India has one of the largest tribal populations in the world. The tribal communities, officially recognized as Scheduled Tribes (STs) under Article 342 of the Constitution of India, represent a distinct segment of the population with unique cultural, linguistic, social, and economic characteristics. Their demographic profile reflects considerable diversity in terms of population size, language, ecology, livelihood, and regional distribution. According to the Census of India 2011, Scheduled Tribes constitute approximately 8.6 percent of the total population, numbering over 104 million people. They are spread across almost all states and union territories except a few regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Puducherry, where no Scheduled Tribes have been officially notified. The demographic profile of tribes is highly heterogeneous. Some tribes have populations exceeding a million, such as the Bhils, Gonds, Santhals, Oraons, and Meenas, while many others are classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), with very small populations and low levels of literacy and economic development. India currently recognizes more than 700 Scheduled Tribe communities, each possessing distinct identities, customs, traditions, and languages. Tribal populations generally reside in rural and forested areas, with a significant proportion