Decline of the caste system in India: (i) Efforts of social reformers like Phule, Gandhiji, Ambedkar against caste system have helped to promote a casteless society. (ii) Economic development has reduced the emphasis on caste. (iii) Large scale urbanisation has diminished the awareness of caste, as people rub shoulders in buses, trains and offices. (iv) Growth of literacy and education has helped to decrease the belief in caste. (v) Occupational mobility is possible now and children are not compelled to continue the profession of the family or father. (vi) Weakening of the position of landlords in the villages has led to decline of the rigid caste barriers in villages. (vii) Constitutional provisions such as Right to Equality of all before law have helped to prevent discrimination legally. (viii) Policy of reservation of seats in local selfgovernment bodies and legislatures as well in educational institutes have helped to uplift the political, social and economic position of lower castes.