Adivasi

Adivasi is a term used in India to refer to indigenous peoples, communities historically identified as the original inhabitants of a region, maintaining distinct languages, cultures, and social practices. The word Adivasi derives from Sanskrit, meaning original inhabitants. While widely used in everyday language and in political discourse, it does not have a single official legal definition.

In official governance, India classifies certain communities as Scheduled Tribes (STs) under the Constitution, enabling affirmative action and protective measures. The terms Adivasi and ST are not identical in law, but they often overlap in public usage. ST status is accompanied by various constitutional provisions and programs aimed at welfare and development.

Demographics and distribution: India is home to a large and diverse set of Adivasi communities, estimated at around 100 million people, roughly 8–9% of the population, concentrated in central and eastern states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and parts of the northeast. They speak hundreds of languages, including Santali, Mundari, Gondi, Ho, and Bhili, among others.

Culture and livelihoods: Adivasi groups encompass numerous tribes with distinct social structures, art forms, music, and traditional ecological knowledge. Many communities rely on agriculture, forest resources, and artisanal crafts, with languages and practices preserved within communities.

Rights and challenges: Legal protections include ST status, provisions in various schedules and acts, and rights frameworks such as the Forest Rights Act (2006) and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (1996). Challenges include land displacement, recognition of forest rights, access to education and healthcare, poverty, and pressures from mining and development projects.