| Group: | Yerukala |
| Total: | 519,337 |
| Total Year: | 2011 census |
| Popplace: | Andhra Pradesh (Majority), Tamil Nadu, Telangana |
| Languages: | Yerukala |
| Related: | Soliga, Tamil, Irula, Koravar, Kaikadis |
Yerukala or Erukala or Erukula is a tribal community primarily found in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.[1] The population of Yerukala tribes according to 2011 census is 519,337. The total literacy rate among Yerukula is 48.12%. Most live in southern Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, with a smaller minority in districts of Telangana. Their native language is Yerukala, but most have shifted to Telugu. They were vilified in British sources for being habitual criminals,[2] and so were placed under Criminal Tribes Act, although they were underrepresented in the population of criminals and were most likely targeted for their nomadic lifestyle.[3]