ST status for 6 Assam communities: Centre examining proposal, no timeline yet
Synopsis
Assam has done its part — a Group of Ministers report approved in the Winter Session of 2025 is now headed to New Delhi — but the six communities seeking Scheduled Tribe status are no closer to a deadline. The Centre's constitutional gatekeeping means the wait continues, with no timeline from either side.
Key Takeaways
Assam Education and Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu told the Assembly on 9 July that no timeline can be given for granting ST status to six communities in Assam.
The final decision rests with the Central government and requires parliamentary approval under constitutional procedures.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) report was approved by the Assam Legislative Assembly during the Winter Session in November 2025 .
The Centre had previously sought a detailed state report on whether ST status would affect existing tribal communities' reservation rights.
The state has completed its mandated exercise and is forwarding recommendations to New Delhi ; the Centre has yet to indicate a decision date.
The long-pending proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in Assam remains under active consideration by the Central government, with no deadline in sight. Assam Education and Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu on Thursday, 9 July told the Assam Legislative Assembly that the state cannot specify any timeline, as the final decision rests entirely within the Centre's constitutional jurisdiction.
What the Minister Said in the Assembly
Responding to a question raised by MLA Chakradhar Gogoi during the ongoing Assembly session, Minister Pegu clarified that the inclusion of any community in the Scheduled Tribe list is determined solely by the Central government through prescribed constitutional and parliamentary procedures. He stressed that the Assam government has fulfilled its part of the process and is now forwarding its recommendations to New Delhi.
Pegu noted that the Centre had earlier sought a detailed report from the state to assess whether granting ST status to the six communities would affect the constitutional safeguards, reservation benefits, and other rights currently enjoyed by existing Scheduled Tribe communities in Assam.
The Group of Ministers Report
To examine the issue comprehensively, the Assam government had constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM). The GoM submitted its report, which was subsequently approved by the Assam Legislative Assembly during its Winter Session in November 2025. The report, along with the state's formal recommendations, is now being transmitted to the Central government for further deliberation.
Why No Timeline Can Be Given
Minister Pegu reiterated that once the state's recommendations reach the Centre, the process moves into the domain of Parliament and constitutional bodies — over which the Assam government has no control. This constitutional framework means that even a well-prepared state file can await federal action for an indeterminate period. Notably, the demand for ST status for these six communities has remained unresolved for several years, making it a politically sensitive issue in the state.
What Happens Next
The Central government will now examine the state's recommendations in accordance with the constitutional provisions governing Scheduled Tribe classification. Any change to the ST list requires parliamentary approval, adding another procedural layer. The Assam government expressed hope that the longstanding demand would ultimately be addressed after completion of the due constitutional process, though no official date has been indicated by either the state or the Centre.
Point of View
Approved in November 2025, has been in the pipeline for months without a federal response date. The longer this drags, the more it becomes electoral fodder in a state where tribal identity politics is a defining fault line. What is missing from this debate is a clear public accounting of which six communities are being considered and what the demographic impact on existing ST beneficiaries would be — details that the Centre's 'examination' should eventually make transparent.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which six communities in Assam are seeking Scheduled Tribe status?
The source does not name the six specific communities. The Assam government's proposal covers six communities whose ST status demand has been long-pending; details are expected to emerge when the Centre publishes its findings.
Why can't the Assam government give a timeline for the ST status decision?
Under India's constitutional framework, adding a community to the Scheduled Tribe list is exclusively the Central government's prerogative and requires parliamentary approval. The Assam government has completed its role — constituting a GoM, submitting a report, and forwarding recommendations — but cannot compel or predict federal action.
What did the Assam Group of Ministers report recommend?
The GoM report examined whether granting ST status to the six communities would affect the constitutional safeguards and reservation benefits of existing Scheduled Tribe communities in Assam. The report was approved by the Assam Legislative Assembly during the Winter Session in November 2025 and is now being sent to the Centre.
What is the next step in the ST status process?
The Central government will review the state's recommendations and assess the constitutional and social impact. Any formal inclusion in the ST list then requires a bill to be passed in Parliament. No date has been set for either step.
How does India's ST classification process work?
Inclusion of a community in the Scheduled Tribe list is governed by Article 342 of the Constitution. The President, on the advice of the state government and after consultation with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, issues a notification — but any modification to the list requires an Act of Parliament.
