Internal Stratification and Heterogeneity within Scheduled Castes
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Understanding the internal dynamics of marginalized communities is crucial for designing effective and equitable social justice policies. It highlights the limitations of a 'one-size-fits-all' approach and the need for nuanced interventions to address disparities within the SC category itself. Relevant for GS1 (Indian Society) and GS2 (Social Justice).
Scheduled Castes are not a monolithic social group but comprise diverse sub-castes, religious affiliations, and socio-economic strata, leading to significant internal stratification. This heterogeneity often results in differential access to opportunities and varied levels of social mobility, even within the broader SC category.
Facts & tables
- Multiplicity of Sub-castes
- The SC community is highly heterogeneous, split into numerous sub-castes (e.g., approximately 39 different castes in Punjab alone).
- Religious and Sectarian Divisions
- Divisions extend across religious lines (Hindu, Sikh, Christian) and sectarian identities, often manifesting as 'Deras' in regions like Punjab.
- Differential Social Mobility
- Some SC sub-groups achieve relatively better education and upward social mobility (e.g., Ravidassias, Ad-Dharmis), while others remain 'marginalized within the marginalized' (e.g., Balmikis, Mazhabis).
- Hindrance to Collective Action
- This internal diversity and stratification often hinders collective action, unified political influence, and equitable distribution of benefits from welfare schemes.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Social Justice & Development |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- SCs are not a homogeneous group.
- Divisions by sub-caste, religion, sects (Deras).
- Differential social mobility and economic status.
- Some groups are 'marginalized within the marginalized'.
- Impacts unified political action and policy benefits.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Social Justice & Development
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Why Punjab’s Dalits remain divided
Explores how SCs are internally divided by sub-caste, religion, and socio-economic status, leading to varied outcomes and challenges for unified action and equitable policy benefits.
See also
Past papers
2016–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Why Punjab’s Dalits remain divided
Explores how SCs are internally divided by sub-caste, religion, and socio-economic status, leading to varied outcomes and challenges for unified action and equitable policy benefits.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India :
1. Provisions regarding the administration of the Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
2. Some tribes of India are entitled to exemption from paying Income Tax on certain incomes.
3. The Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats in Panchayats for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Sixth Schedule (Article 244(2)) of the Indian Constitution specifically governs the administration of Tribal Areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. The Fifth Schedule (Article 244(1)) applies to the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than these four. Statement 2 is Correct: Under Section 10(26) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, members of Scheduled Tribes residing in specified regions (including Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh) are exempt from paying income tax on income generated from sources within those areas, as well as on dividends or interest on securities. Statement 3 is Correct: Article 243D of the Constitution mandates the reservation of seats in Panchayats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Furthermore, Article 243D(2) explicitly requires that not less than one-third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs must be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. Since Statements 2 and 3 are correct, there are exactly two correct statements, which include Statement 2. Therefore, the correct conclusion is that there are two correct statements, that include statement 2.
Consider the following statements :
1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.
2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.
3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial banks support SHGs.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: NABARD began promoting self-help groups in 1991-1992. And it served as the actual launch pad for the SHG movement. The Reserve Bank of India additionally permitted SHGs to open savings bank accounts in 1993. * Statement 2 is correct: The Banks provide the loan to the Self-Help Group as a whole and it is the collective responsibility of the SHG to repay that loan. Hence all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes. Further, the SHG may decide to not provide any share in further loans to the defaulter member. * Statement 3 is correct: The Financial Inclusion Fund scheme to support Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) for enabling Dual Authentication options in the micro ATMs for SHG transactions is being launched to provide an enabling eco-system for the SHGs to seamlessly operate at Business Correspondent points with the proposed Dual Authentication feature. Thus, it can be said that SCBs and RRBs support the SHGs in availing the credits as per their needs.
Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ?
1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination.
2. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology.
