In which one of the following States/UTs is Jarawa tribe found?

1. Scheduled Tribes: Constitutional and Legal Framework (basic)

In the study of Indian cultural geography, the term Scheduled Tribe (ST) is not merely a sociological label but a specific constitutional status. Under Article 366(25), Scheduled Tribes are defined as those communities that are scheduled in accordance with Article 342. The process is unique: the President, after consultation with the Governor of a State, publicizes the initial list of tribes. However, any subsequent inclusion or exclusion from this list can only be done through an Act of Parliament. This ensures that the identity and protection of these groups are anchored in the highest law of the land.

The Constitution provides a multi-layered protective framework to preserve the distinct culture of these groups while ensuring their socio-political inclusion. For instance, Article 243D and Article 243T mandate the reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in Panchayats and Municipalities, respectively, in proportion to their population Introduction to the Constitution of India, MUNICIPALITIES AND PLANNING COMMITTEES, p.324. Beyond local governance, the Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide for the administration of "Scheduled Areas" and "Tribal Areas," allowing for a degree of autonomy to protect indigenous customs and land rights from external encroachment.

To monitor these safeguards, the State has established robust institutional mechanisms. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), a constitutional body under Article 338A, is tasked with overseeing the implementation of welfare programs. Its reports are scrutinized by a specialized Parliamentary Committee consisting of 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha), which examines all matters relating to tribal welfare and statutory safeguards Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.278. Within this broad category, the government also identifies Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)—like the Jarawas of the Andaman Islands—who require even more stringent protection due to their declining population and extreme isolation Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.26.

Sources: Introduction to the Constitution of India, MUNICIPALITIES AND PLANNING COMMITTEES, p.324; Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.278; Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.26

2. Major Tribal Belts and Racial Classification (basic)

To understand the cultural geography of India, we must first look at the racial mosaic of its indigenous people. India is often described as an 'ethnological museum' because different waves of migration over millennia have left behind distinct physical and cultural markers. In anthropological terms, the tribal population is primarily classified into three major racial groups: Negritos, Proto-Australoids, and Mongoloids. The Negritos are considered the earliest inhabitants, characterized by short stature and curly hair; today, they are mostly confined to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including tribes like the Jarawas and Sentinelese Majid Husain, Geography of India, Chapter 13, p.26. Following them were the Proto-Australoids, who form the backbone of the tribes in Central India, such as the Santhals, Bhils, and Mundas. They typically exhibit dark brown skin, broad noses, and wavy hair Majid Husain, Geography of India, Chapter 2, p.10.

Geographically, these groups are distributed across three primary Tribal Belts. The most significant is the Central Tribal Belt, stretching from Gujarat and Rajasthan in the west through Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. This region contains the highest concentration of India's tribal population and was a major center for tribal resistance during the colonial era Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, People’s Resistance Against British Before 1857, p.155. The second major zone is the North-Eastern Region (NER), where tribes like the Nagas, Mizos, and Khasis belong to the Mongoloid race (specifically the Palaeo-Mongoloid and Tibeto-Mongoloid sub-groups) Majid Husain, Geography of India, Chapter 2, p.11. Unlike Central India, tribes in the NER often form the majority population within their states, leading to unique political structures and the eventual creation of states like Meghalaya and Mizoram to protect their identity NCERT, Politics in India since Independence, Chapter 7, p.127.

The third zone consists of the Southern and Island Belts. This includes the tribes of the Western Ghats (like the Chenchus and Kurumbas) and the highly isolated communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While the Nicobarese and Shompen are found in the Nicobar group, the Jarawa, Onge, and Sentinelese inhabit the Andaman group Majid Husain, Geography of India, Chapter 2, p.68. Understanding these belts is crucial because the socio-economic challenges, such as land alienation in the Central Belt versus political autonomy in the North-East, differ significantly based on their geography and history.

Racial Group	Physical Traits	Representative Tribes
Negrito	Short stature, black skin, frizzy hair.	Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese.
Proto-Australoid	Dark brown skin, broad nose, wavy hair.	Bhil, Santhal, Munda, Chenchu.
Mongoloid	Light brown skin, oblique eyes, scanty body hair.	Naga, Chakma, Lepcha, Garo.

Sources: Geography of India (Majid Husain, 9th ed.), Cultural Setting, p.26; Geography of India (Majid Husain, 9th ed.), Physiography, p.10; Geography of India (Majid Husain, 9th ed.), Physiography, p.11; Geography of India (Majid Husain, 9th ed.), Physiography, p.68; A Brief History of Modern India (Rajiv Ahir, Spectrum), People’s Resistance Against British Before 1857, p.155; Politics in India since Independence (NCERT), Regional Aspirations, p.127

3. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) (intermediate)

While the Constitution of India provides various safeguards for Scheduled Tribes (STs), not all tribal communities have progressed at the same rate. To address the needs of those who are most vulnerable even among the STs, the government created a sub-category known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). This concept originated from the Dhebar Commission (1960–61), which identified that some tribes were significantly more backward than others and required a specialized focus for their development and protection Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Scheduled and Tribal Areas, p.416.

