© 2024 JETIR November 2024, Volume 11, Issue 11 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162) JETIR2411670 Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR) www.jetir.org g664 Impact of Modern Economic Policies on Traditional Economic Practices of the Didayi Tribe in Malkangiri District of Odisha Jyotiranjan Gudia Ph.D. Research Scholar of Political Science, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, PIN-751024, Odisha, India *Correspondence Author: Jyotiranjan Gudia Abstract: The Didayi tribe in Malkangiri district, Odisha, possesses a rich traditional economic system centered on subsistence agriculture, communal resource management, and barter-based trade. This study examines the impact of modern economic policies, such as industrial development, land acquisition, and employment schemes, on the tribe’s traditional economic practices. The primary objective is to assess how these policies alter the Didayi community’s livelihoods and resource use, shifting reliance from self -sustaining methods to wage labour and market dependency. Findings indicate that while policies like MGNREGA and infrastructure projects introduce financial opportunities, they also disrupt traditional practices, reduce the role of tribal leaders in economic decisions, and heighten vulnerability to market fluctuations. The study concludes that these shifts bring both economic benefits and cultural challenges, underscoring the need for policies that respect traditional practices and promote sustainable development that aligns with the Didayi tribe’s cultural values. Keywords: Modern, Economic, Policy, Traditional, Practice, Didayi. 1. Introduction The Didayi tribe, a small and culturally distinct indigenous community residing in the Malkangiri district of Odisha, India, is renowned for its unique socio-economic practices deeply intertwined with nature and tradition. Their livelihood primarily depends on subsistence agriculture, forest resource gathering, and barter systems, emphasizing self-sufficiency and minimal environmental impact. 1 These practices are guided by community leaders such as the Naik and Chalan, who oversee resource distribution and dispute resolution, ensuring social harmony and collective well-being. The tribe’s economic activities are not merely survival mechanisms but are integral to their cultural identity, reinforcing their shared heritage and connection to ancestral lands. However, this traditional system faces mounting challenges due to external pressures and developmental interventions, which often fail to recognize the delicate balance that sustains such indigenous practices. 2 In the past few decades, modern economic policies implemented across India have sought to promote growth and development in tribal regions. Initiatives such as industrial projects, infrastructure development, agricultural reforms, and employment