Written against the backdrop of recent macroeconomic developments, the essays in this volume represent a range of perspectives and methods pertaining to the study of growth and its distribution in India. The essays in Section I take the long view of growth in the country. They represent issues of abiding interest and provide the canvas upon which the rest of the articles may be seen as placed. Section II takes a macro view of the recent history of the economy. The essays explore the reasons for the shift from a regime of high growth and low inflation to one of low growth and high inflation, deconstruct the dream run of the economy over 2003 08, and evaluate the United Progressive Alliance government s performance. Section III comprises essays that study the economy at the next level down, covering its agriculture, industry and services. Another essay reflects upon the desirable space for finance in India, a topic that has assumed some relevance after the global recession. Finally, the essays in Section IV address the emergence into the public sphere of the idea that growth must be inclusive. Accordingly, the essays here assess the extent to which recent growth has been inclusive, approaching the issue from various angles.