Caste inequalities persist in India as some older aspects have not disappeared. Untouchability has not ended completely despite constitutional prohibition, and most people still marry within their own caste or tribe.

The effects of centuries of advantages and disadvantages are still felt today. Groups that had access to education historically have done well in modern education, leading to a disproportionately large presence of upper castes among the urban middle classes. Conversely, groups prohibited from education have lagged behind.

Caste remains closely linked to economic status. The average economic status still follows the old hierarchy, where upper castes are best off and Dalits and Adivasis are worst off. The proportion of people living below the poverty line is much higher for the lowest castes, while upper castes are over-represented among the rich.