Abstract: India is home to one of the largest tribal populations in the world. Scheduled Tribes, commonly referred to as Adivasis or tribal communities, constitute a distinct socio-cultural segment of Indian society and have historically lived in close relationship with forests, land, water, and natural resources. Despite their rich cultural heritage and contribution to ecological preservation, tribal communities have long experienced dispossession, marginalisation, economic exploitation, forced displacement, denial of land and forest rights, inadequate access to justice, and under-representation in mainstream governance structures. The Indian Constitution recognises the vulnerability of Scheduled Tribes and provides a range of safeguards designed to protect their educational, economic, political, cultural and territorial rights. In addition to constitutional guarantees, Parliament has enacted specific legislations such as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 to secure the dignity, autonomy, and livelihood of tribal communities.

This research paper examines the legal framework relating to tribal people’s rights and protection in India from a constitutional, statutory and socio-legal perspective. It analyses the meaning and historical evolution of tribal rights, the constitutional safeguards under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, the role of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, the legal recognition of self-governance and forest rights, and the protection against atrocities and exploitation. The paper also critically evaluates the implementation gap between law and practice, especially in matters concerning land alienation, forest rights claims, displacement due to development projects, poor access to education and healthcare, and bureaucratic resistance to community autonomy. The paper argues that while India has one of the most elaborate constitutional and legislative frameworks for tribal protection, effective enforcement remains uneven and often inadequate. The paper concludes with suggestions for strengthening tribal rights through legal literacy, community participation, stronger implementation of PESA and FRA, land restoration mechanisms, gender-sensitive reforms, and greater institutional accountability.

Keywords: Scheduled Tribes, Adivasi rights, tribal protection, Fifth Schedule, Sixth Schedule, PESA, Forest Rights Act, SC/ST Act, land rights, self-governance.