Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies

This study critically examines land distribution patterns, socio-economic disparities and living conditions among Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Ottapalam Taluk, Kerala where, Ottapalam's SC communities historically faced caste-based land alienation, restricted settlement zones and occupational segregation. Despite Kerala's progressive reforms, persistent landlessness and socio-economic marginalization reflect enduring caste hierarchies in the region. employing a robust mixed-methods approach. The quantitative analysis integrates advanced GIS-based land mapping techniques and a detailed statistical evaluation of government land records to assess spatial inequities. Complementing this, qualitative insights are derived from extensive household surveys, participatory field observations and in-depth interviews with SC families, local officials, community leaders and social activists.

Key findings highlight persistent land ownership inequalities, restricted access to productive resources and substandard living conditions among SCs, stemming from historical discrimination and systemic marginalization. The study identifies critical issues such as widespread landlessness, limited economic and educational mobility, inadequate housing infrastructure and insufficient water and sanitation accessibility within the SC community. The research finds out all target objectives among which, the average percentage of SC community land holding across all regions is only 10.78%, indicating significant inequality in land distribution. Also it provides the results from the collected data in regards to water accessibility and the data of houses acquired by the SCs where it gives insights to the government to take up actionable policy recommendations, emphasizing the urgent need for equitable land redistribution, enhanced welfare schemes and inclusive development programs tailored to SC needs. Furthermore, the difference between Kerala as a whole and Ottapalam Taluk is also represented in table where the findings serve as a vital reference for future studies on marginalized communities, facilitating sustainable development and inclusive growth. The study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex socio-spatial inequalities and advocates for collaborative efforts between policymakers, civil society and affected communities to foster meaningful change.