ABSTRACT
Human development is increasingly recognised as a multidimensional process encompassing health, education, and standard of living rather than mere economic growth. While state- and national-level Human Development Index (HDI) estimates provide useful benchmarks, they often mask significant disparities at sub-district levels. This study examines the dimensions
and intra-district disparities in human development in Mandya district of Karnataka using a multidimensional HDI framework. Drawing upon secondary indicators and household-level evidence, the study constructs composite and dimension-specific indices and analyses disparities across taluks, rural–urban locations, gender, and social groups. The findings reveal pronounced spatial and social inequalities within the district, with taluk-level variation
indicating uneven access to health, educational attainment, and income-generating opportunities. The results underscore that aggregate development performance conceals pockets of deprivation, necessitating decentralised and targeted policy interventions. The study contributes to the human development literature by demonstrating the relevance of micro-level HDI analysis for district planning and inclusive development strategies.

Keywords: Human Development Index, intra-district inequality, taluk disparities, rural– urban divide, Mandya district, Karnataka