Which of the following is not a defining feature of caste?

Castes were traditionally not linked to occupations

The correct answer is Option 2: Castes were traditionally not linked to occupations.

One of the defining features of caste was its close association with hereditary occupations. A person born into a caste was traditionally expected to follow the occupation associated with that caste, and members of other castes were generally excluded from that occupation. Therefore, saying that castes were not linked to occupations directly contradicts a defining feature of caste.

Other Options

Option 1 What kinds of food may or may not be eaten is prescribed. — Correct. Rules regarding food and food-sharing formed an important feature of caste organisation.

Option 2 Castes were traditionally not linked to occupations. — Incorrect. Traditional caste organisation was closely connected with hereditary occupations.

Option 3 Castes also involve sub-divisions within themselves. — Correct. Castes generally contained sub-castes and sometimes even further sub-divisions, a feature known as segmental organisation.