Tribes MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Tribes - Download Free PDF

The Correct answer is Odisha.

Key Points

• Odisha has the highest number of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) among Indian states as of December 2022.
• The state is home to 13 PVTGs, which include tribes such as the Bonda, Didayi, Dongria Kondh, and Juang.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are a subgroup of Scheduled Tribes that are identified based on certain criteria such as pre-agricultural level of technology, low literacy rates, and declining or stagnant population.
• The identification of PVTGs is guided by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, under the Development of PVTGs scheme.
• Odisha's diverse geography, including forests, hills, and river valleys, provides a habitat conducive to the sustenance of these tribal communities.
• The state government, along with the central government, implements various developmental programs for PVTGs, such as health care, education, and housing, while preserving their culture and traditions.
• The PVTGs in Odisha are concentrated in the southern and western districts like Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, and Kandhamal, which are known for their rich tribal heritage.
• These groups are considered the most marginalized within the tribal population, and special attention is given to their socio-economic development under the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

 Additional Information

•  Madhya Pradesh
  • Madhya Pradesh is known as the "Heart of India" and has a significant tribal population, including tribes like the Gond, Bhil, and Baiga.
  • It has a large number of Scheduled Tribes, but it has fewer PVTGs compared to Odisha.
  • The state implements several tribal development programs under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP).
• Chhattisgarh
  • Chhattisgarh is rich in mineral resources and forests, making it a home to tribes like the Maria, Muria, and Halba.
  • The state has 5 identified PVTGs, including the Abujhmaria and Kamar.
  • It is heavily focused on the development of its tribal areas, particularly through initiatives like the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra.
• Jharkhand
  • Jharkhand is known for its tribal culture and is home to tribes such as the Santhal, Munda, and Oraon.
  • It has 9 PVTGs, including the Asur and Birhor.
  • The state has a significant focus on tribal welfare, including schemes for their education, employment, and health.

The correct answer is option 1.

In News

• Irula families in Kunnapattu, Tamil Nadu, face eviction and denial of land rights, highlighting the vulnerability of this Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) despite generations of settlement.

Key Points

• Statement 1: The Irula tribe is recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tamil Nadu. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• Statement 2: The Irulas are known for healing, traditional medicine, and snake catching, and are a key source of anti-venom production in India through their cooperative society. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• Statement 3: Irula settlements, called mottas, are located on the edges of steep hills, not in river valleys. These are surrounded by dry fields, forests, and plantations. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.

Additional Information

• The Irula Snake Catchers’ Industrial Cooperative Society supplies nearly 80% of snake venom used for anti-snake venom (ASV) in India.
• They speak Irula, a Dravidian language related to Tamil and Kannada.
• Their main deity, Kanniamma, is associated with cobras—a reflection of their deep connection with nature.

The correct answer is option 1.

In News

• The U.S. recently welcomed the first group of Afrikaner refugees, highlighting their deep historical roots in South Africa and their ongoing presence as an ethnic community.

Key Points

• The Afrikaner community originated in 1652 when Dutch settlers, led by Jan van Riebeeck, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope.
• Over time, French Huguenots (fleeing persecution), Germans, and enslaved people from various regions contributed to the Afrikaner community.
• The Khoikhoi were indigenous to South Africa but are not the primary ancestors of Afrikaners.

The correct answer is option 1.

In News

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently sought an action taken report from the Odisha government concerning the poor living conditions and lack of basic amenities for over 10,000 Dongria Kondh families.

Key Points

• Statement 1: Dongria Kondh is recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) inhabiting the Niyamgiri hills in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• Statement 2: Their livelihood mainly depends on horticulture, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) collection, and podu cultivation. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• Statement 3: The Dongria Kondh do not recognize a centralized political or religious leadership. Instead, each clan and village has its own leadership and ceremonial functionaries like beju and bejuni. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
• Statement 4: They speak Kui and Kuvi, both distinct from Odisha’s official language, Odia. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Additional Information

• The community derives its name from "dongar", meaning hill, and calls themselves Jharnia, or protectors of streams.
• They worship Niyam Raja, a mythical god-king believed to be the creator of the Niyamgiri hills.
• Their art reflects nature through triangular mountain designs on village shrines.
• The NHRC’s intervention highlights their marginalization despite constitutional protections.

