Caste, gender and intersectionality in labour market aspirations: evidence from a skill-training programme in India

Abstract

This study examines how social identity shapes future aspirations in a developing country context. Using data from a large-scale skill-training program for rural youth in India, we focus on two key identity dimensions: caste and gender. Our findings suggest that trainees from the socially disadvantaged groups–Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC)–have significantly lower income aspirations and expectations than trainees from privileged castes. However, caste gaps disappear in expected post-training salaries. Female participants also have significantly lower aspirations and expectations than their male counterparts. These disparities persist even after accounting for background characteristics, including pre-training personality traits and non-cognitive skills. Exploring intersection of caste and gender, we find that disadvantages are cumulative: SC/ST women face the lowest aspiration and expectation levels across all groups. This pattern supports the “double jeopardy” hypothesis, highlighting how overlapping social identities compound disadvantage in shaping individuals’ economic outlooks and perceived future opportunities.