Quest Journals Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science Volume 10 ~ Issue 5 (2022) pp: 90-95 ISSN(Online):2321-9467 www.questjournals.org *Corresponding Author: Shakeel Ahmed 90 | Page Health status of schedule tribe: evidence-based study Shakeel Ahmed PhD. Scholar and ICSSR fellow A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Science, Patna Abstract Schedule Tribe (ST) is most marginalized community in India who have always been neglected by both government as well as society. Their representation in education, employment, politics and beneficiary is abysmally low. In this paper, the health status of ST group is focused and analysis is done on the basis of National Sample Survey (NSS) 75 th round data (2017-18) on ‘Health expenditure’. The analysis reveals that the health status of ST group is poorer than SC, OBC and others. They have low access to health facilities. Proportion of people who don’t avail healthcare services at all are from ST group. Even, the condition of ST women is more distressful. Further, there is a direct linkage is observed between education attainment and health status. The analysis also reveals that government’s supports are not adequate. The existing schemes and policies are not in place with high spirit. Received 05 May, 2022; Revised 17 May, 2022; Accepted 19 May, 2022 © The author(s) 2022. Published with open access at www.questjournals.org I. Introduction According to Census 2011, the total population in Schedule tribe (ST) is 10.45 crore which is around 8.6% of India’s total population. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra accounts for 14.7% and 10.1% of total ST population respectively. Further, around 10% of ST population resides in urban area while 90% in rural area. In compare to Census 2001, there is 23.7% growth in ST population although, there is abysmal growth in their living determinants like health, education, job, access to public services, income and wealth. Several government schemes exist to support the ST community in leading a good life but all such efforts are not adequate. Even, where few developments are observable, they are not fulfilling their objectives for which they are meant to do so. Here in this paper, we have focused on the health status of ST community and tried to find out where they stand in compare to other castes and classes and what are their major obstacle in accessing the healthcare facilities. It is also tried here to establish the level of education and health status. The existing government’s schemes and allocated budget (2020-21) are also analyzed. To proceed with the analysis, we have taken the ‘National Sample Survey (NSS)’ data on health expenditure 75 th round (2017-18). Apart from it, the Union Budget on welfare of Schedule tribe is also studied in depth. The analysis is represented through tables and graphs and subsequently, they are critically discussed.