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UPSC Prelims 1999 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
The tribal population in Andaman and Nicobar Islands belongs to the:
- (a) Australoid race
- (b) Caucasoid race
- (c) Mongoloid race
- (d) Negroid race
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Negroid race
The Andaman tribes (Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese) belong to the Negrito (Negroid) type.
The idea
The Andaman and Nicobar island groups have distinct indigenous communities. Older exam material grouped them using broad physical labels, which are not modern biological divisions. The geographical distinction matters: a label applied to some Andaman communities cannot describe all communities across both island groups.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Australoid is the central Indian type.
(c) The Nicobarese (Shompen) are Mongoloid — but the Andaman tribes are Negrito.
The trap
Nicobar ≠ Andaman: Nicobarese are Mongoloid.
Also know
Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese belong to the Andaman group. Nicobarese and Shompen belong to the Nicobar group. Language families, community identity and older physical classifications are separate ideas; do not use one as a substitute for another.
🔒 Andaman = Negrito · Nicobar = Mongoloid.
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