The correct answer is ​Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In News

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved an exemption to the laws governing the regulation of coastal zones and has paved the way for gas-powered plants to be set up at Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Key Points

• There has been an increased interest in the development of the Andaman region following a policy push by the NITI Aayog. A proposed project plans to develop the Greater Andaman region or the southernmost stretch of the island group. 
• Proposals include a 22-sq.km airport complex, a TransShipment Port (TSP) at South Bay at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore, a parallel-to-the-coast mass rapid transport system and a free trade zone and warehousing complex on the southwestern coast. 
• The Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India. This territory is known as A & N Islands, or ANI. It is located in the Indian Ocean, in the southern reaches of the Bay of Bengal, nearer to Indonesia and Thailand. This comprises of two island groups - the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands - which separates the Andaman Sea to the east from the Indian Ocean. 
• These two groups are separated by the 10° N parallel, the Andamans lying to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobars to the south. The capital of this territory is the Andamanese town of Port Blair. 
• Hindi and English are the official languages of the islands. Bengali is the dominant and most spoken language, with 26% of the population speaking Bengali. 
• Particularly vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs) who have been identified in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. They are:- 
  • Great Andamanese of Strait Island 
  • Onges of Little Andaman 
  • Jarawas of South and Middle Andaman 
  • Sentinelese of Sentinel Islands 
  • Shompens of Great Nicobar

The correct answer is Bhil.

Key Points

• This dance is famous and performed mostly by all communities but is most famous in the Mewar and Marwar region of Rajasthan.
• Gair dance is performed by both men and women.
• It is performed on occasions like Holi and Janmashtami.
• Gair originated from Bhil dance.

The correct answer is Assam.

Key Points

• 'Ali Ai Ligang Festival' is a festival celebrated in the state of ASSAM.
• It is celebrated by the Mising/Mishing; an indigenous tribe of Assam.
• The name of the festival is made up of three terms, 'Ali', legumes, 'Aye', seed and 'Ligang', to sow.

Additional Information

Some important festivals of Northeastern states are:

The correct answer is A Particularly Vulnerable Tribal (PVT) Group.

Key Points

• The Brus:
  • Also referred to as the Reangs.
  • They are spread across the Northeastern states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram.
  • In Tripura, they are recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. So, option 2 is correct.
  • In Mizoram, they have been targeted by groups that do not consider them indigenous to the state.
  • Ethnic violence forced thousands of people from the Bru tribe to leave their homes in Mizoram.
  • The displaced Bru people from Mizoram have been living in various camps in Tripura since 1997.

The correct answer is Nilgiri Hills.

• "Toda" people are a Dravidian tribes group who live in the Nilgiri Mountains of Tamil Nadu.
• Their huts stand on wooden structures and the roofs are semi-cylindrical and springy.
• Toda people do traditional milk business and trade in Baru and bamboo items.
• Kumaon hills situated in Uttarakhand state and it is called the 'Lake District' of India. 
• Khasi Hills located in the Meghalaya state.

The Correct Answer is Jharkhand.

Key Points

• Among the tribal people of Jharkhand, Bhagta Parab is best known as the worship of Budha Baba.
• After worship in the evening, devotees take part in dynamic and vigorous Chhau dance with lots of gymnastic actions and masks.

Additional Information

• Bhagoria is an important tribal festival of Madhya Pradesh.
• Nagoba Jatara is a Hindu tribal festival held in Adilabad district, Telangana.
• The Hornbill Festival is held every year in Nagaland.
• Lavani is a folk dance of Maharashtra.
• 'Aadi Mahotsav', a National Tribal Festival is being organised from 16th to 30th November 2018 in New Delhi by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

The correct answer is Irula.

