The present paper is an attempt to examine the levels of deprivation of rural people in terms of their access to basic amenities like, housing, drinking water, sanitation etc. And also it evaluates the degree of relative disadvantage of rural people when compared with their urban counterparts....

The present paper makes an attempt to analyse the progress of India in three important ‘basic human needs’ essential for a human life. These are access to latrine facility, safe drinking water and electricity.