Regional Distribution of Tribes in India

India is the home to a large number of indigenous people, who are still untouched by the
lifestyle of the modern world. There are 461 tribes in India out of which 424 are considered
as the Schedule Tribes. In this article, we are giving the names of tribal groups in India and
their regional distribution that will helps the aspirants in the preparations of examinations like
UPSC, SSC, State Services, CDS, NDA, Railways etc.

SHAKEEL ANWARUPDATED: MAR 23, 2018 15:35 IST

Regional Distribution of Tribes in India

India is the home to a large number of indigenous people, who are still untouched by the
lifestyle of the modern world. Now the question is who are tribes or which people belongs to
the tribal groups. In 1960, Chanda Committee determined five standards to include any
caste or community in the tribal group. These standards include Geographical isolation,
special culture, characteristics of tribes, backwardness and shyness. There are 461 tribal
groups in India out of which 424 are considered as the Schedule Tribes.

Regional Distribution of Tribes in India

India can be divided into seven zones on the basis of distribution and diversity of the tribal
population which are given below:

1. North Zone
The tribes of the region of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand,
Sub Himalayan Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar come under this zone. They are Lahul,, Lepcha,
Bhotia, Tharu, Buxa, Jaunsari, Khampa, Bhoksa, Gujjars and Kanauta. They all have
the characteristics of the Mongoloids racial group. The major problems of the tribes of this
zone are in accessibility, lack of communication, poverty, illiteracy and land alienation.

2. North-Eastern Zone
They are of the tribes of Asom, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura,
Meghalaya and Mizoram. They all have the characteristics of the Mongoloids racial
group. The major tribal groups are:
Mizoram: Lusai, Kuki, Garo, Khasi, Jayantia and Mikir
Nagaland: Naga, Kuki, Mikir and Garo
Meghalaya: Garo, Khasi and Jayantia
Sikkim: Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbu, and Tamang
Tripura: Chakma, Garo, Khasi, Kuki, Lusai, Liang, and Santhal
Arunachal Pradesh: Dafla, Khampti, and Singpho
Asom: Boro, Kachari, Mikir (Karbi), Lalung, and Hajong
Manipur: Meities, Pangals, Naga tribes and Kuki
These tribes have a very high rate of literacy and conversions to Christianity, mainly because
of the missionary activities during the colonial rule.

List of language families spoken worldwide

3. Central Zone
The tribes of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Western Rajasthan and northern Andhra
Pradesh come under this zone. The major tribes of Chhattisgarh are Gond, Baiga, maria
and Abujhamaria. They are largely concentrated in Mandla district of Madhya
Pradesh, Bastar district of Chhattisgarh and also foun din the eastern region of Andhra
Pradesh.

4. Southern Zone
They are the tribes of Central and Southern Western Ghats, who are expanded towards
the south of 20 degree latitude. The tribes of Western Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Western Tamil Nadu and Kerala come under this zone. The most important tribes of
the Nilgiri region are Toda, Kota and Bagada. The other major tribes of this zone
are Kurumba, Kadar, Paniyan, Chenchu, Allar, Nayak and Chetti.

5. Eastern Zone
The tribes of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar come under this zone. The tribes
of Odisha are Juang, Kharia, Khond and Bhumij. The tribes of Jharkhand are Munda,
Oraon, Santhal, Ho and Birhor. They are of the Austric language family and speak Kol
and Munda languages.
List of Mineral Belts in India

6. Western Zone
They are the tribes of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Western Rajasthan, and northern
Andhra Pradesh. The major tribes of Rajasthan are Bhil, Garasia, Mina, Banjara, Sansi
and Saharia; of Gujarat are Mahadeokoli, Bali and Dabala; of Madhya
Pradesh are Jayanti.

7. Island Region
The tribes of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep groups come under this zone. The
major tribes of Andaman & Nicobar are Shompen, Onge, Jarwa and Sentinali, who are
gradually getting extinct. They are related to the Negrito racial group.
All the racial groups are identified separately on the basis of their own racial characteristics.
These characteristics are the nature and colour of hair, head structure, Nasal index and shape
of eyes. However, the racial group groups in India are highly mixed.