Paper Details

India’s development journey remains incomplete without addressing the persistent disparities experienced by its tribal communities. Despite constitutional guarantees and targeted welfare schemes, Scheduled Tribes continue to face marginalization in many regions. Odisha, where 22.85% of the population belongs to tribal groups, illustrates this developmental paradox. The Koraput district, with a tribal population of 49.62%, stands out as a key site for investigating grassroots-level challenges. This study presents an in-depth field-based analysis of development gaps affecting the tribal populations in four blocks—Koraput, Jeypore, Semiliguda, and Borigumma. It focuses on eight core sectors: health, education, road and transport, rural housing, irrigation, digital communication, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Using a mixed-methods approach, primary data were gathered from 320 tribal respondents through surveys, interviews, and observations, supported by secondary government sources.Findings reveal serious disparities across service sectors. Health facilities are limited and unevenly distributed. Educational access remains poor, with high dropout rates among girls. Irrigation and rural housing are inadequate. Internet and road connectivity are inconsistent, affecting mobility and access to markets. Agricultural dependency remains high, with limited income alternatives. Government schemes exist, but low awareness and weak institutional coordination hinder their impact. The study hypothesizes that development gaps stem not only from administrative failures but also from systemic neglect of cultural, geographical, and participatory dimensions. It concludes by recommending an integrated development model centered on education, skill development, rural infrastructure, and governance reforms. The research offers a grassroots-informed blueprint for sustainable tribal development in India’s Scheduled Areas.

Tribal Marginalization, Livelihood Resilience, Grassroots Realities, Developmental Disparities, Community-Centric Planning, Transformative Governance.