Caste system is an extreme form of stratification peculiar to India and is hereditary in nature. The above stated system of stratification offers no vertical mobility. One is ascribed his caste from his/her birth and does not have the liberty to choose his/her caste.

Characteristics of Caste System:

1. Caste: As a hierarchical division of society: The Hindu society is a gradational one. It is divided into several castes and subcastes. A sense of ‘highness’ and ‘lowness’ or ‘superiority’ and ‘inferiority’ is associated with this gradation.
2. Restrictions on food habits: The restrictions on food habits of the members differ from caste to caste. “Who should accept what kind of food from whom?” is often decided by the caste.
3. Restrictions on social relations: The idea of ‘pollution’ makes this point clear. It means a touch of a lower caste man would pollute or defile a man of higher caste. Even his shadow is considered enough to pollute a higher caste man.
4. Social and religious disabilities of certain castes: In the traditional caste society, some lower caste people [particularly, the Harijans] suffered from certain civil or social and religious disabilities. Generally, the impure castes are made to live on the outskirts of the city or the village. Educational facilities, legal rights and political representation were denied to them for a long time.
5. The civil and religious privileges of certain castes: If the lower caste people suffer from certain disabilities, some higher caste people enjoy certain privileges.
6. Restrictions on occupational choice: In a caste ridden society, there is a gradation of occupations also. Each caste has its own specific occupation and these were almost hereditary.
7. Restrictions on marriage: Caste is an endogamous group. Endogamy is a rule of marriage wherein a person has to marry within his or her own caste group.

Changes in the caste system:

The caste system which is an integral part of the Indian system, prior to the coming of the British, had grown into a powerful social institution, with the dominance of Brahmins at the top of the hierarchy. The modern period saw some major developments taking place in the caste system during the two stages:

1. Caste during the British rule
2. Caste in Independent India

Caste during the British rule:

1. Declining hold of Caste Panchayats: The British introduced throughout India uniform legal, legislative and judicial systems. They transferred the judicial powers of the caste councils to the civil and criminal courts which affected the authority which the caste panchayats held on its members.
2. Influence of social legislation: Some legislations which the British introduced shook the integrity of the caste system. A few of the legislations are as follows:
   1. The Caste Disabilities Removal Act of 1850.
   2. The Special Marriage Act of 1872
   3. The Hindu Widows Remarriage Act of 1856
3. Impact of social reform movements: The social reforms launched by social reformers during the British rule attacked the caste system and its inequalities. The Brahma Samaj, The Prarthana Samaj, The Arya Samaj, etc focused on condemning and iradicating some stern beliefs related to the Caste system.
4. Spread of english education and influence of western Ideas: With the establishment of British rule in India came the inflow of many western ideologies such as equality, liberty, democracy, etc.
5. Influence Of Industrialization: The growth of industries destroyed the old crafts and household industries and provided for countless ways of earning livelihood. People of all castes started making use of new economic opportunities.
6. Impact of urbanization: In order to reap the benefits of the new opportunities, people started moving towards towns and cities in large numbers.
7. Influence of freedom struggle and Gandhiji: The freedom struggle organized by the Indian National Congress brought together people of different castes, classes and religions under one banner.

Caste in Independent India:

The political independence of the country brought in a series of changes in the caste system.

1. The religious beliefs of the caste has been attacked. Caste is no more believed to be divinely ordained.
2. The restrictions on food habits have been relaxed.
3. Caste is not very much associated with hereditary occupations.
4. Endogamy, although still prevails, is not seen as an obligation to all.
5. The special civil and religious privileges which the Brahmins enjoyed are no more being enjoyed by them.

Although caste still continues to be a segmental division of Hindu society, it is not as much strict as it was before th modern era. There have been certain changes in the role of caste as well in the independent India. Caste has now become an inseparable part of politics. The caste- consciousness of the members has been increasing making every caste wanting to safeguard its interests. The constitution of India has made enough provisions to protect the interests of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Caste has its roots embedded deep within the social structure of India and it is next to impossible to completely eradicate it from the social structure of India.