PPT: Salient features of Indian Society | Indian Society for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Salient Features 
of Indian Society
Page 2


Salient Features 
of Indian Society
Understanding Indian Society
Society represents a group of people sharing common culture, language, 
religion, and values that provide members with identity and a sense of 
belonging.
Indian society stands out as an extraordinarily complex mosaic of diverse 
ethnicities, religions, languages, and traditions coexisting for millennia within 
a unified framework.
Page 3


Salient Features 
of Indian Society
Understanding Indian Society
Society represents a group of people sharing common culture, language, 
religion, and values that provide members with identity and a sense of 
belonging.
Indian society stands out as an extraordinarily complex mosaic of diverse 
ethnicities, religions, languages, and traditions coexisting for millennia within 
a unified framework.
Diversity: The Heart of Indian Society
M u l t i - e t h n i c
Indo-Aryans (North & West), 
Dravidians (South), Mongoloids 
(Northeast), and various tribal 
communities (Central & 
Northeast regions)
M u l t i - l i n g u a l
121 languages recorded in 
census; 22 official scheduled 
languages including Hindi, 
Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, 
and Gujarati
M u l t i - r e l i g i o u s
Hinduism (79.8%), Islam 
(14.2%), Christianity (2.3%), 
Sikhism (1.7%), Buddhism, 
Jainism, and numerous other 
faith traditions
This remarkable diversity creates a cultural tapestry unlike anywhere else in the world, with traditions and 
practices varying dramatically across regions.
Page 4


Salient Features 
of Indian Society
Understanding Indian Society
Society represents a group of people sharing common culture, language, 
religion, and values that provide members with identity and a sense of 
belonging.
Indian society stands out as an extraordinarily complex mosaic of diverse 
ethnicities, religions, languages, and traditions coexisting for millennia within 
a unified framework.
Diversity: The Heart of Indian Society
M u l t i - e t h n i c
Indo-Aryans (North & West), 
Dravidians (South), Mongoloids 
(Northeast), and various tribal 
communities (Central & 
Northeast regions)
M u l t i - l i n g u a l
121 languages recorded in 
census; 22 official scheduled 
languages including Hindi, 
Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, 
and Gujarati
M u l t i - r e l i g i o u s
Hinduism (79.8%), Islam 
(14.2%), Christianity (2.3%), 
Sikhism (1.7%), Buddhism, 
Jainism, and numerous other 
faith traditions
This remarkable diversity creates a cultural tapestry unlike anywhere else in the world, with traditions and 
practices varying dramatically across regions.
Unity in Diversity: The Indian Paradox
Despite vast differences in languages, customs, and beliefs, 
India maintains remarkable social cohesion through several 
unifying forces:
Constitutional secularism guarantees religious freedom and 
equality before law
Cultural syncretism emerges from centuries of coexistence 
and mutual influence
Shared history of ancient civilizations and freedom struggle
National symbols transcending regional identities
Challenges persist: Communal tensions, 
regionalism, and linguistic conflicts 
occasionally surface, requiring constant 
dialogue and democratic accommodation.
Page 5


Salient Features 
of Indian Society
Understanding Indian Society
Society represents a group of people sharing common culture, language, 
religion, and values that provide members with identity and a sense of 
belonging.
Indian society stands out as an extraordinarily complex mosaic of diverse 
ethnicities, religions, languages, and traditions coexisting for millennia within 
a unified framework.
Diversity: The Heart of Indian Society
M u l t i - e t h n i c
Indo-Aryans (North & West), 
Dravidians (South), Mongoloids 
(Northeast), and various tribal 
communities (Central & 
Northeast regions)
M u l t i - l i n g u a l
121 languages recorded in 
census; 22 official scheduled 
languages including Hindi, 
Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, 
and Gujarati
M u l t i - r e l i g i o u s
Hinduism (79.8%), Islam 
(14.2%), Christianity (2.3%), 
Sikhism (1.7%), Buddhism, 
Jainism, and numerous other 
faith traditions
This remarkable diversity creates a cultural tapestry unlike anywhere else in the world, with traditions and 
practices varying dramatically across regions.
Unity in Diversity: The Indian Paradox
Despite vast differences in languages, customs, and beliefs, 
India maintains remarkable social cohesion through several 
unifying forces:
Constitutional secularism guarantees religious freedom and 
equality before law
Cultural syncretism emerges from centuries of coexistence 
and mutual influence
Shared history of ancient civilizations and freedom struggle
National symbols transcending regional identities
Challenges persist: Communal tensions, 
regionalism, and linguistic conflicts 
occasionally surface, requiring constant 
dialogue and democratic accommodation.
Social Hierarchy and Caste System
O r i g i n
Emerged from the Varna system in ancient Hindu 
society, dividing people into Brahmins (priests), 
Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and 
Shudras (laborers)
F e a t u r e s
Hierarchical, hereditary, endogamous groups with 
specific occupations, rituals, and social norms; 
eventually subdivided into thousands of jatis (sub-
castes)
I m p a c t
Created rigid social stratification and inequality, 
particularly affecting those considered "untouchable" 
(now known as Dalits)
T r a n s f o r m a t i o n
Legal abolition of untouchability (Article 17), affirmative 
action (reservations) for disadvantaged groups, and 
social reform movements
Despite legal protections, caste continues to influence social interactions, marriage patterns, and political dynamics, 
especially in rural areas. Understanding this system is crucial for analyzing many contemporary social issues.