Ans: The caste system divides Hindu society into four main categories - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Many believe that the groups originated from Brahma, the Hindu God of creation. Its existence till now proves its roots in Indian culture. However the recent trends show a different result, where leaving the core characteristics, many features of caste are getting diluted.

New identities and associational forms:

1. Reservation demands from upper well-to-do groups example Jat and Maratha
2. Affirmative action receiving groups like OBC, ST, and SC behave as a whole in political and secular space, fighting for each other and the overall principle of affirmative action
3. Association in the field of the industry: Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
4. More groups and political parties have become vocal about the Caste census, there is renewed urgency to expose Caste-based privileges and deprivations
5. Anti-caste activists have been quick to embrace “new media", making innovative use of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram.
6. Publications such as Round Table India, Forward Press, Velivada, Savari and the newly relaunched Prabuddh Bharat, are increasingly challenging the age-old Brahminical control of information and knowledge— thrusting the keyboard into the hands of Bahujans (Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs) in order for them to represent their own world.

Thus it seems that the caste system cannot be eradicated in India. However, counter-currents are emerging.

The caste features are getting diluted:

• In recent decades, with the spread of secular education and growing urbanisation, the influence of caste has somewhat declined, especially in cities where different castes live side-by-side and inter-caste marriages are becoming more common.
• Ordering food online culture, Inter-dining with any caste has diluted norms
• Job opportunities- fading up the differentiation
• Urbanisation anonymity loosening the caste fabric
• Globalisation, jobs are open to all eligible
• Rise of middle class

So while caste may persist in name and some customs, deprivation and privileges associated with caste are gradually receding giving rise to a more egalitarian society.