The New Frontier: Merit vs. Caste in the Indian IT Sector

Even after six decades of India’s independence, caste identity continues to be a major social marker for most Indians. Therefore, and as the author argues, questions about the role of caste in Indian society, particularly in the new and burgeoning Information and Technology (IT) industry, remain worthy of renewed and continued exploration. This book addresses pertinent issues around the role and status of caste in this new private occupational sector that boasts of merit as the ultimate equalizer. The author finds that in spite of the narrative of equality and justice, caste status continues to influence access to IT education and in the new IT occupations in India. The IT sector remains closed as a level playing ground to lower castes groups, particularly the Dalits or the most marginalized caste groups in the country while favouring upper caste members. The author addresses and analyses how at multiple levels of the IT organizational structure, existing inequalities on the basis of caste are reinforced and its deep interplay with class and gender are manifested. Locating intricate patterns of articulation of caste identity in rapidly urbanising India, the author offers valuable insights into the study of inequality and social mobility in developing societies.