PERSISTENCE AND TRANSFORMATION OF CASTE DISCRIMINATION IN URBAN INDIA: A SOCIO- LEGAL STUDY

Urbanization in India has long been perceived as a transformative force capable of weakening
traditional caste hierarchies and enabling social mobility. Cities are often imagined as
meritocratic spaces where individuals interact beyond inherited identities. However, empirical
realities suggest that caste discrimination has not disappeared from urban life; instead, it has
evolved into subtle, institutional, and structural forms that continue to influence access to
employment, housing, education, and social networks. This article critically examines the
persistence of caste discrimination in urban modern spaces through a socio-legal lens. It
analyzes constitutional protections, statutory safeguards, and landmark judicial decisions
addressing caste inequality while exploring contemporary manifestations of discrimination
within urban institutions. The study further evaluates the socio-economic causes and
psychological consequences of caste-based exclusion and proposes policy recommendations
for strengthening anti-discrimination mechanisms in urban governance. The article argues that
while legal reforms have established a strong normative framework against caste
discrimination, structural inequalities continue to reproduce caste hierarchies in modern
institutional environments. Effective enforcement, institutional accountability, inclusive policy
design, and social awareness remain essential for realizing the constitutional vision of equality
and dignity in urban India.