castebased

Castebased describes social organization, practices, or policies that align with caste, a hereditary and traditionally endogamous grouping within society. Caste-based arrangements can determine status, occupation, residence, ritual duties, and access to resources.

In the Indian subcontinent, caste has historically been described through varna, a broad, hierarchical framework, and jati, numerous local groups. The system is often endogamous and associated with hereditary occupations, though modern economies have reduced rigidity. Caste has shaped social interaction, mobility, and community life for centuries.

In contemporary governance, governments have sought to counteract caste-based discrimination. India, Nepal, and other countries have laws prohibiting caste-based discrimination and, in many cases, policies that provide affirmative action or quotas for historically disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These measures aim to improve access to education, employment, and political representation.

Caste-based dynamics continue to influence politics, education, and family life, particularly in rural areas, with ongoing debates about reservations, social reform, and efforts to promote integration and mobility. Scholarly study of caste-based phenomena examines how inherited social hierarchy interacts with modernization, migration, and economic change, and how policy, law, and social actors can impact long-standing practices.