Parliament Question: Community Certificates for DNTs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1452 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2026 COMMUNITY CERTIFICATES FOR DNTs 1452. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN: Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that Denotified, Nomadic and semi-notified Tribes (DNTs) communities across the country had repeatedly raised the issue of community certificates not being provided during the last few years, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is also true that in the absence of community certificates to DNTs they were not able to claim benefits targeted at them, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether it is also true that there are more than 300 DNTs that are yet to be classified across the country, if so, the details thereof; (d) whether it is also a fact that even now only seven States are issuing DNT community certificates, if so, the details thereof; and (e) is it true that the support from States in this regard is awaited despite letters and advisories issued, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L. VERMA) (a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has, from time to time, issued instructions to the States/UTs to streamline and expedite the issuance of such certificates. Most members of the De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes listed in the report of the National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT), Idate Commission, are included in the SC, ST or OBC categories and therefore, are eligible to avail benefits under welfare schemes targeted at these communities. However, in the absence of DNT community certificates, eligible persons are often unable to avail benefits of schemes specifically meant for DNT communities.(c): As per the Annexure-II of Idate Commission Report, there are 267 DNTs/NTs/SNTs communities that are yet to be classified across the country. (d) to (e): Yes, Sir. As per the information available, only seven States, namely Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Gujarat, are issuing DNT community certificates. Recently, the Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have issued notifications recognizing DNT communities in their respective state. The remaining States/UTs have been requested to issue DNT community certificates to eligible persons in a time-bound manner after due verification of credentials, so that eligible beneficiaries may avail the benefits of welfare schemes of the State Governments and the Government of India. ae OK 6 2k