Subject Reference: GS Paper I (Society) | GS Paper II (Governance - Vulnerable Sections)
- The News (Dec 2025): 17 Paliyar families in Dindigul (Tamil Nadu) have petitioned for the recognition of their settlement as a formal village to gain access to basic infrastructure.
- Apt Topic: "Nomadic Identity vs. Administrative Recognition"
- Cultural Background: The Paliyars are a nomadic, forest-dwelling community in the Western Ghats. Their traditional lifestyle revolves around honey collection and forest produce.
- The Governance Challenge: Without "Village Status," these families often lack PDS cards, electricity, and schools. This topic highlights the exclusion of 'PVTGs' (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) or similar nomadic tribes from mainstream development due to their transient lifestyle.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
