Caste Inequality in Indian States

Caste is arguably one of the most important factors that determines social and economic outcomes in India. Few studies, however, have systematically examined caste-based inequality comparatively. This note measures contemporary levels of caste inequality in Indian states by conceptualizing equality in three distinct ways: i) equality of outcome, measured through differences in income by caste ii) equality of opportunity, as reflected in caste-based difference in literacy rates, and iii) equality of status, reflected in the prevalence of inter-caste marriage, practices of untouchability, and violence against lower castes. As scholars of social movements predict, I find that the southern states are indeed more egalitarian in most measures of caste-based inequality. But contrary to expectation, the three measures are not highly correlated. A closer interpretation of the results suggests that this discrepancy may be because differences in social transformation across states. Regions where caste-based hierarchy is challenged may reflect higher levels of social conflict