Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Odisha are mostly dependent on agriculture and forest-based resources for their subsistence. Due to insufficient opportunities in tribal areas, these communities often face socio-economic exclusion and are affected by extreme poverty. In this context, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a prominent social welfare scheme that aims to improve the livelihood security of the marginalized sections. The scheme provides job options in several sectors, including forestry, infrastructure development, construction, horticulture, animal husbandry, agriculture and so on. Based on the review of relevant literature as well as information through primary sources, this article aims to explore the social inclusion of the ST people through MGNREGA in the context of Odisha. It focuses on exclusion and challenges faced by ST workers. The findings of different studies reveal that MGNREGA has a positive impact on livelihood divergence among ST households during lean agricultural seasons. However, the scheme’s full potential to improve the livelihood of the ST population is hampered by various exclusionary factors. The article also focuses on policy concerns with some recommendations for the inclusion of ST communities that can enable them in availing the benefits of the scheme.
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