This volume discusses economic performance as well as major human development indicators in six less developed states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The volume presents studies at the subnational level in India on a range of issues in economic growth and human development. An in-depth analysis of major indicators brings out the constraining factors responsible for low levels of human development alongside various aspects of the regional economy within a state. On an analytical note, sectoral economic growth of these backward states are compared with select major states of India. This book discusses economic performance and human development indicators in six less developed Indian states Shovan Ray is Professor of Economics at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research in Mumbai.