The Shompens are recognized as a particularly vulnerable tribal group belonging to which region of India?

Introduction / Context:
India recognises several Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) that have distinct cultures, small populations, and often live in remote or isolated regions. Knowledge of where these groups are located is important in Indian social and tribal geography. The Shompens are one such PVTG, and exam questions frequently ask candidates to match them with their correct region or state. This question asks you to identify the region where the Shompens live from among four options.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The tribal group in question is the Shompens.
• The answer choices include Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• We assume the official classification of Shompens as a PVTG in the context of India s tribal policy.
• We also assume that the question refers to their traditional habitat, not migration areas.

Concept / Approach:
The Shompens are an indigenous tribal community that inhabits parts of Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are known to live in the dense forests of this remote island, largely isolated from the mainland population. Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal have many tribal communities, such as Santhals, Mundas, and Juangs, but they are not associated with the Shompen tribe. Therefore, the correct approach is to recall that Shompens belong specifically to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands region.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognize that the Shompens are listed among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in India. Step 2: Recall that Shompens are associated with Great Nicobar Island, which is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Step 3: Note that Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal have different tribal groups and are not known as the primary home region of the Shompens. Step 4: Check the options and identify Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the region matching Great Nicobar Island. Step 5: Conclude that the Shompens belong to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and select this as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to several distinct tribal groups such as the Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese, Nicobarese, and Shompens. Among these, the Shompens are primarily associated with Great Nicobar Island s interior forests. Standard civil services preparation material and tribal geography summaries specifically list Shompens under Andaman and Nicobar Islands. None of the major tribal lists for Jharkhand, Odisha, or West Bengal mention the Shompens, confirming that only the island group option is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jharkhand: Jharkhand has many tribes like Santhal, Munda, and Ho, but the Shompens are not among the tribal groups settled there.

Odisha: Odisha has PVTGs such as the Juang and Dongria Kondh, but the Shompens are not associated with this state.

West Bengal: West Bengal has tribal groups like Santhals and Oraons but not the Shompens, who are linked instead to Great Nicobar Island.

Common Pitfalls:
Some aspirants see tribal names and immediately associate them with central or eastern Indian states like Jharkhand or Odisha, where many scheduled tribes live. Another common error is not differentiating between mainland tribal belts and the unique tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Additionally, mixing up Shompens with Nicobarese or other Andamanese groups can lead to hesitation. Making a small list of PVTGs and grouping them by region, especially island tribes versus mainland tribes, is a useful way to avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
The Shompens are a particularly vulnerable tribal group belonging to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, so Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the correct answer.