3. The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a public sector organisation set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not-for-profit company to promote entrepreneurship among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 2016, not 2018. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and places a legal obligation on governments to ensure non-discrimination and accessibility. It also mandates reservations for PwDs, such as increasing the quota to 4% in government employment and 5% in higher education. Statement 2 is Correct: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) was launched in 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains: built infrastructure (barrier-free public buildings), transport systems (accessible railways, airports, and roads), and information and communication technology (accessible government websites and digital ecosystems). Statement 3 is Incorrect: The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking registered as a not-for-profit company to provide concessional financial assistance to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment, and higher education among PwDs. However, it was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore, the correct option is B.
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:
1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹ 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, here's the breakdown of the statements: * Statement 1: Incorrect. The eligible age group for enrolment in the scheme is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40 years. This allows younger workers to join early and contribute for a longer period. * Statement 2: Correct. Beneficiaries are required to make age-specific monthly contributions, which increase with age. For instance, contributions start at ₹55 for an 18-year-old and go up to ₹200 for a 40-year-old. * Statement 3: Correct. Subscribers will receive a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining 60 years of age. This provides social security for workers in the unorganized sector. * Statement 4: Incorrect. Family pension is available only to the spouse, who will receive 50% of the pension amount after the subscriber's death. Unmarried daughters are not eligible for this benefit.
With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements:
1. CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities.
2. CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1: Correct. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India state that expenditures aimed at benefiting the company's business interests or its employees (such as those related to employee welfare or activities that are a direct business benefit) will not be counted as CSR activities. The focus of CSR is on activities that benefit society at large and not just the company or its direct stakeholders. * Statement 2: Incorrect. Under the Companies Act, 2013, CSR rules do specify a minimum spending requirement. Companies meeting certain criteria (like having a net worth of ₹500 crore or more, or an annual turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more, or a net profit of ₹5 crore or more) must allocate at least 2% of their average net profits over the last three years towards CSR activities. So, the correct answer is: A. 1 only
Show 3 more PYQs
Regarding ‘Atal Pension Yojana’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers
2. Only one member of a family can join the scheme
3. Some amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after the subscriber’s death.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Correct: Atal Pension Yojana is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme primarily targeted at unorganized sector workers in India. It encourages saving for retirement through regular contributions during their working years. Statement 2 is Incorrect: There is no restriction on the number of family members who can join the Atal Pension Yojana scheme. As long as they meet the eligibility criteria (age 18-40 and savings bank account), multiple members within a family can enroll. Statement 3 is Correct: Atal Pension Yojana provides a pension benefit for the spouse after the subscriber's death. The spouse becomes the nominee and receives a pension, though the specific amount might differ depending on the chosen pension plan by the subscriber. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India :
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi Tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
During the fourth Five-Year Plan, a sub-category was created within Scheduled Tribes, known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, to identify groups that are considered to be at a lower level of development. Statement 1 is correct: PVTGs are spread over 18 states and one Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) in India. Statement 2 is correct: The criteria for determining PVTG status include a pre-agricultural level of technology, a stagnant or declining population, extremely low literacy, and a subsistence-level of economy. Statement 3 is incorrect: As of now, there are 75 PVTGs officially notified in the country, not 95. Statement 4 is correct: Both Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. So, the correct statements are 1, 2, and 4.
Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India?
1. Employment Policy Convention
2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
3. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
4. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
5. Convention on Reduction of Statelessness
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (ILO No. 122) is one of the International Labour Organization's governance (priority) conventions. India ratified it on November 17, 1998. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (ILO No. 105) is a fundamental ILO convention. India ratified it on May 18, 2000. Statement 3 is Correct: The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (1990) is a UN multilateral treaty. India has neither signed nor ratified this convention. Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (1949) (also known as the Fourth Geneva Convention) was ratified by India on November 9, 1950, and implemented domestically via the Geneva Conventions Act, 1960. *(Note: The question setter likely confused this with the 1951 Refugee Convention, which was adopted in Geneva and which India has not ratified).* Statement 5 is Correct: The Convention on Reduction of Statelessness (1961) has not been signed or ratified by India. India is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1954 Convention on Statelessness, or this 1961 Convention. *Conclusion:* Factually, only conventions 3 and 5 have not been ratified by India. However, among the given options, there is a discrepancy as no option perfectly matches "3 and 5". Since any correct answer must include the unratified conventions 3 and 5, Option D is the only possible choice by elimination.