The study examines the occupational patterns of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in Mandai Block, West Tripura, with special focus on the role of education, income, and gender in shaping occupational opportunities. The study seeks to identify the major occupations of men and women in the study area, and it also analyses whether gender roles and education contribute to occupational segregation and income levels among the ST population. Although several studies have discussed gender wage gaps and occupational segregation, most of them have analysed these issues separately. Very few studies have examined how education, occupation, and rural differences together influence gender inequality, especially in tribal rural areas. Earlier studies mostly relied on secondary data and paid limited attention to the social and structural barriers that continue to restrict women’s occupational opportunities. To address these gaps, the present study uses both the primary and secondary data. The Duncan Index of Dissimilarity has been applied to measure the educational and income level disparity and the simple percentage method has been used to analyse the occupational segregation. The findings reveals that both men and women are engaged in several occupational activities with women mainly concentrated in lower-paying and less secure jobs. The study further shows that education alone is not enough to ensure gender equality in occupation and income. It highlights how deep-rooted structural, socio-economic and cultural barriers continue to hold back and limit women’s opportunities and also men to some extent. There are exceptions in a few occupations like rubber trading business, tuition teacher, pharmacy assistant, constable, market gardener, and water supply operator, where equal participation of men and women is observed. In occupations like weaving, which is considered a female-oriented job, male participation is noticeable, while in carpentry, which is considered a male-oriented job, women’s participation is seen. This indicates a gradual shift in traditional gender roles, but several high-paying and stable occupations within the study area are still dominated by males. The study highlights the need for more female-focused occupational opportunities, the reduction of gender stereotypes, and the creation of conditions to achieve gender equality in the study area.