The term indigenous generally refers to people who are the original inhabitants of a particular geographical region and who have maintained distinct social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that differentiate them from dominant populations. Indigenous communities trace their historical continuity to pre-colonial or pre-settler societies and possess a strong attachment to ancestral lands, natural resources, customary laws and traditional institutions. Their identity is closely linked with territory, language, kinship systems and spiritual beliefs rooted in nature. In many parts of the world, indigenous peoples have experienced marginalization, displacement, cultural erosion and economic exploitation due to colonization, modernization and state expansion. However, they have also demonstrated resilience by preserving traditional knowledge systems, ecological wisdom and collective forms of living that emphasize harmony with nature. In the global context, organizations such as the United Nations recognize indigenous peoples as communities with historical continuity with pre-invasion societies and distinct identities that they seek to preserve and transmit to future generations. The adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007 marked a significant step in acknowledging their rights to self-determination, land, culture, language and development according to their own priorities. Although the term “indigenous” is internationally used, in India the term “tribe” is more commonly applied, and constitutionally recognized tribal groups are referred to as Scheduled Tribes. A tribe may be defined as a social group characterized by a common territory, shared language, cultural homogeneity, endogamy, common ancestry and a sense of unity. Tribes generally have a simple social organization based on kinship ties, clan structures and customary leadership. They often inhabit geographically isolated regions such as forests, hills, deserts or islands, which historically limited their interaction with mainstream populations. Tribal societies traditionally depend on subsistence activities such as hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation, pastoralism and small-scale agriculture. Their economy is often community-oriented rather than market-driven, and property may be collectively owned or regulated by customary norms. Culturally, tribes possess distinct languages or dialects, folklore, music, dance, rituals and belief systems. Religion among tribal communities may involve animism, ancestor worship and reverence for natural forces