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Synopsis The scheduled castes constitute as one of the most disadvantaged groups in Indian society. They are stigmatized people and, on this account, suffer from numerous disabilities which are regulated through religious beliefs and practices. Some of the common features among them are untouchability, low economic status, segregation, lack of political power, low level of literacy and social mobility. All together reinforce the wretched condition of the scheduled castes. More than 85 per cent population of scheduled castes in India is engaged in primary sector, particularly agriculture. Their proportion as agricultural labourers is considerably higher than the general population. The present study focusses on the impact of different government schemes of rural development on the scheduled caste population.