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As a consequence of government’s reservation policy, Scheduled Castes have acquired higher education and thereafter achieved dignified and qualified designations at a higher level, both in government and non-government sectors.

This generation of elites comprising of intellectual, administrative, professional and political elites have migrated to urban areas and have evolved a unique position in the social and cultural fabric of upper caste society.

These Scheduled Castes living in the upper caste society have placed themselves in the upper and middle social classes in order to raise their status in the caste hierarchy. This change is very important for social as well as national integration. They are adopting the sociocultural pattern on an individual or on social level and their interaction patterns have also changed compared to patterns followed earlier.

This study of urban centres in Maharashtra tries to analyse the attitude of Scheduled Caste elites and their social, economic and cultural interactions with upper castes and other non-Scheduled Castes. These highly educated Scheduled Castes have alienated themselves from their relatives who are still below poverty line, as a result their social differences are increasing fast.

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Review of Literature. 3. Profile of Maharashtra, Selected Cities and Methodology. 4. Social Attitude of the Scheduled Castes’ Elite. 5. Social Interaction Patterns of Scheduled Castes. 6. Conclusion.