 Change in hierarchical structure: Caste hierarchy based on purity and pollution has weakened because of secularization. Additionally, wealth is replacing birth as the basis of social prestige.

 Breakdown of Jajmani system: Jajmani system involved exchange of goods and services, with each jati contributing its share based on occupational specialty. However, it is dissipating due to traditional breakdown of occupation and industrialization.

 Sanskritization: It is a process by which low Hindu caste groups/tribes change their customs, rituals etc. emulating a higher caste group to attain vertical mobility.

 Disruption of traditionally ordained occupational system: Due to globalization and rise of services sector.

 Anonymous urban life: With increasing migration, city life is becoming anonymous where caste identities of co-habitants is seldom known.

 Modernization of education and legal system.

Factors strengthening caste identity

 Caste based politics: Political parties are increasingly mobilizing caste groups for votes, strengthening caste identities. It is evidenced by emergence of many regional parties.

 Caste based affirmative actions: Provision of caste based reservation in education and jobs has strengthened the caste identities. For example, recent demand of OBC status by some caste groups.

 Collective mobilization: Caste groups are also mobilizing and collectively demanding equality and non- discrimination in the wake of incidents of atrocities on Dalits.

 “Dominant caste” phenomenon: Landowning classes have also come to wield political power in some states due to sheer numbers, like in UP and Bihar.