In this guide
In the deep valley of Patalkot, in Chhindwara district, live small communities of the Bharia tribe, in villages so enclosed by cliffs that, for generations, they had little contact with the outside world. At the other end of the state, in the hills of Jhabua and Alirajpur, the Bhils celebrate Bhagoria before Holi with drums and dancing. In the forests of Mandla and Dindori, the Baiga practise their traditional knowledge of plants. These are only a few of the many tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh — the state with the largest tribal population in India. For MPPSC, tribes are central to history, culture, geography, polity and economy.
How many, and where
| Indicator (Census 2011) | Madhya Pradesh |
|---|---|
| ST population | About 1.53 crore — the largest of any state |
| Share of state population | About 21.1% |
| Share of India's ST population | About 14.7% |
Distribution — tribal populations are concentrated in:
- the west — Jhabua, Alirajpur, Barwani, Dhar, Khargone, Ratlam (mainly Bhil and Bhilala);
- the centre and east — Mandla, Dindori, Balaghat, Seoni, Chhindwara, Betul, Shahdol, Anuppur, Umaria (mainly Gond, Baiga, Korku);
- the north — Sheopur, Shivpuri, Guna (Sahariya).
Alirajpur and Jhabua have among the highest ST shares of any district in India.
Major tribes
| Tribe | Region | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bhil (including Bhilala) | West (Jhabua, Alirajpur, Dhar, Barwani, Ratlam) | The largest tribe in MP; famous for Bhagoria, Pithora painting, archery; Bhil art (Bhuri Bai) |
| Gond | Centre and east (Mandla, Dindori, Balaghat, Seoni, Chhindwara, Betul) | The second-largest; ruled kingdoms (Garha-Mandla); Gond painting; Karma and Saila dances |
| Korku | Betul, Khandwa, Harda (Satpura region) | Munda-language speakers; agriculture; associated with the Jungle Satyagraha (Ganjan Singh Korku) |
| Baiga | Mandla, Dindori, Balaghat | A PVTG; traditional healers with deep knowledge of forests; distinctive tattooing (godna); traditionally practised shifting cultivation (bewar) |
| Sahariya | Sheopur, Shivpuri, Guna, Morena, Gwalior | A PVTG; forest-dependent; high levels of poverty and malnutrition |
| Bharia | Patalkot valley (Chhindwara) | A PVTG (Bharias of Patalkot) |
| Kol | Rewa, Satna, Sidhi (Baghelkhand) | Agriculture and labour |
Culture
| Aspect | Examples |
|---|---|
| Festivals | Bhagoria (Bhil), Karma (Gond, Baiga), Madai fairs |
| Art | Gond painting (Jangarh Singh Shyam), Bhil art (Bhuri Bai), Pithora wall paintings |
| Music and dance | Karma, Saila, Bhagoria dances; drums and flutes |
| Knowledge | Traditional medicine and forest knowledge (especially Baiga) |
| Crafts | Bamboo work, metal craft, beadwork |
Laws and rights
| Instrument | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Fifth Schedule | Large parts of MP are Scheduled Areas, with special role for the Governor and a Tribes Advisory Council |
| PESA Act, 1996 | Powers for gram sabhas in Scheduled Areas; MP notified its PESA rules on 15 November 2022 |
| Forest Rights Act, 2006 | Individual and community forest rights |
| SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 | Protection from discrimination and violence |
Development challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Poverty and malnutrition | Especially among PVTGs such as the Sahariya |
| Education | Low literacy in some groups, especially women |
| Health | Anaemia, sickle cell disease, malaria |
| Land and forests | Land alienation; displacement by dams and mines; forest rights claims |
| Migration | Seasonal migration to Gujarat and elsewhere for work |
| Cultural erosion | Pressures on languages and traditions |
Policies and institutions
- Tribal Affairs Department and Tribal Research and Development Institute, Bhopal.
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools and ashram schools.
- Special programmes for PVTGs, including nutrition support (for example, monthly assistance to women of PVTG households under a state scheme) and the national PM-JANMAN mission (2023) for PVTG habitations.
- The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched from Shahdol in 2023.
- Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (15 November) celebrations.
Practice
Prelims-style:
- What share of MP's population was Scheduled Tribe in 2011?
- Which is the largest tribe in MP?
- Name MP's three PVTGs.
- Where is Patalkot, and which tribe lives there?
- When did MP notify its PESA rules?
Mains-style (short): Why are the Baiga classified as a PVTG?
Mains-style (long): Discuss the challenges of tribal development in Madhya Pradesh and suggest measures.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission website .
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