Caste at Birth? Redefining Disparity in India
15 Pages Posted: 29 Jan 2016
Date Written: February 2001
Abstract
Using household information in the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) 1992/93 data, this paper examines regional variations in intercaste disparity in India. Based on five variables that are indicators of the standard of living of the three major caste/tribe groups identifiable in the data, a “caste deprivation index” is constructed that can be reversed to read as a “caste development index.” Mapping the regional variation in this index, the paper makes a plea for focusing on caste as an essential ingredient in the study of stratification patterns in India’s population.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Deshpande, Ashwini, Caste at Birth? Redefining Disparity in India (February 2001). Review of Development Economics, Vol. 5, Issue 1, pp. 130-144, 2001, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2724268 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-9361.00112
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Feedback
Feedback to SSRN
If you need immediate assistance, call 877-SSRNHelp (877 777 6435) in the United States, or +1 212 448 2500 outside of the United States, 8:30AM to 6:00PM U.S. Eastern, Monday - Friday.