Tribal communities constitute 8.6% of India’s population and face systemic barriers in socio-economic development and cultural preservation. The Deori community in Assam utilises the Deori Autonomous Council (DAC) as a mechanism for localised self-governance. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the DAC’s initiatives in facilitating educational and vocational empowerment. Employing a descriptive-analytical research design, census sampling was utilised to interview all 22 active DAC members in 2025. Statistical analysis reveals a highly significant consensus regarding program effectiveness (\chi^2 = 12.10, p = 0.002), with 59% of members rating initiatives as highly effective. While 280 professional technical seats and civil service scholarships are successfully facilitated through urban-centric collaborations, primary data indicate a 100% absence of vocational training infrastructure within rural village boundaries.

The DAC serves as a vital institutional tool for empowerment; however, the reliance on external urban hubs necessitates out-migration for skill acquisition. Future policies should prioritise localised infrastructure and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems.

Keywords: Deori Autonomous Council, Tribal Education, Vocational Empowerment, Indigenous Communities, Assam.

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