Since India’s independence, the Census has detailed the profiles of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) along with their Jati. However, data regarding Upper Castes and Otherwise Backward Classes (OBCs) has been lacking since the 1931 Census, which pegged OBCs at 52% of the population. Current policies still rely on this antiquated data, spurring a debate on whether an updated national caste Census could enhance affirmative action or lead to increased social tensions.
Our analysis, drawing from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS), National Sample Survey (NSS), and Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), demonstrates that caste remains significant in shaping economic transitions at the household level. Focusing on broader caste categories—Others, OBC, SC, and ST—we explore how households’ sources of income evolved in a rapidly progressing economy, potentially creating new livelihood opportunities.
In this study, we categorise income sources into five groups: Agriculture Self-Employment (ASE), lower-tier, business, upper-tier, and others, with each representing various livelihood types, primarily from the unorganised sector. By analysing per capita annual consumption expenditure across these categories, we uncover a pattern of economic vulnerability tied to income sources.
Our findings indicate households relying on lower-tier income sources and ASE faced the lowest per capita consumption expenditures in both 2005 and 2011. Interestingly, while those engaged in upper-tier incomes exhibited the highest expenditures in 2005, this shifted, with business incomes leading in 2011, highlighting the fluidity and challenges of economic stability for different caste groups.
This article examines the economic transitions in Indian households from 2005 to 2012, focusing on the enduring influence of caste on livelihoods. It analyses data from multiple surveys, revealing patterns of vulnerability and fluidity among income sources across SC, ST, OBC, and Others. The findings indicate that caste continues to dictate economic opportunities and consumption patterns, with significant disparities persisting among different social groups.
Caste dynamics remain intricately woven into the fabric of household income transitions in India. The data from 2005 to 2012 illustrates that inequalities persist, with the ‘Others’ group experiencing more upward transitions compared to SC and ST groups. This analysis shows the enduring impact of caste on economic livelihoods, reinforcing or undermining existing hierarchies as households navigate their economic realities.
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