Assam GoM report recommends ST status for six communities and a new 'ST (Valley)' category
On 29 November 2025 an Assam Group of Ministers report tabled in the Assembly recommended ST status for six communities through a three-tier classification â ST (Plains), ST (Hills) and a new ST (Valley).
Summary
The interim report of a three-member Group of Ministers headed by Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu was laid in the Assam Assembly on the last day of the winter session. It found justification for ST status for Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). It proposed a new ST (Valley) category for Ahom, Chutia, Tea Tribes and Koch-Rajbongshi outside undivided Goalpara, and ST (Plains) for Moran, Matak and Koch-Rajbongshi of undivided Goalpara, while protecting existing ST quotas. Final inclusion needs approval by Parliament.
Key facts
- State
- Assam
- Tabled
- 29 November 2025, last day of Assembly winter session
- GoM head
- Ranoj Pegu (Tribal Affairs â Plains); members Pijush Hazarika, Keshab Mahanta
- Six communities
- Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi, Tea Tribes (Adivasis)
- Proposal
- Three-tier ST: ST (Plains), ST (Hills), new ST (Valley)
- Existing quotas
- ST (Plains) 10%, ST (Hills) 5% â to remain protected
- Final step
- Approval by Parliament needed
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Assam Group of Ministers report tabled on 29 November 2025 proposed which new Scheduled Tribe category?
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Correct answer: A â ST (Valley)
The GoM recommended a three-tier classification â ST (Plains), ST (Hills) and a new ST (Valley).
Consider the following statements about the Assam GoM report on ST status (November 2025): 1. It was headed by Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu. 2. It says the six communities can get ST status without any approval of Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
The GoM was headed by Ranoj Pegu; the report states that final inclusion requires statutory approval by Parliament, so statement 2 is wrong.
Which of the following communities was NOT among the six communities recommended for ST status by the Assam GoM report (November 2025)?
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Correct answer: B â Bodo
The six communities are Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis); Bodos are already a Scheduled Tribe.