This chapter is the foundation of the Indian Society paper. Every other chapter (women, population, communalism, regionalism) uses the vocabulary built here: diversity, hierarchy, pluralism, Sanskritisation, the coexistence of tradition and modernity.

What UPSC asks. Mains GS I asks this chapter almost every year, usually as an analytical question (“Is diversity a strength or a challenge?”, “How has caste adapted to modern institutions?”). Prelims touches it through Census facts, the Eighth Schedule and constitutional provisions on minorities and tribes.

Key sub-topics

Sub-topic	What to know
Forms of diversity	Racial, linguistic, religious, caste, tribal, regional
Bonds of unity	Geo-political idea of India, pilgrimage, shared institutions, the Constitution
Caste and kinship	Varna vs jati, Ghurye’s features, joint family, changing patterns
Concepts	Sanskritisation, Westernisation, dominant caste, little and great traditions
Constitutional anchors	Articles 29, 30, 350A, 350B, 51A(e) and (f), Fifth and Sixth Schedules

Start with the topic page, then test yourself on the practice set.