SociologyIndian Society: Continuity and Change

Comparing the census counts of India's tribes for 2001 and 2011, whic…

Comparing the census counts of India's tribes for 2001 and 2011, which of the following is correct?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → Both the tribal share of the population and the number of tribal persons rose

Option (1) Both the tribal share of the population and the number of tribal persons rose — Correct. The tribal share rose from about 8.2% of India's population in 2001 to 8.6% in 2011. The number of tribal persons rose from about 84 million to about 104 million.

Option (2) The tribal share stayed the same while the number of tribal persons rose — Incorrect. The share did not stay the same. It went up from about 8.2% to 8.6% of India's population.

Option (3) The tribal share fell while the number of tribal persons rose — Incorrect. The share did not fall. It rose from about 8.2% to 8.6%, along with the number of persons.

Option (4) The tribal share fell while the number of tribal persons stayed the same — Incorrect. Neither part holds. The share rose to 8.6%, and the count grew by about 20 million, from 84 to 104 million.

NCERT (2026-27): “Classifications of Tribal Societies …
In terms of size, tribes vary a great deal, ranging from about seven million to some Andamanese islanders who may number less than a hundred persons. The biggest tribes are the Gonds, Bhils, Santhals, Oraons, Minas, Bodos and Mundas, all of whom are at least a million strong. The total population of tribes amounts to about 8.2% of the population of India, or about 84 million persons according to the 2001 Census. According to Census Report 2011, it is 8.6% of the population of India, or about 104 million tribal persons in the country.”