The latest statistics, collated by the ministry of tribal affairs, reveal that out of 45,54,603 claims, 18,01,561 - about 40% have been rejected.
Eleven of 23 states and union territories have rejection rates higher than the national average.
These include Uttarakhand (97.23%), Karnataka (84.9%), Uttar Pradesh (79.75%), Jammu and Kashmir (78.21%), West Bengal (67.98%), Bihar (52.54%), Madhya Pradesh (51.43%), Rajasthan (52.94%), Telangana (45.62%), Chhattisgarh (42.99%) and Tamil Nadu (39.64%).
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 gives the tribals residing in a place the right over their land through formal pattas.