Abstract

Urban centers in India often hailed as engines of economic growth and hubs of opportunity simultaneously represent stark landscapes of deepening inequality. This paper offers a sociological perspective on urban inequality in India moving beyond purely economic metrics to analyze its multidimensional nature systemic roots and social consequences. It delves into the historical context of urbanization in India highlighting how colonial legacies and post-independence development models have contributed to uneven urban growth. The analysis explores key manifestations of urban inequality including the proliferation of informal settlements and slums segmented labor markets unequal access to essential services like housing water sanitation and healthcare and disparities in education and mobility. Furthermore it examines the role of caste religion gender and class as intersecting axes of disadvantage that perpetuate and exacerbate urban inequalities. By synthesizing theoretical frameworks with