Locating Caste in SDGs: A Critical Analysis of Caste Discrimination and Its Implications for India's Development...

This paper studies the influence of caste discrimination and marginalisation of Dalit and Adivasi communities in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Indian context. This study argues that India cannot fully achieve its SDG commitments without addressing caste-based inequities. It proposes an intersectional approach to SDG implementation by including caste within the development debate to ensure that marginalised communities are integral to India's developmental trajectory. Although caste-based discrimination was declared illegal in 1950, it remains a deeply rooted system of stigmatisation, segregation and exclusion, influencing access to resources, education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Adopted by the UN in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seek to promote inclusive progress by addressing global issues such as poverty, hunger, health, education, inequality and climate change. Informed by the spirit of 'leaving no one behind', the SDGs mention 'race', income, gender, disability, ethnicity, origin, religion and economic or other status. The SDG framework has ignored the caste structure despite SDG-1 (eradicating poverty), SDG-2 (zero hunger), SDG-4 (quality education), SDG-6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG-8 (decent jobs), SDG-10 (reduced disparities) and SDG-16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) are all directly impacted by caste-based exclusion. Marginalised caste groups, constituting more than 25% of India's population, face systemic barriers, including limited access to education and employment, landlessness and economic exploitation. Reports show that Dalits and Adivasis remain among the most economically and socially vulnerable populations.