Which of the following principles are applied to maintain caste based restrictions?

(A) Birth
(B) Marriage
(C) Food Sharing
(D) Occupation

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

(B), (C) and (D) only

The correct answer is Option (4) - (B), (C) and (D) only

• (B) Marriage: Marriage is a key tool to enforce caste restrictions. Endogamy (marriage within the same caste) ensures the continuation of caste boundaries.

• (C) Food Sharing: Food sharing is another significant method to maintain caste restrictions, as practices like refusing food from certain castes reinforce social hierarchies.

• (D) Occupation: Occupation traditionally ties individuals to specific roles within the caste system, actively maintaining caste boundaries and hierarchies.

Why Option A-Caste is determined by birth is not a factor for the purpose of maintaining caste based restrictions?– a child is “born into” the caste of its parents. Caste is never a matter of choice. One can never change one’s caste, leave it, or choose not to join it, although there are instances where a person may be expelled from their caste. Thus,, birth itself does not actively maintain restrictions; rather, it is the basis of caste identity. The restrictions (e.g., on marriage, food sharing, and occupation) are imposed later, based on this ascription by birth.

Answer is as per NTA.