GoI has recently changed the criteria for classification of communities as STs from primitive traits to neutral socioeconomic elements. Apart from the existing 5 criteria, what other indices have been included?

a. Socioeconomic and educational backwardness and autonomous religious practices

b. Low SES and BPL levels plus autonomous religious practices

c. Lack of access to jobs and employment plus autonomous religious practices

d. None of the above

ANSWER: Socioeconomic and educational backwardness and autonomous religious practices

Explanation:

Government has taken the decision to streamline criteria for classification of communities as scheduled tribes basing it on 5 criteria -- primitive traits, distinctive culture, shyness of contact, geographical isolation and backwardness and 2 additional criteria— socio-economic and educational backwardness, and autonomous religious practices. Government will also rework the existing criteria. Under the new rules, a state government would now send its proposal for inclusion of a community as ST to the ministry of tribal affairs, which would take the views of the Registrar General of India, Anthropological Society of India and the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST) all at once.