Parliament Question: Adi-Vaani, AI-Driven Platform for Tribal Languages

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3391 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12th MARCH, 2026 Adi-Vaani, AI-Driven Platform for Tribal Language 3391. Shri Eswarasamy K: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has launched initiatives such as Adi-Vaani, India’s AI- driven platform for tribal language translation and preservation, for documentation and digitalisation of tribal languages and if so, the details of tribal languages preserved, digitised and integrated under the platform, State-wise; (b) whether the Government is aware of the tribal communities in the Pollachi–Anamalai region of the State of Tamil Nadu including Malasar, Malai Malasar, Kadar, Mudugar (Muduvan), Irular and Eravalar and whether their distinct linguistic and cultural traditions are at risk due to lack of systematic documentation; (c) whether any steps have been taken to document and digitise the languages and cultural practices of these communities and if so, the details thereof; and (d) if not, the steps proposed and the timeline for undertaking systematic documentation in the said region? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (TRIBAL AFFAIRS) (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY) (a) Yes. Adi-Vaani is an AI powered translation platform that is also for the documentation and digitalization of tribal languages. Currently, the app and web portal supports the following languages:  Gondi from Chhattisgarh  Mundari from Jharkhand  Bhili from Madhya Pradesh  Santali from Odisha. Two languages, i.e., Kui from Odisha and Garo from Meghalaya are in development phase. In second phase of the project, following seven languages are proposed to be included in Adi Vaani:  Katkari – Maharashtra Koya – Andhra Pradesh  Kokborok – Tripura  Betta Kuruba – Karnataka  Thodou Kuki & Tangkhul – Manipur  Chodri – Gujarat (b) Yes. The Government is aware that the linguistic and cultural traditions of these tribal communities are in flux due to various factors including modernization, socio-economic change etc. (c) & (d) These languages may be considered for inclusion in subsequent phases of the Adi Vaani project, which aims to progressively expand coverage to additional tribal languages across the country for documentation, preservation and digital access. Documentation and digitization activities for the languages of the proposed communities will be undertaken in a phased manner in coordination with the concerned State Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) and the specific timeline will depend on the collaboration with local stakeholders and the scope of field documentation. *****