Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, India

This study examines the developmental trajectory of Indigenous-majority regions in Odisha, India, from 1994 to 2021, against the backdrop of persistent concerns over Indigenous marginalization. Despite constitutional safeguards and targeted policy interventions, Indigenous communities, constituting...

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Main Authors: Laxmikanta Gual, Amarendra Das
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125006229
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author Laxmikanta Gual
Amarendra Das
author_facet Laxmikanta Gual
Amarendra Das
author_sort Laxmikanta Gual
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the developmental trajectory of Indigenous-majority regions in Odisha, India, from 1994 to 2021, against the backdrop of persistent concerns over Indigenous marginalization. Despite constitutional safeguards and targeted policy interventions, Indigenous communities, constituting nearly one-fourth of Odisha's population, continue to face severe socioeconomic disadvantages. Using district-level data, Composite Development Indices (CDIs) are constructed from 11 consistent socioeconomic indicators to analyze patterns of regional development and disparity over nearly three decades. Sigma and beta convergence analyses are employed to evaluate long-term trends in disparity, and the Group-Averaged Score Difference Method (GASDM) is used to identify key drivers of convergence or divergence. The findings reveal a persistent development gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous districts, with seven of the eight Indigenous-majority districts still classified as less or least developed. Critical deficits remain in literacy, road connectivity, and irrigation. These disparities are shaped by structural constraints such as colonial legacies, weak institutions, and governance failures. The study underscores the need for institutional reforms and targeted investments to promote inclusive development, aligning with the United Nations' “Leave No One Behind” agenda.
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spelling doaj-art-c76aa5e6096f4f20b50aefe2422b742e2025-08-25T04:14:46ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011210189410.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101894Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, IndiaLaxmikanta Gual0Amarendra Das1Corresponding author.; DST Centre for Policy Research, School of Humanities and Social Science, National Institute of Science Education and Research Bhubaneswar, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, 752050, Mumbai, IndiaDST Centre for Policy Research, School of Humanities and Social Science, National Institute of Science Education and Research Bhubaneswar, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, 752050, Mumbai, IndiaThis study examines the developmental trajectory of Indigenous-majority regions in Odisha, India, from 1994 to 2021, against the backdrop of persistent concerns over Indigenous marginalization. Despite constitutional safeguards and targeted policy interventions, Indigenous communities, constituting nearly one-fourth of Odisha's population, continue to face severe socioeconomic disadvantages. Using district-level data, Composite Development Indices (CDIs) are constructed from 11 consistent socioeconomic indicators to analyze patterns of regional development and disparity over nearly three decades. Sigma and beta convergence analyses are employed to evaluate long-term trends in disparity, and the Group-Averaged Score Difference Method (GASDM) is used to identify key drivers of convergence or divergence. The findings reveal a persistent development gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous districts, with seven of the eight Indigenous-majority districts still classified as less or least developed. Critical deficits remain in literacy, road connectivity, and irrigation. These disparities are shaped by structural constraints such as colonial legacies, weak institutions, and governance failures. The study underscores the need for institutional reforms and targeted investments to promote inclusive development, aligning with the United Nations' “Leave No One Behind” agenda.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125006229D63R12R58P25N90
spellingShingle Laxmikanta Gual
Amarendra Das
Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, India
Social Sciences and Humanities Open
D63
R12
R58
P25
N90
title Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, India
title_full Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, India
title_fullStr Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, India
title_full_unstemmed Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, India
title_short Have Indigenous regions been left behind? Three decades of development and disparity in Odisha, India
title_sort have indigenous regions been left behind three decades of development and disparity in odisha india
topic D63
R12
R58
P25
N90
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125006229
work_keys_str_mv AT laxmikantagual haveindigenousregionsbeenleftbehindthreedecadesofdevelopmentanddisparityinodishaindia
AT amarendradas haveindigenousregionsbeenleftbehindthreedecadesofdevelopmentanddisparityinodishaindia