Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss.
Approach · directive: “discuss”
What it asks · Explain why marriages across castes of similar status have grown somewhat while interreligious marriages remain rare — the social, legal and political reasons.
It asks 2 things — answer each
- Discuss: why intercaste marriages between castes of socio-economic parity have increased, and the limits of that rise
- Discuss: why interreligious marriages have lagged, with social, legal and political reasons
Open with · NCERT notes that caste confines marriage within the caste; endogamy guards both caste and religious community, but it is cracking along caste lines faster.
Cover
- Why intercaste rose: education, urban jobs, migration and matrimonial platforms widen contact; parity means no loss of family status.
- State support: the state lifted the taboo on inter-caste marriage; Rs 2.50 lakh incentive under the Dr. Ambedkar scheme (2014-15).
- Protection: after Shakti Vahini (27 March 2018), MHA advised States on preventive, remedial and punitive steps against honour crime.
- Limits: still a small minority; cross-hierarchy unions, especially with Dalits, still meet violence.
- Why interreligious lags: personal law, inheritance, children's identity, conversion demands; the Special Marriage Act's 30-day notice; anti-conversion laws.
- Politics and segregation: polarised narratives, vigilantism and residential segregation cut contact.
Close with · Economic modernity loosens caste walls faster than religious ones; secularism's promise of equality between religions is tested in the freedom to marry across them.
Add value (verified)
- Couples with annual income up to Rs 5 lakh can get Rs 2.50 lakh under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages, started 2014-15.Steps taken by Government to deal with casteism and communalism — PIB, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 9 Mar 2021 ↗“such couples whose annual income is up to Rs. 5.00 lakh can also directly seek an incentive of Rs. 2.50 lakh under ‘Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages’ started during 2014-15”
- The inter-caste marriage scheme was merged into a centrally sponsored scheme from 31 March 2023.Dr. Ambedkar Foundation's inter-caste marriage scheme merged with centrally sponsored scheme — PIB, 8 Aug 2026 ↗“were merged with the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment with effect from March 31, 2023”
- MHA's advisory dated 31 May 2018 advised all States on preventive, remedial and punitive measures against honour crime.Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 2106, 31 July 2018 — Ministry of Home Affairs ↗“advisory dated 31.05.2018 had advised all States about the preventive, remedial and punitive measures required to be implemented to address the issues related to honour crime”
- The Supreme Court judgement of 27 March 2018 in Shakti Vahini vs. Union of India was followed by MHA's advisory on honour crime.Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 2106 (31 Jul 2018) — Ministry of Home Affairs ↗“In pursuance of the Judgement dated 27.03.2018 passed by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of Writ Petition (C) No. 231/2010 – Shakti Vahini vs. Union of India & ors, Ministry of Home Affairs vide its”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2024, GS Paper I — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 16 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 220words · Minimalist IAS
NCERT notes that caste confines marriage within the caste. Endogamy guards both caste and religious community, but it is cracking along caste lines faster.
| Factor | Intercaste (parity) | Interreligious |
|---|---|---|
| Family status | Little loss when ranks match | Identity, conversion at stake |
| Law | Same personal law | Special Marriage Act, 30-day notice |
Why intercaste marriages have grown
- Wider contact: education, urban jobs, migration and matrimonial platforms mix youth across caste.
- Parity eases acceptance: similar economic and ritual rank means families see no fall in status.
- State support: couples earning up to Rs 5 lakh could get Rs 2.50 lakh under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages (2014-15; merged into a centrally sponsored scheme in 2023).
- Protection: after the Shakti Vahini judgment (27 March 2018), MHA advised States on preventive, remedial and punitive steps.
- Limits: still a small minority; upper caste–Dalit unions meet violence.
Why interreligious marriages lag
- Sharper boundary: religion shapes personal law, inheritance and children's identity; conversion is often demanded.
- Legal friction: the Special Marriage Act's 30-day public notice exposes couples; State anti-conversion laws add scrutiny.
- Politics and segregation: polarised narratives and segregated neighbourhoods cut contact.
Way forward
- Protect and normalise: safe houses for couples, privacy-protecting registration, mixed schools.
Economic modernity loosens caste walls faster than religious ones; secularism's promise is tested in the freedom to marry across them.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 16 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
