**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 76 regarding the status of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities of Assam. The question was posed by MD. Rakibul Hussain and is scheduled to be answered on January 29, 2026. The response from the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs outlines the process for considering such proposals and their current status.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Proposal Status:**
* The proposal for including Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes has been received from the State Government of Assam.
* **Modalities for Inclusion:**
* The Government of India established modalities on 15.6.1999 (amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022) for claims related to inclusion, exclusion, and modifications in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists.
* Proposals require recommendation and justification, including an ethnographic report from 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).
* **Process for Inclusion:**
* Inclusion proposals follow a defined process as per the established modalities.
* This process is continuous, involving examination by the RGI and then the NCST.
* If the RGI does not recommend a proposal, the State Government receives feedback for additional information.
* Proposals may remain under examination at different levels.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Six Communities of Assam (Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes)**
* **Impact:** Their long-pending demand for ST status is being addressed through an ongoing process. The outcome of this process directly affects their social, economic, and political standing.
* **Action Required:** Continue to furnish any additional information requested by the State Government, as needed.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Assam**
* **Impact:** The State Government is responsible for providing the initial proposal, ethnographic reports, and any additional information required by the RGI.
* **Action Required:** Respond to any feedback or queries from the RGI, furnish any additional information requested, and monitor the progress of the proposal.
**Stakeholder: Registrar General of India (RGI)**
* **Impact:** The RGI plays a crucial role in examining the proposal and providing recommendations.
* **Action Required:** Thoroughly examine the proposal, raise any concerns with the State Government, and provide a recommendation to the NCST.
**Stakeholder: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)**
* **Impact:** The NCST is responsible for considering the proposal after RGI's concurrence and recommending legislative changes.
* **Action Required:** Consider the proposal and recommendations from the RGI, and take necessary actions for legislative amendments.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: Indian government ministry responsible for tribal affairs, the addressee of the parliamentary question.
Six Communities of Assam: The communities seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Assam, the main subject of the question.
Registrar General of India (RGI): An authority whose concurrence is required for proposals regarding inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): An authority whose consideration is required for proposals regarding inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Assam: Indian state where the six communities are seeking ST status.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 76
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
ST STATUS TO SIX COMMUNITIES OF ASSAM
76. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any action in the last five years regarding the long-pending demand to
grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Six Communities of Assam;
(b) if so, the details of the proposals submitted by the State Government and their current status;
(c) whether any expert committee reports or ethnographic studies have been examined by the Government, if so,
the details thereof; and
(d) the reasons for the continued delay in taking a final decision on this matter despite repeated assurances to the
communities?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (d): The proposal for inclusion of Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes has
been received from the State Government of Assam.
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 these modalities, proposals are required to be recommended
and duly justified along with an ethnographic report by the concerned State Government / UT Administration.
Thereafter, the proposals are required to be concurred with by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to be considered and legislation amended. All action on the
proposals is taken as per these approved modalities
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.
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