In past decades, the inequality within most advanced and emerging markets and developing countries has increased. A considerable share of the world population still lives in poverty; world income and wealth are very unequally distributed. Inequality and poverty are increasing due to economic growth, globalisation, and changes in technology, labour markets, social protection mechanisms, and demography. Inequality and poverty are complex variables and the gap between the rich and the poor will continue to worsen without a policy or structural intervention.

Inequality is the unique feature of Indian social system which continues in contemporary society. The hierarchies based on caste, class, race, gender, location, language, occupation, physical condition and differential access to resources as well as majority of groups’ denial of basic human rights of resources leads to unequal distribution of wealth, power and status which has created inequality in the society. Inequality is the major challenge to Indian society. 

The present book includes papers on multidisciplinary aspects on inequality and poverty to enhance and share knowledge about various aspects of the development of weaker sections. The trends indicate that the poor and deprived people are far from the mainstream and development in terms of their education, health, empowerment, equality, and other elements of development in the era of globalisation. There is an urgent need to identify the groups that are facing inequality and poverty, then think about the inclusive policy for their overall development. The book will help in policy formulation for upliftment of the poor people in society. 

Introduction / Jagan Karade and Rajendra Patil

1 The Challenge of Economic Inequality / B.L. Mungekar

2 Poverty and Social Inequality in India / R.D. Mourya

3 Structural Constraints in Empowerment of Dalits: Empirical Realities from Tamil Nadu / S. Gurusamy

4 Poverty, Social Marginalisation and Higher Education: A Case Study of Dalit Students in South India / Nagraju Gundemeda

5 Social Exclusions in India Today / Biswajit Ghosh

6 Dominant Castes, Democracy and the Six Deficits of the Indian Nation-State / Anand Kumar

7 Poverty, Social Inequalities and Politics of Development / D. Venkateswaralu

8 Cooperatives and Rural Poor: Issues in Participative Development / Vidyut Joshi

9 Inequality, Poverty and Injustice: Changing Contours and Persistent Patterns / R. Indira

10 Poverty and Social Justice: A Case for Affirmative Action in India / Arvinder Ansari

11 Atrocities: Protest and Justice in Gujarat / M.H. Makwana

Jagan Karade is Professor and Head, Department of Sociology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Maharashtra), is also the Co-ordinator, of UGC-SAP-DRS-Phase  III, and Director, Centre of Study for Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy. Author of four books and seven edited volumes, Dr Karade has completed two Major Research Projects funded by the UGC and ICSSR, New Delhi. He is Board Member, WG-05, Famine and Society, International Sociological Association and is presently Secretary, Indian Sociological Society, New Delhi. He also served as President of Maharashtra Sociological Society.

Rajendra Patil is former Professor and Head, Department of Sociology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Maharashtra). He is also the former Co-ordinator of UGC-SAP-DRS-Phase I and II. He has completed four Major Research Projects funded by the UGC, New Delhi. He has authored two books and edited/co-edited nine volumes. He is the Board Member of Research Committee 41, Sociology of Population, International Sociological Association.