In a human population, the term “marginalised” refers to individuals or groups who are systematically pushed to the edges of social, economic, political, and cultural life, resulting in limited access to resources, opportunities, rights, and decision-making power. Marginalisation is not merely a condition of poverty or disadvantage but a dynamic process rooted in unequal power relations, social hierarchies, historical discrimination, and structural barriers. Marginalised populations experience exclusion from mainstream development and are often unable to fully participate in or benefit from social institutions such as education, healthcare, employment, housing, and governance. This condition is reinforced by social norms, legal frameworks, market forces, and institutional practices that privilege certain groups while disadvantaging others. In India, marginalisation is deeply shaped by the country’s complex social structure, historical legacies, and patterns of development. Several groups constitute the marginalised population, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), religious minorities, women, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, urban poor, elderly people, sexual minorities, and people living in remote or conflict-affected regions. These groups are not homogeneous, and individuals may face multiple and overlapping forms of marginalisation based on caste, class, gender, religion, region, and disability, a phenomenon often described as intersectionality. Scheduled Castes, historically referred to as Dalits, form one of the most marginalised groups in India. Their marginalisation is rooted in the caste system, which assigned them the lowest status and associated them with occupations considered impure. Despite constitutional safeguards and affirmative action policies, SCs continue to face social exclusion, discrimination, and violence. Forms of exclusion include segregation in housing and villages, denial of access to common resources such as water sources and temples, discrimination in schools and workplaces, and limited representation in positions of power. Economic exclusion is evident in their concentration in low-paying, insecure, and hazardous jobs, while social stigma continues to restrict social mobility. Scheduled Tribes, or Adivasis, constitute another highly marginalised group. Their marginalisation stems from historical isolation, displacement, and neglect, as well as the exploitation