INCLUSION OF THE BADAGA COMMUNITY IN THE ST LIST

**Executive Summary** This document, posted on February 11, 2026, details the process and status of a proposal to include the Badaga community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list in Tamil Nadu. It outlines the modalities for such inclusions and mentions that the High Court dismissed a writ petition seeking to compel the State Government to submit a revised proposal after the RGI did not support it. The matter was taken up in Rajya Sabha by the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Modalities for ST Inclusion:** * The Government of India laid down modalities for deciding claims for inclusion in, exclusion from, and other modifications in Orders specifying Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists. These modalities were initially established on 15.6.1999 and amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022. * Proposals must be recommended and justified with an ethnographic report by the concerned State Government/UT Administration. * Proposals must be concurred with by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). * Actions on proposals are taken as per approved modalities. * **Badaga Community ST Inclusion Proposal:** * The State Government of Tamil Nadu sent a proposal dated 28.01.2021 for the inclusion of the 'Badaga' community in the ST list, along with an ethnographic report. * The proposal was forwarded to the RGI for examination. * The RGI, via letter dated 08.06.2022, did not support the proposal. * The comments from ORGI were referred to State Government to request justifications/additional information as of 13.06.2023. * **Writ Petition and High Court Order:** * Writ Petition No. 16450/2024 was filed in the High Court of Judicature at Madras, seeking to direct the State Government of Tamil Nadu to send a proposal/justification to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the inclusion of the "Badaga" community in the ST list of Tamil Nadu. * The High Court, via Order dated 11.03.2025, observed that the State Government has accepted the decision of the RGI. * The High Court dismissed the Petition, stating it cannot compel the State Government to submit a revised proposal. **Impact Analysis** * **State Government of Tamil Nadu** * **Impact:** The State Government's initial proposal for inclusion was not supported by the RGI. The High Court has ruled that it cannot be compelled to submit a revised proposal. * **Action Required:** No immediate action is required. The State Government has accepted the decision of the RGI, but it can submit a revised proposal at its discretion. * **Badaga Community** * **Impact:** The Badaga community's potential inclusion in the ST list has stalled, as the RGI did not support the initial proposal, and the High Court has dismissed the petition to compel a revised proposal. * **Action Required:** The community may need to work with the State Government to address the concerns raised by the RGI and develop a stronger case for inclusion. * **Ministry of Tribal Affairs** * **Impact:** The Ministry is the central agency responsible for reviewing proposals for ST inclusion, but the High Court has determined that it cannot compel the State Government of Tamil Nadu to send additional information. * **Action Required:** No action required, follow due process of the approved modalities when information is received.

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