Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups have remained outside the headline indicators of welfare. With reference to the constitutional and policy framework for PVTGs, examine.

Introduction: The 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups across 18 States and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands inherit the Dhebar Commission 1961 'Primitive Tribal Groups' category, renamed in 2006, and remain outside the headline indicators of welfare.

Body: Three dimensions explain the gap. First, constitutional anchors — Article 46 Directive Principle, the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 and the Forest Rights Act 2006. Second, institutional response — Tribal Sub-Plan, Eklavya Model Residential Schools and PM-JANMAN launched on 15 November 2023 with a Rs 24,104 crore outlay covering Birhor of Jharkhand, Saharia of Madhya Pradesh, Onge and Jarawa of Andaman, and Dongria Kondh of Niyamgiri. Third, the gap — no disaggregated census data, low Habitation Development Plan coverage and weak last-mile health outreach.

Conclusion: Group-specific Habitation Development Plans, PVTG enumeration in Census 2026, and convergence with Forest Rights Act community-forest-resource rights are the levers.