Major Tribes, Their Regions and Constitutional Provisions

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The Todas are a tribe of the:

   • A.Aravalli hills
   • B.Nilgiri hills✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Garo hills
   • D.Chotanagpur plateau

   Explanation: The Todas of Tamil Nadu are traditionally buffalo herders.

2. Q2.The Santhals mainly live in:

   • A.Kerala and Tamil Nadu
   • B.Gujarat and Rajasthan
   • C.Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
   • D.Jharkhand and neighbouring States of the eastern plateau✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: They are also found in West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar.

3. Q3.The Khasi and Garo tribes belong mainly to:

   • A.Gujarat
   • B.Kerala
   • C.Meghalaya✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Rajasthan

   Explanation: The Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills lie in Meghalaya.

4. Q4.The Bhils are known mainly in:

   • A.north-east India
   • B.the Nilgiris
   • C.western and central India (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh)✓ Correct Answer
   • D.the Himalayan snow region

   Explanation: The Bhils are among the largest tribal groups of India.

5. Q5.The Nagas are a tribal group of:

   • A.north-east India (Nagaland and neighbouring areas)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.southern peninsula
   • C.Thar desert
   • D.Sundarbans

   Explanation: Naga tribes include the Angami, Ao, Sema and Konyak.

6. Q6.Shifting cultivation in the north-east is known as:

   • A.Podu only
   • B.Terrace farming
   • C.Kharif farming
   • D.Jhum✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Jhum involves clearing and burning forest patches for temporary cultivation.

7. Q7.The Gaddis are a pastoral tribe of:

   • A.Himachal Pradesh✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Odisha
   • C.Assam
   • D.Tamil Nadu

   Explanation: Gaddis move sheep and goats between high pastures and lower valleys with the seasons.

8. Q8.The Bakarwals are seasonal herders of:

   • A.Kerala
   • B.Gujarat
   • C.Mizoram
   • D.Jammu and Kashmir✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: They graze goats and sheep in the Pir Panjal and Himalayan meadows.

9. Q9.The Chenchus live in the:

   • A.Garo hills
   • B.Western Ghats of Goa
   • C.Thar desert
   • D.Nallamala hills of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Chenchus have traditionally been forest food gatherers.

10. Q10.The Warli tribe, known for its wall painting, belongs to:

    • A.Assam
    • B.Bihar
    • C.Maharashtra✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Punjab

    Explanation: Warli art uses simple geometric shapes on mud walls.

11. Q11.The Jarawa and Onge tribes live in the:

    • A.Lakshadweep
    • B.Andaman Islands✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Sundarbans
    • D.Chilika lake area

    Explanation: They are among the original inhabitants of the Andaman group.

12. Q12.Khasi society is notable for being:

    • A.patrilineal with joint family only
    • B.nomadic
    • C.matrilineal✓ Correct Answer
    • D.caste-based

    Explanation: Descent and inheritance pass through the mother, as among the Garos.

13. Q13.Which Article of the Constitution deals with the specification of Scheduled Tribes?

    • A.Article 342✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 341
    • C.Article 330
    • D.Article 19

    Explanation: Article 341 relates to Scheduled Castes; Article 342 to Scheduled Tribes.

14. Q14.The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas in:

    • A.Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa
    • B.Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kerala and Tamil Nadu
    • D.Punjab and Haryana

    Explanation: These areas are governed through autonomous district and regional councils.

15. Q15.The Fifth Schedule deals with the administration of Scheduled Areas in:

    • A.States other than those covered by the Sixth Schedule✓ Correct Answer
    • B.only the north-east
    • C.only Union Territories
    • D.only Jammu and Kashmir

    Explanation: It covers tribal areas such as those in Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

16. Q16.The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was established under:

    • A.Article 330
    • B.Article 244
    • C.Article 338A, inserted by the 89th Amendment✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 46

    Explanation: The 89th Amendment (2003) split the earlier commission into separate SC and ST commissions.

17. Q17.PVTG stands for:

    • A.Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Primary Village Tribal Groups
    • C.Protected Valley Tribal Governments
    • D.Particularly Valued Tribal Guilds

    Explanation: These groups have declining populations and low literacy and are identified for special development.

18. Q18.The Great Andamanese and the Shompen are tribal groups of the:

    • A.Lakshadweep
    • B.Andaman and Nicobar Islands✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Nilgiri hills
    • D.Aravalli range

    Explanation: The Shompen live on Great Nicobar island.

19. Q19.The Apatani tribe is found in:

    • A.Mizoram
    • B.Kerala
    • C.Odisha
    • D.Arunachal Pradesh✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Apatani live in the Ziro valley and practise wet rice cultivation with fish.

20. Q20.The Kondh (Khond) tribe is mainly found in:

    • A.Kerala
    • B.Odisha✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Haryana
    • D.Himachal Pradesh

    Explanation: The Kondh live in the Eastern Ghats region of southern Odisha.