Assam’s Three-Tier Classification of STs | 02 Dec 2025

Source: ET 

Why in News?  

Assam is facing unrest after a Group of Ministers (GoM) proposed a new three-tier Scheduled Tribes (ST) classification to grant ST status to six communities. While the move has satisfied the applicant groups, it has triggered strong opposition from existing tribals, sparking protests across the state. 

What did Assam’s GoM Recommend on ST Classification? 

  • The GoM proposed a three-tier ST structure: 
    • ST (Plains): Continues for existing tribal communities in the plains. 
    • ST (Hills): Remains unchanged for existing hill tribes. 
    • ST (Valley): Newly suggested category for the six communities demanding ST status: Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes/Adivasis. 
    • The GoM said this structure would let the state reorganise reservations without reducing the existing entitlements of ST (Plains) and ST (Hills). 
      • Separate quotas would apply for state jobs and education, but all groups would share a single ST list for central services. 
    • Notes that Parliament must pass special legislation for statutory approval of the three-tier classification. 

How are Scheduled Tribes Notified in India? 

  • Article 366(25): “Scheduled Tribes” refers to the tribes or tribal groups that are recognised as STs under Article 342. 
  • Article 342: The President can notify which tribes or tribal groups are recognised as Scheduled Tribes for each State or Union Territory, after consulting the Governor. 
    • Any later inclusion or removal from this ST list can be done only by Parliament through legislation, not by executive notification. 
  • ST Categorization: The term “Scheduled Tribes” appears in the Constitution, but it does not lay down criteria for identifying them.  
    • The government set up the Lokur Committee in 1956, which defined a tribe using criteria such as primitive traits, a distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the wider community, and social and economic backwardness. 
    • Before independence, the 1931 Census described such groups as “backward tribes” living in excluded or partially excluded areas.  
    • In State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2024), the Supreme Court upheld the validity of sub-classifying SCs and STs and allowed states to create sub-groups to ensure fair distribution of benefits. 
  • Reservation in Services/ Posts: 
    • Article 16(4): Permits reservations for backward classes who are inadequately represented in state services. 
    • Article 46: The State must promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections, especially SCs and STs, and protect them from social injustice and exploitation. 
    • Article 335: The claims of SCs and STs must be considered in appointments to Union or State services, while maintaining administrative efficiency. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Who notifies Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution? 
The President notifies STs for each State/UT after consulting the Governor (Article 342); additions/removals can be made only by Parliament through law.

Q. Does the Constitution define criteria for identifying Scheduled Tribes?
No — the Constitution names STs but does not define criteria; the Lokur Committee (1956) recommended criteria like primitive traits, distinct culture, geographic isolation and backwardness.

Q. Can states sub-classify SCs/STs for reservations?
Following State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2024), the Supreme Court upheld sub-classification and permitted states to create sub-groups to ensure equitable benefit distribution, subject to law and constitutional limits.

Summary 

  • Assam’s GoM has proposed a three-tier ST structure — ST (Plains), ST (Hills) and a new ST (Valley) — to include six additional communities. 
    • The proposal aims to reorganise state-level reservations while keeping existing ST quotas intact. 
  • Articles 342 and 366(25) outline how STs are notified: the President specifies them after consulting the Governor, and only Parliament can later add or remove groups. 
  • Articles 15(4), 16(4), 46 and 335 together empower reservation, welfare measures, and protection of SCs/STs while ensuring administrative efficiency. 
  • The Constitution does not define criteria for identifying STs. The Lokur Committee (1956) proposed criteria such as primitive traits, distinct culture, geographic isolation, shyness of contact and backwardness. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question: 

Prelims

Q.1 Consider the following pairs: (2013)   

Tribe           State   

  1. Limboo (Limbu) -  Sikkim  
  2. Karbi  - Himachal Pradesh  
  3. Dongaria Kondh  - Odisha  
  4. Bonda  - Tamil Nadu  

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?   

(a) 1 and 3 only   

(b) 2 and 4 only   

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only   

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4   

Ans: (a)  

Q.2 Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019)   

  1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.   
  2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.   
  3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.   
  4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.   

Which of the statements given above are correct?   

(a) 1, 2 and 3   

(b) 2, 3 and 4   

(c) 1, 2 and 4   

(d) 1, 3 and 4   

Ans: (c)  

Q3. Consider the following organizations/bodies in India: (2023) 

  1. The National Commission for Backward Classes 
  2. The National Human Rights Commission 
  3. The National Law Commission 
  4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission 

How many of the above constitutional bodies? 

(a) Only one 
(b) Only two 
(c) Only three 
(d) All four 

Ans: (a)