CHANGING PATTERN OF CASTE SYSTEM IN 21ST CENTURY IN INDIA

Abstract

The caste system in India, a historically rigid social stratification based on birth, has significantly evolved in the 21st century. Traditionally rooted in Hindu religious texts and social practices, caste determined one’s occupation, social interactions, and access to resources. However, with the advent of constitutional reforms, democratic governance, economic liberalization, and increased awareness of social justice, the nature and influence of caste are undergoing a transformation.