mortality rates. While there is usually merit in undertaking such analyses, we show that for mortality rates of ST children, the disaggregation is even more instructive. We focus on the magnitude of age specific differences, the trends over time and the major explanatory factors invoked to explain these differences.

**Data and Methods:** As pointed out earlier, this paper is part of ongoing work on poverty and social exclusion and we use some of the analysis undertaken previously from the National Sample Survey 61<sup>st</sup> Round (2004-05). But for the bulk of the analysis we rely on data from three rounds of the National Family and Health Survey (1992, 1998 and 2005).   Outcomes of course vary by states and it is essential to keep that caveat in mind. Again, not in all states are STs the worst off. The Scheduled Castes fare worse in some of the Northern states. Also, aggregate data do not let us analyze outcomes below the state level. It is well known for instance that there is substantial diversity among Scheduled Tribes even within states. This heterogeneity is known more through anthropological and other qualitative studies. While extremely compelling, such studies have lacked statistical precision or have generated results that are limited to one tribe, village or state and which cannot be generalized.

We use a variety of statistical methods to take a closer look at patterns of child mortality for tribal and non-tribal children. Most of the results reported here are for rural areas, since that is where the majority of tribals reside and where the majority of child deaths take place. In addition, we show elsewhere that tribals who live in urban areas have a different socioeconomic profile than those in rural areas (see Das, Hall, Kapoor and Nikitin, 2010).

Our paper attempts to provide a comprehensive and nationally representative picture of agespecific child mortality differentials by tribal status. In addition we try and separate out the trends in mortality of children as well. Finally, we also report the correlates of mortality at different ages, after controlling for a range of maternal and household characteristics. While we build on the vast academic and activist literature on tribals, this is by no means a complete review or a comprehensive analysis of all issues involved.

# **1.  CHILD MORTALITY DIFFERENTIALS**

India’s child health indicators have shown considerable improvement between 1992 and 2005, as indicated in the National Family and Health Surveys (NFHS). Infant mortality has declined from 78 to 57 deaths per 1000 live births and under-five mortality from 109 to 74 deaths per 1000 live births. However under-five mortality levels among tribal children remain startlingly high (at 96 deaths per 1000 live births). This section documents some patterns in tribal childhood mortality in comparison with other groups in India.

**Scheduled Tribes make up 8 to 9 percent of the population, but account for about 14 percent of all under-five deaths, and 23 percent of deaths in the 1-4 age group in rural areas** .  Since the majority of deaths among tribal children are concentrated in the 1-4 age group (see Figure 1), in this age group, tribal deaths account for almost - a quarter of all deaths.  For all

Infant mortality (1qo)- probability of dying before the first birthday; Child mortality (4q1) - probability of dying between the first and fifth birthdays; and, under-5 mortality (5qo)- probability of dying before the fifth birthday.

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