The most commonly cited defining features of Caste system in India: (…

The most commonly cited defining features of Caste system in India:

(A) Caste groups are endogamous
(B) Caste is a matter of choice
(C) Segmental organisation
(D) Caste is arranged in a hierarchy of rank and status

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (C) and (D) only

(A) Caste groups are endogamous Correct. Membership in a caste involves strict rules about marriage. Caste groups are ‘endogamous’, that is, marriage is restricted to members of the group.

(B) Caste is a matter of choice Incorrect. Caste is determined by birth: 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.

(C) Segmental organisation Correct. Castes involve sub-divisions within themselves: castes almost always have sub-castes, and sub-castes may have their own sub-castes. This is referred to as a segmental organisation.

(D) Caste is arranged in a hierarchy of rank and status Correct. Castes are arranged in a hierarchy of rank and status; although the ranking may differ from region to region, there is always a hierarchy.

NCERT (2025-26): “3.1 Caste and the Caste System … The most commonly cited defining features of caste are the following:

1. Caste is determined by birth – 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.…
2. Membership in a caste involves strict rules about marriage. Caste groups are ‘endogamous’, i.e. marriage is restricted to members of the group.
3. Caste membership also involves rules about food and food-sharing. What kinds of food may or may not be eaten is prescribed and who one may share food with is also specified.
4. Caste involves a system consisting of many castes arranged in a hierarchy of rank and status. In theory, every person has a caste, and every caste has a specified place in the hierarchy of all castes. While the hierarchical position of many castes, particularly in the middle ranks, may vary from region to region, there is always a hierarchy.
5. Castes also involve sub-divisions within themselves, i.e., castes almost always have sub-castes and sometimes sub-castes may also have sub-castes. This is referred to as a segmental organisation.…”