Synopsis This book is a compilation of 46 papers that were presented by policymakers, rural development professionals, academicians and researchers in the NIRD Foundation day Seminar on 'Rural Development and Social Change' organized on 9-10 November, 2005 in National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad. These papers were presented and discussed under different themes, and provided a critical analysis of the existing pattern and emerging trends in the area of rural development and social change.