Adolescence (10–19 years) represents a nutritionally sensitive life stage characterized by rapid growth and heightened micronutrient requirements. This analytical study investigates food consumption patterns and dietary knowledge among Scheduled Caste (SC) adolescents in rural India using secondary data from NFHS-5 (2019–21), CNNS (2016–18), and peer-reviewed literature. The findings reveal near-universal cereal consumption (98%), indicating caloric adequacy but limited dietary diversity. Regular intake (≥4 days/week) of pulses is reported by 62% of adolescents, while milk (38%), green leafy vegetables (34%), fruits (29%), and eggs/meat/fish (26%) remain inadequately consumed. Additionally, 41% report frequent intake of packaged or fast foods, reflecting an emerging rural dietary transition. Anaemia prevalence reaches 59% among adolescents in the lowest wealth quintile, with 61% demonstrating low dietary diversity. Although 68% have heard of the balanced diet concept and 64% are aware of iron deficiency as a cause of anaemia, only 34% can correctly identify iron-rich foods and 28% understand iron absorption mechanisms. Maternal education below primary level is associated with reduced adequate nutrition knowledge (31%). The study highlights a significant knowledge–practice gap and establishes that nutritional vulnerability among rural SC adolescents is structurally linked to poverty, limited maternal education, weak institutional engagement, and constrained food environments. Addressing these inequities requires integrated, equity-oriented interventions that combine dietary diversification, strengthened supplementation compliance, school-based nutrition education, and improved access to affordable nutrient-dense foods.