Question

The full form of ST is _____
(A) Schedules Territory
(B) Scheduled Tribes
(C) Supreme Territory
(D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The Scheduled Tribes are officially designated groups of people in India. This term is recognized in the Indian Constitution and the groups are designated in one or other of the categories.

Complete answer:
The full form of ST is Scheduled Tribes. It is the community of people who used to live in tribal areas (mainly forest). They make up to approx 9% of Indian population including the rural and urban areas. They have traditionally been marginalized since the beginning and were never included in the mainstream sections of the society. They are also known as Adivasis.
People of STs face backwardness in education, social status, economic well being, health etc. because these are tribes who have distinct culture and consider forest/hills as their home.
 Historically, STs have also been exploited but they are not necessarily Hindus. They don’t suffer from untouchability like Scheduled Castes. They follow different religions. Mostly all the STs are a part of distinct small groups that have their own customs and manners, following different religions. Many of them follow either Hindu deities or Christian symbols.

Several Acts and Rules are included in the Indian Constitution for the protection of the rights of STs and also for the upliftment of this category of people.

Note Major Acts and Rules for STs are as follows:
1. Forest Rights Act 2006
2. Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
3. Protection of Civil Rights Rule, 1977
4. The SC and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 etc.