Nomadic and semi-nomadic groups in India, often categorized as Denotified Tribes (DNTs) and Nomadic Tribes (NTs), are communities that traditionally move from place to place in search of livelihood, which could be pastoralism, hunting-gathering, trading, performing arts, or specialized craftsmanship. Semi-nomadic groups maintain a more fixed base but still undertake seasonal migrations. These communities face a unique and severe set of problems due to their mobile lifestyle and historical marginalization:

1. Loss of Traditional Livelihoods: Modernization, urbanization, industrialization, changes in land use patterns, and stringent forest laws have severely impacted their traditional occupations. For instance, pastoralists lose grazing lands, traditional performers face competition from modern entertainment, and artisans struggle against mass-produced goods. This leads to economic distress and forces them into precarious wage labour.
2. Lack of Land and Housing: Due to their mobile nature, most nomadic groups lack permanent land ownership or housing. This makes them vulnerable to eviction, denies them access to basic amenities (water, sanitation, electricity), and excludes them from government welfare schemes that often require a fixed address.
3. Social Exclusion and Discrimination: Historically, these groups have been marginalized and often viewed with suspicion or prejudice by settled communities. Many were branded as 'criminal tribes' under the colonial Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, a stigma that continues to affect them, leading to social discrimination, harassment, and denial of opportunities.
4. Lack of Identity Documents: Their frequent movement makes it extremely difficult to obtain essential identity documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, voter IDs, and birth certificates. Without these, they are unable to access government welfare schemes, education, healthcare, and other fundamental rights.
5. Poor Access to Education: Children of nomadic groups often miss out on formal education due to constant movement, lack of schools in their temporary settlements, and cultural barriers. This perpetuates illiteracy and limits their future opportunities, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.
6. Health Disparities: Limited access to healthcare facilities, poor sanitation, lack of awareness, and inadequate nutrition lead to higher rates of illness, malnutrition, and lower life expectancy among these communities.
7. Poverty and Indebtedness: The loss of traditional livelihoods, lack of assets, and exploitation by middlemen push them into chronic poverty and indebtedness, often leading to bonded labour.
8. Political Underrepresentation: Their dispersed and mobile nature makes political organization difficult, leading to a lack of representation and voice in policy-making processes, further exacerbating their marginalization.
9. Cultural Erosion: Modernization and pressure to assimilate into settled society threaten their unique cultural practices, languages, oral traditions, and traditional knowledge systems, leading to a loss of distinct identity.
10. Lack of Reliable Data: Due to their mobility and historical neglect, accurate demographic data on these groups is often scarce, making it challenging for the government to formulate and implement targeted welfare policies and development programs.

Addressing these complex issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes securing land rights, providing identity documents, ensuring access to education and healthcare, promoting culturally sensitive livelihood options, and actively combating social discrimination and historical stigmas.