• DR. KESHAVAMURTHY.T N

Abstract: The prevalence of the caste system in India continues to be an issue of crucial importance even today, despite the Indian constitution providing a strong legal framework to ensure equality of opportunities across caste, race, religion, region, and gender. The constitution of India abolished the practice of untouchability and declared caste-based abuse a crime. However, 150 years of British colonial modernity and 70 years of independent rule have failed to abolish the forms and practices of the caste system in both public and private spheres in India. Studies of social scientists on the caste system reveal that it has survived by adopting new forms, by shedding its ritual character and taking on social, political, cultural reincarnations in modern society. This study is an attempt to understand the prevalence of caste in contemporary India from the perspective of students of the University of Hyderabad. Despite a constitution ensuring the prohibition of discrimination based on caste and abolition of untouchability and the extension of affirmative action to rectify the historical injustices done to the downtrodden communities through fundamental rights, the caste system has succeeded in perpetuating its presence and making its impact in a covert yet strong manner.

Keywords: India, Caste hierarchy, Inter-caste marriages, Indian Society, Reservation, University student.

"Sociological study on most backward castes in India on the background of their socio economic conditions", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 8, page no.g106-g114, August-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2208617.pdf

"Sociological study on most backward castes in India on the background of their socio economic conditions", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 8, page no. ppg106-g114, August-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2208617.pdf