To be classified as a PVTG, a community must generally satisfy four specific criteria. These groups are often characterized by a pre-agricultural level of technology (relying on hunting and gathering), a stagnant or declining population, extremely low literacy levels, and a subsistence level of economy. Currently, there are 75 identified PVTGs across 18 States and one Union Territory, with Odisha hosting the largest number of such groups.

A prime example of the geographic concentration of PVTGs is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Of the six indigenous communities there, five are recognized as PVTGs. These groups are divided by their ethnic roots and location within the archipelago:

Region	Tribe (PVTG Status)	Ethnic Origin
Andaman Islands	Jarawa, Great Andamanese, Onge, Sentinelese	Negrito
Nicobar Islands	Shompen	Mongoloid

The Jarawa tribe is one of the most well-known PVTGs, primarily located on the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman Islands Geography of India, Majid Husain, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, p.26. Living as hunter-gatherers in relative isolation, their language belongs to the Ongan family. It is important to note that while the Nicobarese are a recognized Scheduled Tribe, they are not classified as a PVTG because they have shown greater social and economic integration compared to groups like the Sentinelese or Jarawa Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.68.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Scheduled and Tribal Areas, p.416; Geography of India, Majid Husain, Cultural Setting, p.26; Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.68

4. Tribal Administration: Fifth and Sixth Schedules (intermediate)

Concept: Tribal Administration: Fifth and Sixth Schedules

5. Tribal Geography of North-East India (intermediate)

The North-Eastern Region (NER) of India, often referred to as the 'Seven Sisters' plus Sikkim, represents one of the most ethnically diverse landscapes in the world. From a geographic perspective, the tribal population here isn't just a demographic statistic; it is the very fabric of the region's identity. Unlike the tribal belts of Central India, the tribes of the North-East belong predominantly to the Mongoloid racial stock and have historically maintained a distinct cultural autonomy due to the rugged, hilly terrain that limited external contact for centuries Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.22.

To master this geography, we can categorize the tribes by their state strongholds:

• Arunachal Pradesh: Home to the Apatani (known for unique wet-rice cultivation), Dafla (Nyishi), and Mishmi Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.25.
• Nagaland: A mosaic of warrior tribes including the Ao, Angami, Konyak (known for their former headhunting traditions), and Sema.
• Meghalaya: Dominated by the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia tribes. This region is geographically unique as it features a matrilineal society, where lineage and inheritance trace through the mother.
• Assam: Includes the Bodo and Mikir (Karbi). Assam is also a site of significant socio-political movements, with groups like the Bodos and Ahoms seeking greater administrative autonomy or separate statehood Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.18.

From a governance standpoint, the Indian Constitution recognizes the unique geographic and cultural isolation of these groups through the Sixth Schedule. This creates Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), which allow tribes to manage their own land, forests, and local customs. For example, the Bodoland Territorial Areas District in Assam and the Chakma and Mara Districts in Mizoram are products of this geographic-political arrangement Indian Polity, Scheduled and Tribal Areas, p.417.

Sources: Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.22, 25; Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.18; Indian Polity, Scheduled and Tribal Areas, p.417

6. Demographics of India's Island Territories (intermediate)

When we look at India's island territories, we see two distinct demographic stories. On one hand, Lakshadweep represents a highly homogenous population, boasting the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in India at 98.8% Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.16. On the other hand, the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands present a complex mosaic of indigenous tribes and a significant migrant population. While Lakshadweep is primarily of coral origin with a population closely tied to mainland Kerala in terms of language (Malayalam) and culture, the A&N Islands are home to some of the world's most ancient and isolated ethnic groups.

The indigenous inhabitants of the A&N Islands are divided into two distinct ethnic origins: the Negrito tribes of the Andamans and the Mongoloid tribes of the Nicobars. There are six recognized indigenous communities in total. The population of these tribes is unfortunately dwindling, largely surpassed by migrants from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Tamil settlers from Sri Lanka Geography of India, Physiography, p.68. To protect these vulnerable communities and the fragile ecology, the Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification was established to ensure livelihood security for both the tribals and local fishing communities Environment, Aquatic Ecosystem, p.59.

Island Group	Indigenous Tribes	Ethnic Stock
Andaman Group	Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese	Negrito
Nicobar Group	Nicobarese, Shompen	Mongoloid

Among these, the Jarawa are particularly notable. Located on the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman, they are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Historically isolated hunter-gatherers, their population was recorded at only about 429 in 2016. Similarly, the Sentinelese remain one of the most isolated groups in the world, residing on North Sentinel Island and resisting almost all contact with the outside world.

