Sahariya Tribe & PM-JANMAN

• 14 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

The Sahariya community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), in a remote area of Rajasthan’s Baran district has received electricity for the first time in 78 years.  

• This development aligns with the PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) initiative, which focuses on improving the socio-economic conditions of tribal groups.

Key Points

• Sahariya Tribe: 
  • About:  
    • The Sahariya tribe is one of the 12 notified tribes in Rajasthan and is classified as a PVTG. 
    • The Sahariyas are considered a sub-branch of the Kolariyan family and Bheels. Sahariya community is also called by the names Seher, Sair, Savar, Saonar, Sahra etc. 
      • Around 7% of India’s tribal population lives in Rajasthan. 
  • Demographic Status: 
    • According to the 2011 Census, the Sahariyas are the fourth-largest tribal community in Rajasthan, following the Meena, Bhil, and Garasia communities. 
      • In Rajasthan, the Baran district, especially the Kishanganj and Shahbad tehsils, hosts the core Sahariya population. 
      • Sahariyas also reside in Morena, Shivpuri, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Vidisha, and Guna districts of Madhya Pradesh. 
  • Traditional Practices & Skils: 
    • Sahariya is also very fond of hunting and fishing. Along with the knowledge of herbs, Sahariyas are also very skilled in collecting honey from beehives.  
    • Apart from this, making baskets, ropes, brooms, cutting wood from the forest etc. are some other traditional works. 
• PM-JANMAN Scheme: 
  • PM-JANMAN, launched on 15th November 2023, on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, focuses on 11 critical interventions through 9 ministries to improve the socio-economic welfare of PVTGs. 
  • PM-JANMAN comprises Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to improve the socio-economic conditions of PVTGs. 
  • The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 24,104 crore to be spent over a three-year period, of which nearly 80% is only for the construction of houses and roads. 
    • An allocation of Rs 15,000 crore has been made under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) to implement the housing component of PM-JANMAN. 

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) 

• A PVTG is a sub-classification of a Scheduled Tribe or section of a Scheduled Tribe that is considered more vulnerable than a regular Scheduled Tribe. The Indian Government created the PVTG list to improve their living. 
  • There are 75 PVTGs in India, the maximum 13 are in Odisha, followed by 12 in Andhra Pradesh. 
• Article 342(1): The President with respect to any State/UT (after consultation with the Governor in case of state) may specify the tribes/tribal communities/part of or groups within tribes/ tribal communities as a Scheduled Tribe in that State/UT. 
  • Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of STs specified in a notification issued under article 342(1) any tribe or tribal community or part of or group within any tribe or tribal community, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification. 
• Initiatives Related to the Welfare of PVTGs: 
  • Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. 
  • Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. 
  • PM PVTG Mission.