Although numerous schemes for the development and welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC &ST) and the groups which come under the preview of Other Backward Classes (OBC) and which are a mixed lot of less socially disadvantaged and still economically backward, have improved their position to some extent, a lot yet remains to be done to achieve the desired goal in the right direction of bringing them on par with normal populace of the country. The present Index of articles in the CICIL series is a pointer to scholarly thought and writings during the last 105 years or so (1886-1990) culled from 171 Indian Journals of standing to provide materials for the use of researchers and social scientists on various aspects of the problems, possibilities and the past status of these so termed backward classes. The articles included in this Index give a detailed picture of the economic and social conditions of these underprivileged groups. They not only indicate the Governmental measures taken so far for their uplift, but also provide critical assessment of such measures. In these articles we find the discussion on the reports of the Committees and Commissions submitted to the Government on the> problems of the backward classes. The Index also includes such articles which highlight the important researches made on tribals for the benefit of those who are entrusted with the tribal administration. Reflections and notes on the life-style and modes of our tribal brethren, included in the writings, which are indexed in this volume may, one hopes so, open our eyes to the service and dis-service we are indulging ourselves in.

By S. P. Agrawal and Girishwar Misra