Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India refer to those indigenous communities that are recognized by the Constitution of India under Article 342 and are provided special safeguards for their social, economic, educational, and cultural development. These communities have historically maintained distinct cultural traditions, social organizations, languages, and close relationships with natural resources. The concept of Scheduled Tribes is primarily a constitutional and administrative category rather than a single cultural identity, as tribal groups differ greatly in their customs, economic activities, and levels of development. The identification of a community as a Scheduled Tribe is based on factors such as geographical isolation, distinctive culture, social and economic backwardness, and traditional characteristics. From the perspective of Population and Settlement Geography, Scheduled Tribes represent an important demographic group because their population distribution, settlement patterns, and interaction with the environment show unique spatial characteristics. According to the Census of India 2011, Scheduled Tribes constitute about 8.6 percent of the total population of India. Their population is unevenly distributed across the country, with significant concentration in specific ecological regions such as forests, hills, plateaus, and remote rural areas. The demographic characteristics of Scheduled Tribes reveal considerable diversity. Tribal populations generally have higher fertility rates compared to many other social groups, although fertility patterns have been changing due to improvements in education, healthcare access, and socio-economic development. Traditionally, tribal communities have experienced higher mortality