The paper attempts to address two interrelated issues. First it tries to conceptualize the nature and dimensions of the “Exclusion-Linked Deprivation“ of socially disadvantage groups particularly the dalit in Indian society. In that efforts it elaborate the concept and meaning of caste based exclusion, and its implications for poverty of excluded groups. Secondly in this theoretical back drop it tries to provide empirical evidence on the practice of caste based exclusion and discrimination and denial of rights to Dalits--in civil, social, cultural, political and economic spheres--leading lack of income earning capital assets like agricultural land, employment, education, and social needs like housing, water, electricity.