Read the passage and answer following questions.
Assertions of tribal identity are on the rise. This can be laid at the door of the emergence of a middle class within the tribal society. With the emergence of this class in particular, issues of culture, tradition, livelihood, even control over land and resources, as well as demands for a share in the benefits of the projects of modernity, have become an integral part of the articulation of identity among the tribes. There is, therefore, a new consciousness among tribes now coming from its middle classes. The middle classes themselves are a consequence of modern education and modern occupations, aided in turn by the reservation policies.
How is 'education' impacting the life of tribal communities?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Education is creating an urbanised professional class
Option (1) Education is creating an urbanised professional class — Correct. A significant development is the gradual emergence of an educated middle class among tribal communities, most visible in the North-eastern states. Together with policies of reservation, education is creating an urbanised professional class: tribals who move to towns and work as teachers, doctors, officers and other professionals.
Option (2) Tribal societies are getting less differentiated — Incorrect. To be differentiated means to develop class and other divisions within a society. With an educated professional class rising, tribal societies are getting more differentiated, not less, because some members now stand apart from the rest by education and occupation.
Option (3) The interaction with the mainstream is becoming more pleasant/ favourable for the mainstream — Incorrect. The interaction of tribes with the mainstream has generally been on terms unfavourable to the tribal communities, and many tribal identities are centred on resistance to the non-tribal world. Education is not described as making this interaction more pleasant for the mainstream.
Option (4) The bases/reasons for the assertion of tribal identity are shrinking — Incorrect. As tribal societies get more differentiated, different bases are growing for the assertion of tribal identity. The educated middle class raises issues of culture, land and a share in development, so the grounds for asserting identity are increasing, not shrinking.
NCERT (2025-26): “Tribal Identity Today … Because the interaction with the mainstream has generally been on terms unfavourable to the tribal communities, many tribal identities today are centred on ideas of resistance and opposition to the overwhelming force of the non-tribal world.…” “…In conjunction with policies of reservation (about which you will learn more in Chapter 5), education is creating an urbanised professional class. As tribal societies get more differntiated – i.e., develop class and other divisions within themselves – different bases are growing for the assertion of tribal identity.…” |