Synopsis This study intends to evaluate the real socio-economic needs of the tribals. The programmes of tribal development require financial resources, a major part of which is supposed to be contributed by the financial institutions. The suitability of the provision of institutional credit for the socio-economic development of tribals has therefore been addressed while planning this study. A massive field survey carried out in an overwhelming tribal dominated region has provided very useful inputs on which this study is based. The study has been divided in nine chapters. Based on the analysis of the substantial quantitative data and other significant findings arrived at, the author has offered certain conclusions and suggestions which will be very interesting and useful for those who are working in the areas of tribal and rural development and also for policy makers.