The book "The informal sector of India: Challenges and Consequences"has emerged out of national seminar"Informal Sector in India: Marginalized Communities" held on 26th and 27th February 2009, organized by the Department of Sociology, University of Mumbai, under the UGC-SAP Programme.The book consists of 13 chapters written by scholars and social activist, this papers are empirically based in different geographical areas.The book highlights the issues of leather artisans in Mumbai and kolhapur.The issues concerning Potters in Mumbai is also discussed.The book offers details of Odisha industrialization and its impact on marginalized groups, and conditions of Beedi workers and Ready-made garment workers. The book makes and attempt to understand how Informal sector can be a Source of Self Reliance among the Rural Community .Further the book elaborates on status of manual scavengers, basket sellers women and Dhangar Community. The book offers critical examination of socio- economic conditions.This book will be useful to all those scholars and students interested in the field of informal sector, industry and labour, sociology