**Summary:**
This policy update from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, dated July 31, 2025, addresses the inclusion of specific ethnic communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. The Ministry, responding to a question in Lok Sabha, confirmed the receipt of recommendations from the Government of Assam for the inclusion of the Chutiya, KochRajbongshi, Matak, Moran, TaiAhom, and Tea Tribe communities.
The Government of India has established modalities (amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022, following the initial guidelines of 15.6.1999) for processing claims related to the inclusion, exclusion, and modification of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists. These modalities stipulate that proposals must be recommended and justified by the concerned State Government/UT Administration, and concurred with by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) before being considered for legislative amendment. The process does not allow for granting interim ST status.
The inclusion process involves examination by the Office of the RGI and then by the NCST. If the RGI does not recommend a proposal, the State Government receives feedback for additional information. Consequently, many proposals remain under examination at various stages.
Furthermore, in accordance with OM No. 932011I Pt.I, Dtd0401 2019 issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, the Government of Assam constituted a Committee of Group of Ministers to determine reservation quotas for the six communities, revise OBC reservation quotas after creating a new ST category in Assam, and ensure safeguards for the existing Scheduled Tribes of Assam. The committee was reconstituted on July 4, 2024 (No. E232949791) and March 1, 2025 (No.E.232949799).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
Scheduled Tribes: Officially recognized tribal communities in India, eligible for specific government benefits and protections.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Durgadas Uikey: The Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tribal Affairs.
Assam: A state in northeastern India, relevant due to its recommendation for inclusion of certain communities in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Chutiya, KochRajbongshi, Matak, Moran, TaiAhom and Tea Tribe communities: Ethnic communities in Assam recommended for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Registrar General of India RGI: An office under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It plays a role in the process of modifying Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes NCST: A constitutional body in India that advises the government on matters relating to the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Inclusion of Ethnic Communities in the Scheduled
Tribes List
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 4:53PM by PIB Delhi
In Lok Sabha, the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey replying today to an
un-starred question of Md. Rakibul Hussain and Shri Pradyut Bordoloi informed that the recommendation for
inclusion of Chutiya, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, Tai-Ahom and Tea Tribe communities has been
received from the State Government of Assam.
The Government of India on 15.6.1999 (further amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022) has laid down the
modalities for deciding the claims for inclusion in, exclusion from and other modifications in Orders
specifying Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists. As per the modalities, only those proposals which
have been recommended and justified by the concerned State Government / UT Administration and concurred
with by Registrar General of India (RGI) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) are to be
considered and legislation amended. All action on the proposals is taken as per these approved modalities.
There is no constitutional provision for granting interim ST status
The proposals for inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes of a State or Union Territory follow certain
processes as per the modalities. This is a continuous process. The proposals are examined by the
Office of the RGI and then by the NCST. In case the proposal is not recommended by the RGI, the
State Governments are communicated the points raised by the RGI, so that additional information, if
any, maybe furnished by the State Government. Many such proposals may therefore remain under
examination at different levels.
The Government of Assam has informed that “In pursuance of OM No. 9/3/2011-I (Pt.-I), Dtd-04-01-
2019 issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, a Committee of Group of Ministers was
constituted to determine quantum of reservation for six communities in the State, suggest revised
quantum of reservation for OBCs after creation of a new ST category in Assam and measures
ensuring full safeguard to protect the interests, rights and privileges of the existing Scheduled
Tribes of Assam. The erstwhile Committee held several rounds of discussions with representatives
and leaders of various communities as well as tribal groups. The same Committee has now been
reconstituted vide No. E232949/791 dated 04/07/2024 & No.E.232949/799 dated 01/03/2025.”
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RN
(Release ID: 2150795)