Q18. 'सामाजिक गतिशीलता समाज में सच्ची समानता हासिल करने के लिए आवश्यक है।' इस संदर्भ में भारतीय समाज में अंतःपीढ़ीगत गतिशीलता के बाधक कारकों को रेखांकित करें, और शिक्षा की भूमिका का परीक्षण करें। 'Social mobility' is essential for achieving true equality within society'. In this context highlight the barriers to intergenerational mobility in Indian society, and examine the role of education on social mobility. (15 marks)

Social mobility refers to the movement of a person/group in society due to changes in their economical, political and social factors.

Social mobility is essential to achieve true equality in the society as:

i) It helps to avail opportunities for growth.

ii) It leads to financial strengthening of individual/family.

iii) Helps to achieve social security and respect in the society.

iv) Helps to gain newer avenues to explore.

However, Indian society is not equal and there are several barriers to this intergenerational mobility:

i) Presence of caste hierarchies — discrimination on the basis of caste.

(eg) people from lower caste not allowed to study in some areas.

ii) Poverty — hindering the ability to avail opportunities.

iii) Religious disabilities that on people (eg) Next ~ 97% employed as manual scavengers are SCs.

iv) Illiteracy and lack of educational institutes.

v) Gender discrimination — patriarchal society prohibiting women empowerment (eg) Glass ceiling, pink collar jobs.

vi) Caste-based politics — generating caste consciousness and reducing equality and fraternity in society.

Education can play a major role in social mobility as it can help in following ways:

Role of education: