Seven Decades of Freedom, Still Shackled: The Silent Struggle of Scheduled Castes in India

As India marks its 75th year of independence, the grim reality persists for a significant portion of its population—the Scheduled Castes (SCs). Despite the constitutional safeguards designed to uplift the marginalized and affirmative action policies, the socio-economic divide between Scheduled Castes and the General Category continues to widen. Caste-based discrimination, though condemned on paper, remains deeply entrenched in society, and it is now a matter of urgent national concern. The government must act decisively—not just through words, but through transformative actions that will address the root causes of this systemic inequality.

EDUCATION: A Broken Ladder

Education is the key to breaking the shackles of oppression, yet for SCs, the journey through the education system remains perilous. In 1951, the literacy rate for SCs was a mere 6%. While this has improved to 66% as per the Census 2011, it still lags behind the 73% national average and the 80% literacy rate for the General Category.

Even more alarming is the high dropout rate among SC students, particularly after Class 10. The National Sample Survey 75th Round reveals that only 7.2% of SCs in the 20–34 age group hold a graduate degree, compared to 12.5% among the General Category. The gap in postgraduate and professional education is even wider.

The reasons behind this disparity are clear: economic hardship, discriminatory school environments, and a lack of proper mentorship and support systems. Without comprehensive reforms and targeted interventions, SC students will continue to be denied the tools they need to succeed.

The Solution: It is imperative for the government to invest heavily in a national mission focused on SC higher education. This mission should include mentorship programs, scholarships, strong anti-discrimination enforcement, and a focused infrastructural push in SC-majority districts. The government must ensure that the benefits of affirmative action are fully realized in the education system.

EMPLOYMENT: Locked Out of Opportunity

Despite reservations, the representation of SCs in government services—especially in higher echelons—remains disproportionately low compared to their population share. The Department of Personnel and Training’s data from 2020 reveals that SCs hold only 16.6% of total government positions across all categories, while their population share is approximately 20%. Representation in higher-level Group A positions is particularly dismal, where SCs account for just 14% of the workforce.

The private sector tells an even starker story. A mere 0.45% of SC households have a member employed in salaried private jobs, compared to over 9% of General Category households. A vast majority of SC workers continue to be confined to low-paying, unskilled, and hazardous labor.

The Solution: The government must not only enforce reservation policies but also actively incentivize the private sector to hire diversely. Further, robust skill development programs must be introduced for SC youth, and compliance with reservation laws should be monitored and enforced strictly. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure equal opportunity in both the public and private sectors.

ECONOMIC DISPARITY: Generations of Exclusion

The economic divide between SCs and the General Category is both wide and deep. According to the 2018 All India Debt and Investment Survey, the average value of assets held by SC households is ₹2.2 lakh, compared to ₹10.9 lakh for General Category households—five times lower. Over 45% of SC households are landless, compared to just 17% among General Category households. This lack of land and productive assets, combined with restricted access to capital and markets, has kept SCs in a cycle of poverty.

The India Human Development Survey also reveals that the average per capita consumption expenditure of SCs is nearly 30% lower than that of General Category households, further demonstrating the economic deprivation faced by the community.

The Solution: The government must implement a Scheduled Castes Economic Empowerment Act, focusing on land redistribution reforms, prioritizing sector lending for SC entrepreneurs, and providing tax incentives for businesses investing in Dalit-majority areas. Economic empowerment for SCs must be placed at the forefront of policy reform.

ATROCITIES AND DISCRIMINATION: An Unhealed Wound

Caste-based violence is not just a historical relic; it continues to be a horrific reality in 21st century India. In 2021 alone, over 50,000 crimes against SCs were reported. This includes physical violence, sexual assault, and even murder—all for the 'crime' of asserting their rights or breaking caste-based norms. Conviction rates for atrocities against SCs remain appallingly low, and there is widespread underreporting due to fear of retaliation and the lack of trust in law enforcement.

The Solution: The government must take immediate action to create fast-track atrocity courts in every district, ensuring timely justice for SC victims. The police and judiciary must undergo caste-sensitivity training, and an independent body comprising Dalit civil society leaders must be established to monitor and oversee atrocities and cases of discrimination.

THE PATH FORWARD: Radical Empathy, Not Charity

The persistence of caste-based inequality is not a problem for Dalits alone; it is a national crisis that requires immediate and sustained intervention. The government must move beyond tokenism and address the structural inequities that perpetuate caste-based discrimination. Policy solutions must focus on empowerment, not charity, and structural inclusion must replace mere symbolic representation.

The systemic inequalities between SCs and the General Category are not an accident—they are the result of centuries of historical exclusion and discrimination. These gaps will not close without substantial, bold, and sustained government intervention.

The government has a constitutional obligation to ensure equality for all citizens. This obligation demands immediate action: from enforcement of existing laws to implementing new policies that prioritize the upliftment of Dalits. We do not need more committees or studies; we need action—now.

The nation must rise to fulfill the promise of its Constitution, and the government must take responsibility for making that promise a reality for the Dalit community.

- A finance graduate and certified researcher, the author examines contemporary caste dynamics through empirical and policy-based insights.

Sources of Information

1. Census 2011 – Government of India. Data on literacy rates and demographic statistics.

2. National Sample Survey 75th Round – Government of India. Data on educational attainment and dropout rates.

3. India Human Development Survey (IHDS) – National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and University of Maryland. Data on per capita consumption and economic disparities.

4. Department of Personnel and Training, 2020 – Data on government employment, representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Group A, Group B, and other categories.

5. All India Debt and Investment Survey (AIDIS), 2018 – National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). Data on asset ownership and wealth distribution.

6. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 2021 – Data on crimes committed against Scheduled Castes and conviction rates.

7. The Hindu, "Myths and Misconceptions About Caste" – Article debunking myths around affirmative action and reservation systems.

8. Economic Survey of India (2019-2020) – Government of India. Data on economic indicators and disparities between SCs and General Category populations.

9. The World Bank Report on India’s Economic Mobility (2020) – Global insights into economic mobility and disparities within Indian society.