Regional and Social Dimensions of Inequality in India: Evidence from NSS Data, 2002–2012

This paper analyses inequality in India by considering religion, caste, and region, using consumption data from successive rounds of the National Sample Survey. Gini coefficients are estimated for Hindus, Muslims, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes at both national and state levels. The findings show that Hindus experience persistently higher inequality, while Muslims, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes tend to be more homogeneous. Although inequality declined slightly during a decade marked by economic growth and welfare expansion, pronounced disparities remain across states. Southern and western states display relatively high inequality, whereas Bihar, Assam, and much of the Northeast show lower and more stable patterns. Differences between religious groups shift depending on local social and economic structures. Results highlight India’s multidimensional inequality and emphasize the need for policies that integrate growth with identity-sensitive, region-specific approaches to address persistent distributional divides.