Indian Tribes, Constitution and Governance

25-26 March 2025 | Venue: Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi

CONCEPT NOTE
India is home to immerse cultural and ethnic diversity, reflected in the presence of over 700 tribal communities that have coexisted with nature for generations. As per the 2011 Census, 705 ethnic groups are recognized as Scheduled Tribes under Article 366(25), with the President empowered under Article 342 to specify these tribes across different states. Constituting 8.6% of India’s total population, these communities have historically played a crucial role in the country’s independence struggle while preserving their rich traditions and knowledge systems. Tribal life is intrinsically linked with natural resources, encapsulated in the slogan “Jal, Jangal, Jameen” (Water, Forest, Land), making them vital stakeholders in India’s ecological and cultural sustainability. However, despite constitutional safeguards and progressive legal frameworks, tribal communities continue to face challenges to their history, identity, and existence due to land alienation, displacement, and socio-economic marginalization. This conference attempted to critically engage with constitutional, legal, social, and policy dimensions related to tribal rights in India. It sought to provide an interdisciplinary platform to examine the gaps between legal frameworks and ground realities, ensuring a holistic understanding of the tribal experience in contemporary India.

Key Themes
o Tribal Autonomy and Governance: 5th & 6th Schedules
o Constitutional Provisions for Tribal Welfare
o PESA and Decentralized Tribal Self-Governance
o Forest Rights and Land Ownership in Tribal Communities
o Legal Systems: Tribal Customary Laws and State Governance
o Landmark Judicial Decisions on Tribal Welfare and Rights
o Representation of Tribal Identity in Media
o Political Participation and Representation
o Tribal Identity and Ethnicity
o Tribal Struggles: Resistance and Challenges
o Tribal Communities and Globalisation
o Issues and Challenges in Tribal Development
o Reframing Tribal Autonomy: Policy and Future Directions

Poster | Schedule | Book of Abstracts