Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are the most marginalized communities among India’s Scheduled Tribes. The category emerged from the Dhebar Commission (1960–61), which identified “Primitive Tribal Groups” (PTGs). In 2006, the term was replaced with PVTG to avoid the derogatory sense of “primitive.”

The government identifies PVTGs using four key criteria: a pre-agricultural level of technology (such as hunting-gathering or shifting cultivation), very low literacy, economic backwardness marked by subsistence living, and a stagnant or declining population. These indicators reflect their fragile socio-economic position and survival challenges.

At present, there are 75 PVTGs across 18 states and one Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands). Each group is known by its specific tribal name, such as Birhor, Juang, Jarawa, Chenchu, and Cholanaickan. Odisha has the highest number, followed by Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) and Bihar (including Jharkhand). Their distribution shows their unique ecological ties—living in dense forests, remote hills, or isolated islands, where survival depends heavily on the natural environment.

Despite their resilience, their present condition remains precarious. Many face extreme poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare or education. Their reliance on forests makes them especially vulnerable to deforestation, restrictive forest policies, and environmental change. Moreover, exploitative interactions with outsiders often deepen their marginalization, while their traditional knowledge and cultural practices risk disappearing.

PVTGs require carefully tailored, culturally sensitive development policies that protect their identity while improving living conditions. Ensuring their survival and dignity is not just an administrative task but a moral responsibility.