Sources: Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.16; Geography of India, Physiography, p.68; Environment, Aquatic Ecosystem, p.59

7. Indigenous Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar (exam-level)

The indigenous populations of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among the most geographically isolated and anthropologically significant communities in the world. From a cultural geography perspective, these tribes are broadly classified into two distinct racial groups based on their ancestry: the Negritoes (who inhabit the Andaman Islands) and the Mongoloids (who inhabit the Nicobar Islands). The Negrito groups—comprising the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese—are characterized by short stature, frizzy hair, and dark skin, and are believed to have migrated from the Malay Peninsula in ancient times Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.10. In contrast, the Nicobarese and Shompen belong to the Mongoloid race, showing physical affinities with Southeast Asian populations, such as yellowish skin and oblique eyes Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.11. Among these, the Jarawa are particularly noteworthy. Residing primarily on the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman, they were historically hostile to outsiders but have increasingly come into contact with the mainstream. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). While many indigenous populations face decline, the Jarawa population showed a resilient increase from 266 in 2001 to 429 in 2016 Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.26. Despite this, they remain one of the most endangered tribes globally due to their small numbers and the threats posed by external diseases and cultural encroachment.

The following table distinguishes the two primary groups within the archipelago:

Feature	Andaman Group Tribes	Nicobar Group Tribes
Racial Stock	Negrito (resembling Semangs of Malaysia)	Mongoloid (resembling Southeast Asians)
Key Tribes	Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese	Nicobarese, Shompen
Stature	Short stature, bulbous forehead, frizzy hair	Medium stature, scanty body hair, oblique eyes

Sources: Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.10; Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.11; Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.26

8. The Jarawa: Location, Language, and Lifestyle (exam-level)

The Jarawa are one of the most enigmatic and ancient indigenous communities in the world, belonging to the Negrito racial stock. Within the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, they are one of the six distinct indigenous tribes, alongside the Great Andamanese, Onges, Sentinelese, Nicobarese, and Shompen. Geographically, the Jarawa are primarily found on the western coasts of the South and Middle Andaman Islands Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.68. It is crucial for your geography preparation to distinguish between the tribes of the Andaman group (Negrito) and those of the Nicobar group (Mongoloid, like the Shompen and Nicobarese). Historically, the Jarawa lived in complete isolation as hunter-gatherers, relying on the forest for honey, wild boar, and fruits, and the sea for fish and mollusks. Recognizing their extreme vulnerability to external diseases and cultural encroachment, the Government of India has classified them as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). While many tribal populations in the islands have dwindled, the Jarawa population has shown a resilient, albeit small, increase—growing from approximately 266 in 2001 to 429 in 2016 Majid Husain, Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.26. Linguistically, the Jarawa speak a language belonging to the Ongan family, which is shared with the Onge tribe. Their lifestyle is currently at a crossroads due to the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), which cuts through their ancestral reserve. This road has introduced the 'outside world' to their territory, leading to debates regarding 'isolation vs. integration'—a common theme in UPSC GS Paper I and II. Unlike the Sentinelese, who remain hostile to contact, the Jarawa have had increasing, though often controversial, interactions with settlers and tourists.

Feature	Jarawa Tribe Details
Race	Negrito
Location	South and Middle Andaman (Western Coast)
Language Family	Ongan
Legal Status	PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group)

Sources: Geography of India, Physiography, p.68; Geography of India, Cultural Setting, p.26

9. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

This question brings together your understanding of human geography and the spatial distribution of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India. You’ve recently studied how India’s tribal population is categorized by racial stock; the Jarawa belong to the Negrito race, a group that is almost exclusively found in the isolated archipelagos of the Bay of Bengal rather than the mainland. Recognizing this racial link is the primary building block for identifying their specific location.

To arrive at (A) Andaman & Nicobar Islands, recall the "Big Six" indigenous communities of this Union Territory. While the Nicobarese and Shompen inhabit the Nicobar group, the Jarawa, along with the Sentinelese and Onges, are native to the Andaman group. Think of their geographical isolation: they have historically lived as hunter-gatherers on the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman. As noted in Geography of India by Majid Husain, they remain one of the most protected and endangered groups globally, and their language belongs to the unique Ongan family, which sets them apart from mainland linguistic groups.

UPSC often uses geographical distractors to test your precision. Arunachal Pradesh (B) and Tripura (D) are home to tribes of Mongoloid descent, such as the Nyishi or the Reang, who have entirely different cultural and linguistic roots. Similarly, Lakshadweep (C), while an island territory, does not host the ancient Negrito hunter-gatherer lineages found in the Andamans. Always differentiate between the Negrito tribes of the Andamans and the Mongoloid tribes of the Northeast or the Nicobar chain to avoid these common traps.