Enumeration of Denotified Tribes in Census 2027
For the first time since 1911, denotified tribes will be included in the Census of India 2027. This significant step is initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, recommending their inclusion to the Registrar General of India for the Census exercise set to begin in 2026.
Background of Denotified Tribes
- Denotified tribes, during British rule, were listed under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, labeled as being “addicted to the systematic commission of non-bailable offences”.
- The Act was repealed in 1949 after India's Independence, leading to the “denotification” of these communities.
- The term has persisted as many communities have not been categorized as Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), or Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Challenges Faced by Denotified Tribes
- Lack of classification under any reservation category leads to exclusion from reservation benefits and government schemes.
- The last official enumeration was in the 1911 Census under “criminal tribes”.
Population Estimation and Current Initiatives
- The Renke Commission report of 2008 estimated their population to be roughly 10-12 crore.
- The Idate Commission, in 2017, identified over 1,200 communities as denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes.
Importance of Enumeration
The enumeration is crucial for denotified tribes to tap into reservation benefits in educational institutions and government jobs. Without enumeration, the government cannot effectively extend welfare benefits as the exact population remains unknown.
