GS1 · 10 marks · 150 words

The caste system in India has adapted to the forces of modernisation, urbanisation, and economic liberalisation. Illustrate with examples.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Syllabus: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 170 words · 33% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A definition2 of 3
  • A quotation1 of 3

Body

  • Points3 of 3

Close

  • No separate close1 of 3
  • A summary1 of 3
  • A way forward1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 175 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a quotation

"Caste in India is written on sand, rather than stone" — MN Srinivas

Body · points

Diagram
* Caste System in India * Based on "purity & pollution" * Hierarchally arranged * Ascriptive Nature * endogamy and closed social movement

Adaptation of Caste to various forces

(A) To Modernisation (i) Decline in concept of Purity & pollution [eg] interdinning at IIT (ii) Inter-caste marriages — Census 2011 - 12.6% of Total are intercaste (iii) Social Mobility due to modern outlook [eg] Affirmative Action (iv) Realisation of evils of caste due to modern outlook [eg] Article 17 to outlaw Untouchability

(B) To urbanisation (V) Emergence of cosmopolitan culture [eg] low caste visibility in cities (VI) Division based on class rather than caste [eg] slums in cities (VII) Forming of secular religion & cultural practices [eg] Indo-Pak Match, Freedom Day (15 Aug) celebration

(C) To Economic liberalisation (VIII) Secular & skill based jobs [eg] Industrial areas (IX) Adoption of western values [eg] equality, individualism (X) More opportunity to lower caste people

features not changed → In rural areas → caste based violence - 6 crimes against SC every hour → Discrimination is prevalent

Close · a way forward

Thus need to adopt and eradicate the caste based discrimination today

More on Caste

Caste system, mobility, reservation and caste-based discrimination.

All GS1 questions on Caste