With six essays critically examining economic development, social justice and the political economy of development in post-independence India, this book offers a detailed and empirically rich study of India's record of macroeconomic growth during the last six decades. Chapters focus on a range of issues, including income distribution, poverty reduction, social development (with a special focus on basic services such as sanitation and drinking water) and social protection. The role of class relations in the development process and their influence on the trajectory of policy making is also highlighted as the authors seek to bring out the pre-conditions for a more broad-based and inclusive growth path.