India launches Adi Vaani, an AI-powered platform to translate and preserve tribal languages, starting with Santhali, Mundari, Bhili, and Gondi.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs today announced the beta launch of Adi Vaani, India’s first artificial intelligence-powered translator designed specifically for tribal languages. The platform is seen as a landmark step toward preserving the country’s rich linguistic diversity while improving communication and inclusion for tribal communities.
A Digital Lifeline for Tribal Languages
Launched on September 1, the application initially supports four tribal languages—Santhali, Mundari, Bhili, and Gondi—with Kui and Garo currently under development. India is home to 461 tribal languages, of which 81 are considered vulnerable and 42 critically endangered, according to Census 2011 data.
Adi Vaani has been built as an AI-powered platform for translation, transcription, and language learning, helping digitize folklore, oral traditions, and cultural heritage.
App’s Advanced Features
The translator comes equipped with a wide range of advanced features, including real-time text-to-text, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and even speech-to-speech translations. It also integrates Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to digitize manuscripts, ensuring that valuable tribal texts and records can be preserved in digital form.
To support learning and accessibility, the platform offers interactive bilingual dictionaries and curated repositories. In addition, it provides subtitles for government speeches, health advisories, and information on welfare schemes, enabling tribal communities to access crucial updates in their native languages.
The service is currently available as a mobile app on the Play Store, with an iOS version and a dedicated web platform expected to roll out soon.
What Goes Behind the App?
Adi Vaani is being developed under the leadership of IIT Delhi, in partnership with BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Naya Raipur, and several Tribal Research Institutes from Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Meghalaya.
The platform is powered by AI models such as No Language Left Behind (NLLB) and IndicTrans2, tailored for low-resource tribal languages. Notably, the project has relied heavily on community involvement, with tribal institutes and native speakers contributing to data collection and validation.
In Step with India’s National Missions
The project ties into broader government programs such as Digital India, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, and PM JANMAN, emphasizing inclusivity and equitable growth. By digitizing endangered languages, Adi Vaani not only safeguards heritage but also strengthens constitutional values of diversity and equity. It is a great innovation among the best translation apps and a leap forward for India!
