The Beta Version of Adi Vaani has been launched as India’s first AI-powered translation platform for tribal languages. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs unveiled this tool to support language preservation and connect remote communities.
The launch event was held in New Delhi as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh celebrations. Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey led the ceremony. He highlighted that language is the foundation of cultural identity and that this tool will help bridge gaps in communication for tribal communities.
Adi Vaani is designed to translate in real time, both in text and speech, between Hindi, English and selected tribal languages. It will also digitise folklore, oral traditions and cultural heritage, making them accessible for the next generation.
This AI tool has been created by a national consortium led by IIT Delhi, with support from BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Nava Raipur and several State Tribal Research Institutes. The Beta version currently supports Santali, Bhili, Mundari and Gondi, with more languages under development.
The platform aims to make education, healthcare and governance more inclusive by delivering key messages in native languages. It will also provide interactive learning tools and help tribal entrepreneurs reach wider audiences.
According to the Ministry, Adi Vaani has been developed at nearly one-tenth the cost of commercial solutions. It is built with authentic linguistic data and includes a feedback system to ensure continuous improvement through community participation.
The tool aligns with national missions like Digital India and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. It is expected to empower over 20 lakh tribal leaders and contribute to an inclusive and knowledge-driven India by 2047.The Beta version is now live on https://adivaani.tribal.gov.in. The mobile app will soon be available on both Android and iOS platforms.
