laws such as the Indian Ports Act, 1908 and Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, Parliament has recently passed a comprehensive package of maritime reforms: the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, and Coastal Shipping Act, 2025. While these reforms aim to streamline regulation and align India with global practices, concerns have emerged over federal balance, ownership safeguards, and fair competition.
Body
Features of the New Maritime Laws
- The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 modernises port governance and promotes sustainable port development.
- The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 expands vessel definitions to include offshore drilling units and non-displacement crafts, strengthening oversight of maritime training and safety standards.
- Liability and insurance provisions are aligned with international conventions, boosting investor confidence.
- The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025 seeks to protect cabotage rights by reserving domestic coastal trade for Indian-flagged vessels.
- Together, the package brings coherence to India’s fragmented maritime regulatory framework.
Concerns over Federal Balance
- The Maritime State Development Council, chaired by the Union Minister, can direct States to align port development with central schemes like Sagarmala and PM Gati Shakti.
- State maritime boards cannot adjust their own frameworks without central approval, undermining fiscal autonomy.
- Critics argue this reflects federal subordination rather than cooperative federalism, marginalising coastal States that bear primary responsibility for port management.
Ownership and Regulatory Risks
- The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 dilutes ownership safeguards by permitting partial ownership by foreign entities and Overseas Citizens of India, with thresholds left to executive discretion.
- This could open the door to flags of convenience, where foreign operators control Indian-flagged ships.
- Bareboat Charter-Cum-Demise (BBCD) leasing, though globally accepted, risks misuse if transfers are not properly enforced.
- Mandatory registration of all vessels, regardless of size, imposes bureaucratic burdens on small operators.
Implications for Smaller Players and Competition
- The Coastal Shipping Act gives the Director General of Shipping wide discretion to license foreign vessels under vague grounds such as “national security” or “strategic alignment.”
- This may create uncertainty and scope for arbitrary approvals, disadvantaging small domestic operators.
- Fishing communities and small coastal traders face compliance burdens with mandatory voyage and cargo reporting, without clarity on data usage or protection.
- Such provisions may deliver ease of doing business for large corporates while sidelining smaller players.
Governance and Dispute Resolution Challenges
- Clause 17 of the Ports Bill bars civil courts from hearing port-related disputes, shifting them to internal committees controlled by port authorities.
- This denies stakeholders access to independent judicial review, raising concerns about fairness and transparency.
- The absence of political consensus, given that the Bills were passed without referral to a standing committee, weakens the legitimacy of reforms.
Conclusion
India’s maritime reforms are a long-overdue step towards modernisation and global competitiveness. However, centralisation of authority, dilution of ownership safeguards, and burdens on small operators highlight the need for course correction. Reforms should balance federal autonomy, fair competition, and judicial independence, ensuring that maritime growth is inclusive, sustainable, and secure. In the long run, India’s maritime power will depend not only on updated laws but also on cooperative federalism and equitable governance.