Regional Development in India

Abstract

Uneven regional growth has been a major area of concern to the economic thinkers worldwide, especially in the last quarter of the twentieth century. In spite of introducing the objective of balanced economic development, India is still characterized by wide difference in economic, political, social and regional aspect. After achieving a significant progress in economic growth and human development, it is still categorized as a country with the largest number of poor and destitute in the world. It also accounts for the largest number of illiterates; the largest number of unemployed, the largest number of anemic women and children and high infant/child and maternal mortality. In a country like India, creating a condition for greater economic convergence across the states and skill groups is a big challenge. Under this backdrop, this chapter provides an overview about the nature of development disparities prevailing in a country like India and its associated problems.