Full formGovernment & Exams
CTBstands forCriminal Tribes Bureau
Full Form of CTB
What is CTB?
The Criminal Tribes Bureau (CTB) was a colonial agency established in British India to implement the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. The bureau was responsible for identifying, registering, and surveilling communities that the British authorities deemed 'criminal tribes' based on their traditional nomadic or itinerant lifestyles. It functioned under the provincial governments and maintained detailed records of individuals and families, restricting their movement and requiring them to report regularly to local police. The CTB played a central role in the systematic marginalization of these communities, including the Denotified and Nomadic Tribes (DNT). The bureau's activities continued until the act was repealed after Indian independence in 1952. Today, the CTB is studied primarily in the context of colonial history, social anthropology, and Indian legal history. It is a topic of relevance for UPSC, state civil services, and law exams, particularly in questions related to social justice, colonial policies, and the rehabilitation of historically disadvantaged groups. The term is also used in academic discussions on caste, tribe, and the legacy of colonial governance in India.
CTB का फुल फॉर्म
आपराधिक जनजाति ब्यूरो
Example
The district magistrate submitted a report to the Criminal Tribes Bureau detailing the movements of the notified community under the 1871 Act.
CTB — frequently asked questions
What is the full form of CTB?
The full form of CTB is the Criminal Tribes Bureau, a colonial agency in British India that administered the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
What was the role of the Criminal Tribes Bureau in India?
The Criminal Tribes Bureau was responsible for identifying, registering, and monitoring communities labeled as 'criminal tribes' under the 1871 Act, restricting their movement and enforcing police surveillance.
Is the Criminal Tribes Bureau still active in India?
No, the Criminal Tribes Bureau ceased to exist after the Criminal Tribes Act was repealed in 1952, and the affected communities were later reclassified as Denotified and Nomadic Tribes.