Question 18SubstantiateGS1GS1

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.

Introduction

Caste is a socio-religious institution which discriminates between people based on their birth. While Article 17 of the Indian Constitution banned untouchability, caste discrimination still continues to be practised in subtle forms in all spheres.

35 words

Main Body

Caste Calculussocial domain

1Marriages in India are still governed by caste preferences. Caste calculus plays out in 3 ways:

(i) rituals of different castes are different- Ex- use of horse.

(ii) inter-caste marriage resisted in society

(iii) Notion of "purity" continues in inter-caste marriages

2People continue to identify certain surnames with certain castes.

3Notions of "pollution" still prohibits many from accessing public infrastructure.

4Caste continues to govern social status.

Caste Calculuspolitical

1Caste identity is often exploited by political parties and politicians for vote-bank politics.

2Though reservations have helped in uplifting many SCs, complimentary efforts to eradicate caste discrimination have not been taken.

3There is rise of puppet leaders who are not a true representative of SC electorate.

Caste calculuseconomic domains

1Caste to a large extent still determines the type of occupation adopted by an individual. Ex- manual scavenging still done by "lower" castes.

2Lower castes have very low ownership of assets.

3Social prestige attached to intellectual labour performed by high caste.

177 words2 paragraphs

Conclusion

Caste continues to stay dominant by adapting to new circumstances - (i) Subtle caste indications in the form of slurs used. (ii) Caste bias in hiring processes. However, due to rising modernisation & growth of cities, caste lines have become blurred and there is greater emphasis on merit.

48 words

Constitutional reference
Structured 3-way breakdown

Open original scan

Page 42

Topper

Ritika Rath

AIR 48

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Indian Society

Caste

Caste in social domain

Writing Stats

260

Total words

Paragraphs