Upon gaining independence from British rule, the Government of India launched numerous initiatives with high hopes of building a "new" country  on the ideals of liberal democracy. Recognizing the existence of problems of the so-called Untouchables—social groups that continue to be the  poorest and most subordinated in India—the government has periodically introduced economic and social reforms. It was expected that in due time,  stifling traditional values and practices like the caste system would undergo a transformation or gradual elimination, leading to a positive change in 
the Untouchables' social situation.
 This study aims to examine the status of Untouchables from the perspective of caste system related to social exclusion and inequality, while  addressing the current aspect of the marginalization of Untouchables in India by reviewing the welfare schemes of recent decades. To what  extent have the schemes benefited Untouchables and in what areas can such benefits be found? Can the improvements be considered uniform  and comprehensive? Have the schemes been implemented in a sustainable and effective manner? Toward these ends, this study shall focus on  the sweeping caste, known as Balmikis in northern India. Ranking lowest even among Untouchables and marginalized in society, Balmikis have  continued to coexist by performing traditional jobs that are essential for the maintenance of the social environment, especially in urban areas. This  study indicates that government welfare measures do not always prove to be advantageous; instead, these measures may foster marginalization.   Sweepers' inferior social status arises from their "traditional" work-the job requires them to come into contact with natural waste-being  considered "polluting" or "impure" in the orthodox Hindu belief. Hence, people in such jobs as collecting night-soil from latrines and sweeping  streets and houses are despised as the bottom of the caste hierarchy.
 It is evident from the latest socio-economic statistics that sweepers remain underdeveloped and continue to be deemed "culturally" and  "physically" unclean. It can be said that the sweepers' problems and the caste-based occupational structure continue to exist. As the sweeper  community has a low occupational and educational mobility, this situation may indicate a relationship between the hereditary occupational structure  and low socio-economic development. A close examination of welfare schemes for sweepers also reveals their slow progress, ineffectiveness, and  the limitation of Gandhian approaches. Sanitizing the work environment does not always guarantee liberation from the stigma attached to the  community. The Government of India needs to review these schemes to ensure that they benefit the Untouchables.