The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provided Union Territory-wise Scheduled Tribe population data from Census 2011 in response to a Lok Sabha question. Jammu & Kashmir has the highest ST population at 12,75,106, followed by Ladakh (2,18,193), Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu (1,93,927), Lakshadweep (61,120), and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (28,530). Chandigarh, Delhi, and Puducherry have no notified Scheduled Tribes (NST).
The Ministry detailed numerous schemes supporting tribal welfare and socio-economic development, including Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan for infrastructure saturation, Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups development, Eklavya Model Residential Schools for quality education, and various scholarship schemes (Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, National Scholarship for Higher Education, National Fellowship, and National Overseas Scholarship). Additional support comes through Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organisations, Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes, and Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events initiatives.
The Ministry clarified that no proposal for granting Scheduled Tribe status based on duration of residence in Delhi is under consideration. ST status is governed by Article 342 of the Constitution, requiring presidential notification after consultation with the Governor/Administrator, with subsequent changes only through parliamentary amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. Proposals are examined against Lokur Committee criteria (primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact, and social/economic backwardness) and require state/UT administration recommendation with concurrence from the Registrar General of India and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Union Territories is provided in two forms: (i) Political institutions - proportional reservation in UT Legislative Assemblies/Panchayats/Municipalities in UTs with notified ST population (Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu), with no reservation in Chandigarh, Delhi, and Puducherry; (ii) Administrative services - 7.5% reservation in direct recruitment following DoPT policy, with higher percentages in UTs with substantial ST populations (Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli) as notified by respective UT administrations.