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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2025/Paper II/Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper II 2025 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Varnashrama and Its Contemporary Relevance — 2025 Paper II

Question · 2025 · Paper II · 10 Marks

Varnashrama and its contemporary relevance

Model Answer

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Introduction

Varnashrama-dharma is a normative Brahmanical scheme combining four social categories - Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra - with four ideal stages of life: brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa. It sought to relate social duty to the life cycle and the wider goals of dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

Structure and purpose

  • Brahmacharya: disciplined learning and preparation.
  • Grihastha: household, production, reproduction and support of society.
  • Vanaprastha: gradual withdrawal and social-spiritual reflection.
  • Sannyasa: renunciation and pursuit of liberation.
  • The varna model allocated idealised ritual and occupational duties, while actual Indian society was organised through thousands of regionally specific jatis, not four uniform groups.

Contemporary relevance and limitations

The ashrama ideal can be reinterpreted as balanced education, family responsibility, public service and reflective ageing. The language of duty may encourage professional ethics and intergenerational responsibility.

However, hereditary varna hierarchy cannot be defended as a modern division of labour. In the Gandhi-Ambedkar debate, Gandhi at different stages defended a reformed, non-hierarchical ideal of varna based on duty, whereas Ambedkar argued in Annihilation of Caste (1936) that caste was a graded “division of labourers” maintained through endogamy. Constitutional equality, Articles 14-17, occupational choice and individual rights reject ascribed rank and untouchability.

Conclusion

Varnashrama has historical and philosophical significance, but only its non-hereditary ethical themes can retain relevance. Contemporary society must preserve dignity, learning and responsibility while rejecting birth-based hierarchy and exclusion.

Diagram to draw: Varna: social duties + Ashrama: life-course duties -> normative order; modern filter: retain ethics, reject hereditary inequality.

Selected authentic sources: P. V. Kane, History of Dharmasastra; Louis Dumont, Homo Hierarchicus; M. N. Srinivas; B. R. Ambedkar, Annihilation of Caste (1936), including his reply to Gandhi; Constitution of India, Articles 14-17.

2026 What are the major debates related to the concept of jajmani system? 2026 Does caste as a social category exist among the non-Hindu communities in India? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples. 2025 Caste domination, factionalism and political power 2025 Characteristics and communication between Little and Great Traditions

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