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Question

Write notes in 150 words:
Tribalism and Pseudotribalism

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2025 (Prelims) CSAT Official Paper (25-May-2025)

Tribalism refers to the social organization and identity rooted in traditional tribal communities, often marked by kinship, territoriality, and shared culture. It emphasizes solidarity, collective decision-making, and customary practices. In contrast, pseudotribalism arises when groups outside traditional tribal structures adopt the language or identity of tribes for political or economic gains. For example, caste groups or other communities sometimes mobilize under a tribal banner to claim benefits such as reservations or land rights. Pseudotribalism may also emerge when development-induced displacement forces fragmented groups to reinvent “tribal” identities for survival in urban or industrial contexts. While tribalism reflects organic continuity with tradition, pseudotribalism is often a constructed or strategic identity. Both, however, reveal the importance of collective identity in navigating social and political structures in India. Understanding this distinction helps in designing fair policies that genuinely benefit marginalized tribal groups.

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