1. Caste and Economic Inequality

• Caste plays a significant role in economic inequality by regulating access to resources like land and education. ⚖️
• Historically, the ‘untouchable’ castes (Dalits) were denied the right to own land, while only ‘twice-born’ castes had access to education. 📚
• Although formal caste-based inequality has been outlawed, the effects of centuries of accumulated advantages and disadvantages continue to impact society. ⏳
• New forms of inequality have also emerged, highlighting the continued influence of caste in modern India. 🔄

2. Changing Relationship Between Caste and Economic Status

• Over time, the relationship between caste and economic status has evolved, with rich and poor individuals now found across all caste groups. 💰
• Decades ago, it was rare to find wealthy individuals among the ‘lowest’ castes, but today, economic disparities exist in every caste. 💸
• However, caste still plays a significant role in determining economic outcomes for many individuals. ⚖️

3. Economic Status and the Caste Hierarchy

• Despite changes, the economic status (measured by indicators like monthly consumption expenditure) of caste groups largely follows the old caste hierarchy. 📊
• Upper castes tend to have the best economic status, while Dalits and Adivasis continue to experience the most severe economic disadvantages. 🔻
• The backward classes typically fall in between the extremes of the upper and lower caste economic status. 📉

4. Poverty and Caste

• The proportion of people living in extreme poverty (below the official poverty line) is much higher for the lowest castes and much lower for the upper castes. 💔
• Backwards classes again find themselves in between, experiencing higher poverty rates than upper castes but lower than Dalits and Adivasis. 📉

5. Wealth Distribution Across Castes

• Wealth distribution shows a clear disparity, with upper castes being over-represented among the rich, while lower castes are severely under-represented in wealthier categories. 💎
• This economic stratification continues to perpetuate caste-based economic inequalities. 🔑