Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi-cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. (150 words, 10 marks)

Caste has weakened as a rigid ritual hierarchy in some domains, but it remains a powerful institution shaping identity, opportunity, politics and social relations in India.

• Politics: Caste associations influence voting, candidate selection, reservation demands and coalition formation.
• Marriage: Endogamy remains widespread, and inter-caste marriages often face family or community resistance.
• Economy: Historical exclusion continues through unequal access to land, education, occupations, credit and networks.
• Social discrimination: Atrocities, untouchability practices and segregation persist despite constitutional prohibition.
• Affirmative action: SC, ST and OBC reservations make caste central to debates on substantive equality.
• Change: Urbanisation, education, migration and occupational mobility have weakened traditional jajmani ties and enabled new identities.

Caste must therefore be understood alongside class, tribe, gender, religion and region. It has transformed rather than disappeared, simultaneously producing exclusion, political mobilisation and claims for dignity.

caste, endogamy, social mobility, reservation, untouchability, caste associations, intersectionality.