Under the constitution, Muslims and Christians are not eligible for most of the caste-based reservations available to Hindus and others. People belonging to OBCs inherited other social class identities that have been socially and educationally disadvantaged. Scheduled Castes, also known as Dalits (or by the pejorative term “untouchables”), are made up of groups who were traditionally ostracized and relegated to “polluting” occupations like fishing, scavenging and sewer cleaning. In an effort to reduce disadvantages caused by caste, the government has affirmative action programs known as “reservations.” India’s constitution reserves 15% of government jobs and seats in institutions of higher education for people identified as belonging to Scheduled Castes, 7.5% for those who belong to Scheduled Tribes and 27% for those of “Other Backward Classes” (OBCs). Historically, the caste someone was born into permanently determined their status in the social hierarchy, along with their available social circle and what careers they could pursue. In India, castes are hereditary social classes.
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