CSH researcher Rama Devi has co-authored an article with Kamna Tiwary titled “(Dis)Appearances of Caste in Diplomacy”, published in The Hague Journal of Diplomacy on Sept 17, 2025.

Abstract: The caste system represents a complex structure of social stratification which is perceived as a cultural feature unique to India. The people placed at the bottom of the system are considered impure and traditionally were assigned to perform the demeaning work for the superior castes. The Indian constitution adopted affirmative action, guaranteeing proportional representation in different spheres, including public services, to remedy historical disadvantages endured by the lowest castes. The nature of Dalit representation in the bureaucracy indicates that the policy does not guarantee the annihilation of caste and casteism after recruitment into the public services. Drawing on Indian government data on foreign services and the arguments advanced by parliamentarians on the nature of Scheduled Caste representation in the services, this article aims to unravel the (dis)appearance of caste in foreign services, which is mediated through the putative logic of ‘merit’, ‘competence’ and ‘national interest’.

The full article is available here.