Study on Socio Economic and Demographic Status of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGS) in Chhattisgarh, India

There are 705 Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India with 8.6 percent of the population. Of them, there are 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in 18 states and 1 Union Territory with grave socio-economic problems. PVTGs are known to be primitive in nature, different in cultures, and geographically isolated with subsistence being the main source of livelihood and their access to education, infrastructure, and healthcare is very low. They are still disadvantaged economically, in spite of government efforts. This paper discusses the socio-economic status and cultural features of the Scheduled Tribes in the state of Chhattisgarh with the concentration on PVTGs, the most disadvantaged of them. It complies with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 which is No Poverty, and SDG 10 which is Reduced Inequalities since it points to their marginalization both social and economic. These challenges are critical issues that need to be understood in order to develop specific policies to enhance the living standards, social inclusion and sustainable development.