A caste is a fixed social group into which an individual is born within a system of social stratification, commonly known as a caste system
. This system divides society into hierarchical groups based on birth, often linked to hereditary occupations and social status, with strict rules about marriage (endogamy) and social interactions
. The most well-known example is the caste system in India, which traditionally divides Hindus into four main varnas or categories: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (traders and farmers), and Shudras (laborers)
. Outside this hierarchy are groups like the Dalits (formerly "untouchables") and Adivasis (indigenous tribes), who have historically faced severe discrimination and social exclusion
. Caste systems assign social status and roles rigidly, often enforcing notions of purity and pollution that affect daily life, including restrictions on food sharing, socializing, and access to resources
. Although modern changes such as urbanization and affirmative action have reduced some caste-based inequalities, caste remains a significant factor in social and economic life, especially in South Asia and among its diaspora
. In summary, caste is a hereditary social classification system that organizes people into ranked groups with prescribed social roles and privileges, deeply influencing social dynamics and individual opportunities
