• Subhash Motiram Shengale
• Dr. Vaidehi Kamath

This study examines the socio-economic status of tribal households in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district through a multidimensional lens covering demographics, education, housing, documentation, and welfare access. Primary survey evidence from 123 households indicates a predominantly male respondent profile (91.1%), low formal educational attainment (nearly two-thirds up to 9th/10th-12th fail or uneducated), and housing that is mostly semi-pucca (56.9%), with a smaller share in pucca houses (29.3%) and a vulnerable minority in kaccha dwellings (13.8%). Essential identity and land records show strong coverage, ration cards (98.4%), caste certificates (82.1%), and 7/12 land documents (90.2%), which can enable access to schemes. Ration card types suggest a sizable BPL presence (61.0%), pointing to persistent income constraints. Social group composition is mixed, with notable representation of Open (36.6%) and ST (39.0%) categories. Together, these indicators reveal progress in basic documentation and incremental housing improvement, but continuing gaps in education and economic security. Interpreting these findings alongside the broader literature on Gadchiroli, marked by forest-based livelihoods, subsistence agriculture, geographic isolation, and uneven last-mile delivery, the study underscores that entitlements under PESA/FRA and state welfare can translate into tangible gains only when paired with livelihood diversification, skills, women’s asset ownership, and community-led governance. The analysis positions Gram Sabha institutions, SHGs, and local cooperatives as levers to strengthen resilience, while targeted actions in education (especially post-primary retention), nutrition and health services, and climate-resilient livelihood support remain critical. By documenting both structural constraints and local capacities, the study offers evidence to recalibrate policies toward inclusive, culturally grounded development pathways in tribal Gadchiroli.

Tribal livelihoods; Socio-economic status; Gadchiroli (Maharashtra); PESA/FRA entitlements.

"A Study on the Socio-Economic Status of Tribal Communities in Gadchiroli District", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no.e160-e166, January-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601423.pdf

"A Study on the Socio-Economic Status of Tribal Communities in Gadchiroli District", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no. ppe160-e166, January-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601423.pdf