Abstract
This contribution makes the 20th part of the Social Change Indicators series. In this analysis, we attempt to compare aspects of social and economic attainments for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes across states in India.
According to the Census 2011, the groups of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) constituted about 19, 11, and 45 per cent, respectively, of India’s total population. More recent estimates, from the results of the National Family Health Survey ((NFHS), 5th round, 2019–2021) for SC, ST, and OBC household heads are 21.7, 9.5, and 41.7 per cent, respectively, of total households disaggregated over caste and tribe during 2019–2021. Owing to historical and contemporary discriminations, these groups have lagged behind other sections of the population in terms of development indicators. The SC, ST, and OBC groups have also not benefitted equally from policies over the previous decades. In recent times, aspects of ‘social inclusion’ have gained attention due to a growing focus on various socio-economic development indicators. It is acknowledged that these vulnerable groups not only lack the adequate endowment or livelihood that puts them at higher risk of falling into poverty, but also suffer lack of access to quality education, health, basic amenities, and jobs. It is clear that unequal opportunities and social exclusion undermine the effectiveness of social policy in developing economies unless policies address the specific nature of discrimination and deprivation faced by these groups.
In this part of the Social Change Indicators series, we first present the distribution of SC, ST, and OBC households for different states in Table 1. Subsequently, the percentage of population from different castes and tribes that are attending school in major states of India are presented in Figures 1–3. The median number of years of schooling completed as well as the literacy level of population from different castes and tribes with gendered disaggregation are provided in Figures 4 and 5, respectively, at the all-India level. The differences in the infant mortality rates across SC, ST, OBC, and other social groups in the rural and urban areas of India are shown in Figure 6. Consequently, the rankings of underweight children (weight for age) for different social groups are provided in Figures 7–9. The indicators of worker–population ratio (age: 15-plus) in different social groups are forwarded in Figure 10. The incidence of indebtedness (percentage of indebted household) disaggregated over castes and tribes as well as areas of residence are presented in Figure 11. Finally, the percentage of population from different social groups that belongs to the lowest income quintile at the all-India level are provided in Figure 12.
Per Cent Distribution of Households by Caste and Tribe of Household Heads, 2019–2021.
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2022).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2022).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2022).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2022).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2022).
Source: Government of India (2023).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2022).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2021).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2021).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2021).
Source: Government of India (2023).
Source: Government of India (2021).
Source: International Institute for Population Sciences (2022).
Footnotes
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.