Consider the following statements regarding the classification of Scheduled Tribes in India:

Statement I: The President, after consulting the Governor, may specify tribes as Scheduled Tribes for a State through a public notification.

Statement II: The Constitution explicitly defines the criteria for classifying a community as a Scheduled Tribe, including primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact, and backwardness.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

In News

• The classification criteria for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India are being reassessed, with discussions on shifting from the existing five-point framework to a more inclusive model based on a spectrum of tribalness rather than a rigid definition.

Key Points

• As per Article 342(1) of the Constitution, the President, after consulting the Governor, can issue a public notification specifying tribes as Scheduled Tribes (STs) for a particular State. 
• Only Parliament can amend this list through legislation.
• Hence, Statement I is correct.
• The Constitution does not explicitly define the criteria for identifying Scheduled Tribes.
• However, the Lokur Committee (1965) established five commonly used criteria:
  • Backwardness
  • Shyness of contact with the larger community
  • Geographical isolation
  • Distinctive culture
  • Indications of primitive traits
• These criteria are not mentioned in the Constitution but have been followed by the government in determining ST status.
• Hence, Statement II is incorrect.

Additional Information

• The government is considering new indicators such as kinship structures, language, rituals, and cultural materiality (e.g., traditional attire, weaponry, and social practices) for a more comprehensive assessment of tribal identity.
• A Task Force (2014) was formed to review and revise the existing criteria for ST classification.
• The process of inclusion in the ST list requires recommendations from:
  • State Government/UT Administration
  • Registrar General of India (RGI)
  • National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
  • Parliamentary approval