The social and economic situation of Scheduled Tribes in India

This chapter explores the social and economic situation of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India. Our results indicate that STs still fare much worse with regard to poverty, education and health indicators compared to all other social groups. We further find that most STs remain in occupations with high levels of poverty incidence, suggesting high occupational segregation. We also contend that policymakers should not treat STs as a homogenous group, given their vast heterogeneity. Policies must be specifically aimed at the different Adivasi groups in order to enhance their wellbeing. One-size-fits-all policies are likely to fail.