Adi Vaani bridges language gaps with AI to preserve and empower India's tribal communities

Adi Vaani: India’s First AI-Powered Translator for Tribal Languages

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is set to launch Adi Vaani, India’s first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered translator dedicated to tribal languages. This initiative is focused on preserving the country’s diverse linguistic heritage while empowering tribal communities through improved communication and digital access.

Developed by IIT Delhi, BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, and IIIT Nava Raipur in partnership with Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), Adi Vaani uses AI technology combined with community inputs to bridge language gaps and protect endangered tribal languages.

Supported Languages and Availability

The app will soon be available on the Google Play Store, with an iOS version in development. Initially, it will support four tribal languages:

• Santali (Odisha)
• Bhili (Madhya Pradesh)
• Mundari (Jharkhand)
• Gondi (Chhattisgarh)

Future updates will include additional languages such as Kui and Garo.

Significance of Tribal Languages in India

According to the 2011 Census, Scheduled Tribes in India speak 461 languages and 71 distinct mother tongues. Out of these, 81 are vulnerable and 42 critically endangered. Many tribal languages face extinction due to limited documentation and weak transmission between generations.

Technology Behind Adi Vaani

Adi Vaani employs AI models like No Language Left Behind (NLLB) and IndicTrans2 to enable real-time translation between Hindi, English, and tribal languages. Key features include:

• Text-to-speech conversion
• Speech-to-text input
• Optical character recognition (OCR) to digitize manuscripts and oral traditions

Practical Applications for Government and Tribal Communities

The platform is designed to improve communication within tribal regions by delivering:

• Information on government schemes and welfare programs
• Health advisories, including sickle cell disease prevention
• Subtitles for speeches by the Prime Minister in tribal languages

By digitizing folklore and cultural heritage, Adi Vaani supports education and healthcare initiatives while improving the last-mile delivery of public services in native languages.

A National Mission for Inclusive Governance

The Ministry describes Adi Vaani as a “national mission” to protect tribal identities and promote inclusive governance. This effort aligns with key government programs such as:

• Digital India
• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
• Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan
• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
• PM JANMAN

Through this initiative, India aims to establish itself as a leader in AI-driven preservation of endangered languages.

Government officials working in tribal affairs, education, and public health can leverage Adi Vaani to enhance communication and outreach efforts. This AI translator can serve as an effective tool for ensuring that policies and services reach tribal populations in their native languages.