Major Tribes in India, Check Types and Names

Major Tribes in India: A tribe is a social division in a traditional society consisting of families connected by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect.

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Tribes in India

A tribe is a social division in a traditional society consisting of families connected by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect. A tribe possesses certain qualities and characteristics that make it a unique cultural, social, and political entity. They are united by ties of descent from a common ancestor, a community of customs and traditions, adherence to the same leaders, etc

In India, Tribes are known as ‘Adivasis’ in India and The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the head ministry of scheduled tribes in India.

Major Tribes in India

Indian Constitution recognizes tribal communities in India under ‘Schedule 5’. Thus, the tribes recognized by the Constitution are known as ‘ Scheduled Tribes. There are approximately 645 distinct tribes in India. The total population of scheduled Tribes is around 100 million as per the Census 2011 which is around 8.6% of the whole population of the nation. The share of the Scheduled Tribe population in urban areas is 2.8%. For Scheduled Tribes, 47 seats are reserved in Lok Sabha.

On November 10, 2021, the Union Cabinet declared November 15 as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ marking the birth anniversary of the esteemed leader and saluting his contributions to India’s freedom movement.

State Wise List of Major Tribes

Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has the largest number of scheduled Tribes, and Orissa stands at the second position. There are no Scheduled Tribes in certain states like Punjab, Delhi, Chandigarh, Pondicherry, and Haryana.

Let’s look at the list of state-wise Major tribes of India provided below –

States	Tribes
Jammu and Kashmir	Gaddi, Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Sippi, Bakarwal, Balti.
Himachal Pradesh	Gaddis, Gujjars, Khas, Lamba, Pangwala, Lahaulas, Swangla
Uttarakhand	Bhotias, Buksa, Khas, Jaunsari, Raji, Tharu
Uttar Pradesh	Jaunsari, Kol, Raji, Tharu, Bhotia
Rajasthan	Bhils, Damaria, Dhanka, Meenas, Sahariya, Pateliya.
Gujarat	Paradhi, Pateliya, Barda, Bamcha, Bhil, Charan, Dhodia, Gamta.
Maharashtra	Katkari, Khond, Rathawa, Warlis, Bhaina, Bhunjia, Dhodia
Goa	Siddi, Varli, Dhodia, Dubia, Naikda.
Karnataka	Adiyan, Barda, Gond, Bhil, Iruliga, Koraga, Yerava and Pateliya
Kerala	Adiyan, Arandan, Kurumbas, Malai arayan, Moplahs, Uralis
Tamil Nadu	Adiyan, Aranadan, Irular, Kadar, Kanikar, Kotas, Todas.
Madhya Pradesh	Baigas, Bhils, Bharia, Birhors, Gonds,Katkari, kharia, Khond, Kol, Murias.
Chhattisgarh	Agariya, Bhaina, Bhattra, Biar, Khond, Mawasi, Nagasia.
Telangana	Chenchus
Odisha	Gadaba, Ghara, Kharia, Matya, Oraons, Santhals, Rajuar
Jharkhand	Gonds, Kharia, Mundas, Santhals, Savar, Birhors, Bhumij
Bihar	Asur, Baiga, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Gond, Parhaiya, Santhals, Savar
West Bengal	Asur, Khond, Hajong, Ho, Parhaiya, Rabha, Santhals, Savar
Sikkim	Bhutia, Khas, Lepchas, Limboo, Tamang
Andhra Pradesh	Andh, Sadhu Andh, Bhagata, Bhil, Chenchus, Gadabas, Gond, Goundu, Jatapus, Kammara, Kattunayakan, Kolawar, Kolam, Konda, Manna Dhora, Pardhan, Rona, Savaras, Nakkala, Dhulia, Thoti, Sugalis, Banjara, Kondareddis, Koya, Mukha Dhora, Valmiki , Yenadis, Sugalis, Lambadis.
Arunachal Pradesh	Sherdukpen, Singpho, Apatanis, Abor, Dafla, Galong, Momba.
Assam	Chakma, Chutiya, Dimasa, Hajong, Garos, Khasis, Gangte.
Andaman and Nicobar	Oraons, Onges, Shompens, Sentinelese.
Manipur	Aimol, Angami, Chiru, Kuki, Maram, Monsang, Paite, Purum, Thadou
Meghalaya	Jaintias Khasis, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Chakma, Garos, Hajong
Mizoram	Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Pawai, Raba, Synteng, Chakma, Dimasa.
Nagaland	Mikir, Nagas, Sema, Angami, Garo, Kachari, Kuki.
Tripura	Chakma, Halam, Khasia, Lushai, Mizel, Namte, Bhil, Bhutia, Chaimal.