Adivasi communities in the Dandakaranya region of Central India. Despite the region’s abundant natural resources, tribal populations continue to experience socio-economic marginalization characterized by poverty, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and insufficient employment opportunities. The growing uncertainty of agriculture due to rainfall dependency, declining productivity, and recurrent droughts has further intensified the need for migration as a means of economic survival. Migration patterns in the region are shaped by a combination of structural push and pull factors. Limited livelihood opportunities, low agricultural returns, and economic vulnerability compel tribal households to seek employment outside their native villages, while higher wages and greater job availability in urban and industrial centers act as strong attractions. Consequently, it has become a widespread phenomenon affecting a substantial proportion of tribal households. The economic profile of migrant families reflects their vulnerability. Most households rely on rain-fed agriculture, possess limited productive land, and supplement their livelihoods through wage labour, forest-based activities, and public employment programs. However, inadequate access to institutional credit often forces them to depend on informal lenders, increasing their risk of indebtedness and economic exploitation.