KP

Komal PuniaAIR 6

Question Q18Agree/Disagree and SubstantiateGS2GS1

The caste calculus in the Indian society remains predominant and continues to project its shadow on social, political, and economic domains. Do you agree? Substantiate your answer. (15 marks, 250 words)

Open scan (p.42)

Introduction

Caste calculus refers to enumerating stastically castes in India and orienting policies based on caste census.

16 words

Main Body

Predominance of caste calculus is because of:

1Demand for caste based reservations
2Politicalization of caste - caste based politics
3Vote bank politics.
4Deep rooted caste based hierarchies in society.

Projection on:

Social domain:

1Discrimination and habitat segregation
2Inter-caste marriages seen as [illegible]

Social domain (continued):

Thread to caste structure through inter-caste marriages.

2Prohibition from public places esp well, tanks st.

Political domain:

1Politically leveraging caste identities
2Identification of benefits as Socio-Economic Caste census— SECC for schemes

Economic domain:

1Segregation of employment opportunities - (CP) most manual scavengers are lower caste.
2Economic vulnerability of lower caste groups.
3Non-equitable distribution of material resources.

These projections have implications on Indian society as whole & require steps:

Steps:

1Transparent use of caste based data.
2Effective social auditing mechanism
3Reforms - electoral & governance related - to prevent politicisation of caste.
151 words5 paragraphs

Conclusion

Caste based identities tends to threaten societal fabric. Any caste calculus must be undertaken with precautionary measures to prevent any misuse.

21 words

  • Defines caste calculus clearly
  • Identifies multiple drivers of caste politics
  • Covers social dimension
  • Acknowledges politicalization

Topper

Komal Punia

AIR 6

Subject & Paper

GS2GS1

Topic

Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism

Caste System and Social Hierarchy

Writing Stats

188

Total words

5

Paragraphs