Description

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Context

Ahead of India's 16th Census, experts have claimed that counting the six major indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including the Jarawa, is doable.

About Jarawas

Location	Middle and South Andaman Islands, India
Official Status	Classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the Government of India
Population Growth	Increased from 260 (in 1998) to around 647 (in 2025) due to better healthcare and limited external interference
First Contact	Voluntary contact with outsiders began in 1997, allowing limited medical aid, schooling, and trade

Origin of Jarawas

The Jarawas are thought to be the descendants of the extinct Jangil tribe.
Some theories relate their ancestry to the first wave of human migration out of Africa, placing them among the first human inhabitants in Asia.
They survived British occupation (from 1789) and World War II, despite a severe population decrease.

Lifestyle of Jarawas

Lifestyle: They are hunter-gatherers and fishermen who travel in nomadic groups of 40-50 people.
Ancestry: Considered to be ancestors of the extinct Jangil tribe and among the first human migrants from Africa.
Health Profile: They have good physical health and a low prevalence of lifestyle disorders such as diabetes and hypertension.
Longevity: Natural childbirth is popular, and the average longevity has surpassed 50 years.

Source: The Hindu

Practice Question:

Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:

PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Options:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4

Explanation:

Statement 1 – Correct: PVTGs are spread across 18 States and 1 Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
Statement 2 – Correct: Criteria for identifying PVTGs include stagnant or declining population, pre-agricultural level of technology, and low literacy rates.
Statement 3 – Incorrect: There are 75 PVTGs officially notified by the Government of India, not 95.
Statement 4 – Correct: Both Irular (Tamil Nadu) and Konda Reddi (Andhra Pradesh) are recognized PVTGs.