Social Sector Development in North-east India is the first comprehensive book that makes a strong case for people-centric social sector development of North-east India. This book argues that human capital formation through social sector development should be the strategic goal of development of this region, as the prospect for service sector development is much higher compared to that of the primary and secondary sectors. This needs a course correction in the erstwhile approaches of development, which has been driven by political and strategic considerations such as national security and the territorial integrity of India. This book advances an argument for a shift in approach of development policy from top-down, infrastructure-focused to bottom-up, people-centric and social sector development-focused. It also critiques the mainstream understanding of North-east India that treats it as a geographical entity and a monolithic socio-cultural society, ignoring its rich ethnic diversities, cultural pluralities and regional variations. Contents: Preface SECTION I Introduction Ashok Pankaj, Atul Sarma and Antora Borah Social Sector Development in North-east India SECTION II Contexts Chandan Kumar Sharma Contextualizing Social Development in North-east India Bimal Kumar Kar and Suli Yohana Ayemi Demographic Changes in North-east India: Inter-temporal Variations in Population Growth and Composition SECTION III Education Saket Kushwaha, Sushanta Kumar Nayak and Jumi Kalita Status of School Education in North-east India Nirmali Goswami Contextualizing Educational Attainment in Assam: Reflecting on ‘Gender Gap Jayashree Doley Education, Modernity and Tribal Identities: Narratives of Schooling from Mishing Youths of Assam SECTION IV Health Sushanta Kumar Nayak and Geling Modi Accessibility to Health Services in North-east India Surajit Deb Child Malnutrition in North-east India SECTION V Poverty, Unemployment and Food Security Joydeep Baruah Poverty in North-east India: An Overview Kalyan Das Unemployment and Outmigration for Work from North-east India: How Does It Ensure Well-being? Rajshree Bedamatta and Mahsina Rahman Public Food Distribution System in Riverine Villages of Assam—A Cross-section Analysis SECTION VI Governance Bhupen Sarmah and Joseph K. Lalfakzuala Nation State and North-east India: From Exclusion to Autonomy Vanlalchhawna Fiscal Decentralization and Development: A Study of Autonomous District Councils in Mizoram Thongkholal Haokip Making a Case for the Formation of Regional Councils within Sixth Schedule Area SECTION VII Challenges Patricia Mukhim Unique Challenges to Social Sector Development in North-east India: An Insider’s Perspective Index