Odisha is a state in India known for its rich diversity, which includes a wide range of ethnic communities. The state has 62 Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities and 93 Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. Odisha is also home to 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), which is the highest number among Indian states. As per the Census of 2011, STs and SCs together make up about 40% of the state’s population.
Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Odisha
Overview:
- Total ST Population: 9,590,756 (22.85% of the state’s population)
- Top District by ST Population: Malkangiri (57.4%)
- Lowest District by ST Population: Puri (0.3%)
Demographics:
- Literacy Rate: 52.24%
- Highest Literacy Rate: Puri (74.62%)
- Lowest Literacy Rate: Malkangiri (35.23%)
- Sex Ratio: 1029 females per 1000 males
Scheduled Areas:
Odisha’s scheduled areas are divided into fully and partly covered districts:
- Fully Covered: Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, Nabarangapur, Rayagada
- Partly Covered: Sambalpur (Kuchinda), Keonjhar (Telkoi, Champua), Khondamal (Baliguda, Udayagiri), Ganjam (Ghumsur), Kalahandi (Rampur, Langigarh), Balasore (Nilagiri)
Major Tribes:
- Kondhs
- Largest tribal group in Odisha.
- Mainly reside in the hilly regions of the state.
- Speak the Kui language.
- Sub-Groups: Malua Kondhs, Dongria Kondhs (cultivate on steep slopes).
- Sauras
- One of the most ancient tribes, known for their climbing and hunting skills.
- Concentrated in Paralakhemundi and Gunupur areas.
- Speak the Munda language and are famous for Saura paintings.
- Bhumias
- Found in Koraput, Malkangiri, Phulbani, Ganjam, and Sundargarh.
- Known for their unique marriage customs and village leadership by a Mukhia.
- Gonds
- Spread across Central and South India, including Kalahandi and Koraput.
- Engage in agriculture, forest produce collection, and cottage industries.
- Marriages are often within blood relations.
- Bondas
- Small Austro-Asiatic community living in the mountainous regions of Malkangiri.
- Known for their fierce independence.
- Koyas
- Inhabit the hills north of the Godavari and in Malkangiri.
- Speak the Koya language and engage in agriculture and cultivation of tobacco.
- Matias
- Reside in Dhenkanal, Malkangiri, Balangir, and Kalahandi.
- Cultivate maize and vegetables.
- Dharuas
- Found in Malkangiri district, speaking the Dharua language.
- Primarily farmers and hunters.
- Didayis
- Live in Malkangiri along the Machkund River.
- Known for their clean, well-painted houses and mixed occupations of hunting, fishing, and cultivation.

Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Odisha
Overview:
- Total SC Population: 7,188,463 (17.13% of the state’s population)
- Top District by SC Population: Ganjam (6.88 lakh)
- Lowest District by SC Population: Gajapati (0.39 lakh)
Demographics:
- Literacy Rate: 69.02%
- Highest Literacy Rate: Jagatsinghpur (78.33%)
- Lowest Literacy Rate: Gajapati (51.03%)
- Sex Ratio: 987 females per 1000 males
Key Points:
- The most common SC community is the Pana.
- Ganjam district has the highest SC population, while Gajapati has the lowest.
Initiatives for Development of SCs and STs
The Odisha government has implemented various programs to support and develop SC and ST communities:
- Academy of Tribal Language and Culture (ATLC): Develops and promotes tribal languages and cultures.
- Dispersed Tribal Development Programme (DTDP): Provides financial aid, irrigation, and training to dispersed ST populations.
- Focussed Area Development Programme (FADP): Supports sustainable livelihoods for ST families.
- Grants under Article 275 (1): Financial assistance for tribal welfare.
- Inter-Caste Marriages: Cash incentives for inter-caste marriages to promote social integration.
- Legal Aid Assistance: Helps SCs/STs with legal issues and rights over land.
- Modified Area Development Approach (MADA): Develops tribal areas outside TSP zones.
- Micro Projects for PVTG: Special projects for the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
- Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Programme (OTELP): Ensures livelihood and food security for tribal households.
- Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP): Improves food security and livelihood opportunities for PVTGs.
- Scheduled Caste Welfare Advisory Board: Advises on SC welfare issues.
- State Level High Power Vigilance and Monitoring Committee: Oversees the implementation of anti-atrocity laws.
- Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP): Provides additional funding for tribal development.
- Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP): Ensures financial benefits flow to SCs.
Useful Charts and Tables
1. ST Population by District
District | ST Population (%) |
---|---|
Malkangiri | 57.4% |
Puri | 0.3% |
2. SC Population by District
District | SC Population (lakh) |
---|---|
Ganjam | 6.88 |
Gajapati | 0.39 |
FAQs
1. How many SC communities are there in Odisha?
Answer: 93
2. How many ST communities are there in Odisha?
Answer: 62
3. Which state has the highest number of PVTGs in India?
Answer: Odisha
4. What is Odisha’s rank in terms of ST population in India as per Census 2011?
Answer: 3
5. What is Odisha’s rank in terms of SC population in India as per Census 2011?
Answer: 11
6. Which district in Odisha has the highest ST literacy rate?
Answer: Puri
7. Which district is not covered under scheduled areas in Odisha as per the 1977 order?
Answer: Nayagarh
8. What is the largest tribe in Odisha?
Answer: Kondh
9. In which district do the Dongria Kondhs reside?
Answer: Koraput
10. Which language is spoken by the Sauras tribe of Odisha?
Answer: Munda
11. In which tribal community of Odisha are arranged marriages not allowed?
Answer: Bhumias
12. The Bondas tribal group in Odisha inhabit around which river?
Answer: Machkund
13. What does ‘Peda’ mean among the Koya tribal group of Malkangiri?
Answer: Head of a village
14. In which district(s) do the Matias tribal group live?
Answer: All of these (Dhenkanal, Balangir, Kalahandi)
15. Which tribe speaks the language known as ‘Parji’?
Answer: Dharuas
16. Which district in Odisha has the highest concentration of SC population?
Answer: Ganjam
17. Which district in Odisha has the lowest literacy rate among the SC population?
Answer: Gajapati
18. Since which year has TDCCOL been functioning as the apex organization for the TSP area?
Answer: 1971-72
19. Micro projects are aimed at the all-round development of which group?
Answer: PVTGs
20. SC and ST Development Finance Cooperative Corporation Limited operates which program?
Answer: DTDP
21. In which district is the Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP) not launched?
Answer: Deogarh
22. Which organization publishes the journal ‘SARGIFUL’?
Answer: ATLC
23. Which statements about the Scheduled Caste Welfare Advisory Board and the monitoring committee for the Prevention of Atrocity Act are correct?
Answer: Both statements 1 and 2 are correct
24. Which statements about the Saura tribe are correct?
Answer: Both statements 1 and 2 are correct
25. Match the tribes with their respective areas: Kondhs, Sauras, Koyas, Matias
Answer: Kondhs – Niyamgiri Range, Sauras – Paralakhemundi, Koyas – Malkangiri, Matias – Dhenkanal
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