SDR 2018 takes an overview of economic, social, regional and gender inequalities that persist in India. Despite a growth in the country's GDP, access to health, education, employment, credit or property still remains difficult for various sections of society. Poverty and debt is very high among SCs, STs, women and other vulnerable groups.

The Report looks at the following inequalities:
* Regional disparities
* Income and wage inequality
* Rural-urban divides
* Unequal access to health, education and other public services
* Unequal access to land, labour and credit
* Gender inequality
* Exclusion of dalits and other marginalised groups
It concludes with the social development index that runs through all editions of the SDR.