Which of the following is NOT a feature of caste system in India ?

The correct answer is Caste groups are exogamous.

Key Points

• The features of the caste system in India are:
  •  Hereditary 
    • The caste status of an individual is determined strictly by his heredity, i.e. the caste into which one is born. 
  • Endogamous
    • Its endogamous character strictly prohibits inter-caste marriages. Hence, caste groups are exogamous is not a feature of caste system in India.
  •  Restricted Food Habits
    • ​Higher castes try maintaining their traditional purity by different food habits.
      • Brahmins will only take ‘Satwil’ or ‘Pure’ food.
      • Kshtriya and Vaishya will take ‘Royal’ food.
      • A Shudra takes ‘Tamsi’ food.
  • Each individual caste has its own laws which govern food habits.

 Important Points

• The other features of the caste system in India are:
  • Hierarchal:
    • The caste system has a hierarchy of superiors and inferiors.
    • Hindu caste hierarchy states, The highest position is held by Brahmin, followed by Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra.
  • Fixed Occupations:
    • The occupation in the caste system, which evolved from the Varna system, is definite.
    • A son of a blacksmith pursues the occupation of his trade, a son of a carpenter becomes a carpenter, and so forth.
    • People from many castes have lost their jobs due to the expansion of industries and have switched to farming or other occupations.

• Untouchability:
  • Shudra and outcasts are regarded as untouchables in the Indian caste system.
• Reinforcement by Religious Beliefs:
  • Religious beliefs have played an important role in making the caste system inevitable.
• Absence of Vertical Mobility:
  • In a caste system, there is no mobility movement of its members, up or down, the social status ladder. A person’s status at birth is his life time status.