Key Points

• The main tribe found in Tamil Nadu is Irula.
• They live in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu.
• Irula tribe has their origin from ethnic groups of Southeast Asia and Australia.
• Irulas are among the Particularly vulnerable tribal group.
• Other important tribes of Tamil Nadu are Toda, Kota, Kurumbas, Paniyan and Kattunayakan.​

Additional Information

The correct answer is Rengma.

Key Points

• Nagaland consists of 16 (Sixteen) Administrative Districts, inhabited by 17 major tribes along with other sub-tribes.
• In Nagaland, the Konyak are the largest tribe, followed by the Ao, Tangkhul, Sema, and Angami. Lotha, Sangtam, Phom, Chang, Khiemnungam, Yimchungre, Zeliang, Chakhesang (Chokri), and Rengma are some of the other Naga tribes.
• Rengma Tribe:
  • Rengma is a Naga tribe that lives in India's Nagaland and Assam states.
  • Rengmas in Nagaland number 62,951 people, whereas Rengmas in Assam number roughly 22,000 people, according to the 2011 Indian Census.
  • The Rengmas' headquarters in Nagaland is in Tseminyü District, whereas the Rengmas' headquarters in Assam is in Phentsero/Karenga Village.
  • The Eastern Rengmas and the Western Rengmas are the two groups of Rengma Nagas.
  • The Rengmas are terrace cultivation masters.
  • The Rengmas' harvest festival is known as Ngada. The Ngada festival lasts eight days and symbolizes the end of the agricultural season. This harvest festival takes place near the end of November.

Additional Information

• Bonda Tribe:
  • The Bonda are a Munda ethnic group who live in the isolated hill regions of southwestern Odisha's Malkangiri district, near the intersection of three states: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Dambaru Sisha took the oath of office as the first MLA from the Bonda tribe, which he descended from.
• Limbu Tribe:
  • The Limbu or Yakthung is a Sino-Tibetan indigenous tribe (Bhot-Burmeli) of Eastern Nepal, Sikkim, and Western Bhutan in the Himalayan area.
  • "Yakthung" or "Yakthum" is a derivative of Yaksha, according to ancient sources, and others translate it as "Yaksha winner."
  • It means "heroes of the hills" in the Limbu language which has a connection to the ancient Kiratis.
  • Only Limbu village chiefs are awarded the title Subba by the Shah Kings.
• Pnar Tribe:
  • The Pnar, also known as the Jaitia, is a Khasi sub-tribal group of Meghalaya, India.
  • They speak the Pnar language, which is related to the Khasi language and belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family. 
  • The Pnar are Meghalayans who live in the West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills districts. 
  • Their main festivals are Behdeinkhlam, Chad Sukra, Chad Pastieh and Laho Dance.

The correct answer is Nyishi

Boori-Boot Yullo is a festival celebrated by the Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.

Important Points

• Arunachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged state by the 55th Constitutional Amendment Act.
• It grants Statehood to Arunachal Pradesh which consequently became the 24th State of the Indian Union.
• What is now Arunachal Pradesh was established as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) in 1954.
• NEFA was renamed Arunachal Pradesh on 20 January 1972, and it became a Union Territory.
• Arunachal Pradesh became a state on 20 February 1987.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Arunachal Pradesh.

Key Points

• Mini is a tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state in the Northeast.
• It has 26 major tribes, there are more than 100 sub-tribes.
• The tribal’s are skillful people and are a specialist in making baskets, weaving, smithy work, pottery, wood carving, painting, and more.
• The 'Adis' tribe is a democratic and organized tribal people and the women are known for their very good weaving skills.
• The 'Apatanis' tribe are settled agriculturists and are good cultivators of both wet and terrace cultivation.