Abstract

Social inclusion has emerged as a central concern of public policy in India due to the country’s deep-rooted social stratification historical inequalities and diverse demographic composition. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and justice large segments of the population—particularly Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes Other Backward Classes religious minorities women persons with disabilities migrant workers and the urban and rural poor—continue to face structural exclusion from economic opportunities quality education healthcare political participation and social dignity. Government policies in India have long sought to address these disparities through affirmative action welfare schemes legal safeguards and targeted development programs. This research paper examines the role of government policies in promoting social inclusion in India focusing on their conceptual foundations implementation mechanisms and socio-economic outcomes. The study situates social inclusion within t