More often than not, social change is a result of the interaction of multiple factors. 

1. Physical factors : This factor is also known as geographical or natural factor. Physical factors consist of climatic conditions, physical environment, biodiversity, natural resources etc. Social change is to some extent conditioned by physical factors. Natural calamities such as famine or drought affect human lives. The Latur earthquake in 1993, in Maharashtra had long-term impact in terms of displacement. However, geographical conditions may also be favourable for human settlements. For example, people who live in areas which have plenty of rain, suitable soil conditions, rich in minerals have progressed more rapidly. 

2. Biological factor : This factor is also known as demographic factor. Biological factors influence numbers i.e., population, sex composition, birth rate and death rate, fertility rate and the hereditary quality of successive generations factors like size and composition of population produce social change. Socioeconomic development and access to opportunities is affected by size of population. For example, the growing population of senior citizens or declining number of youths in some communities creates new challenges for society. 

3. Socio-cultural factor : Any change in cultural order is accompanied by a corresponding change in the whole social order. Cultural diffusion is a source of change. Ideas propounded by biologist Charles Darwin, psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and thinker Karl Marx, for example, in the past century, have had significant impact across the globe. Also, there are negative consequences of ideologies that promote religious fundamentalism, extremist thinking, superstitious beliefs and practices which are stumbling blocks to change.

4. Economic factor : Economic development affects different institutions. The growth of large- scale industries led to a spurt in cities, employment opportunities, professionalism, exploitation, trade unionism and so forth. Economic competition has resulted in classconflict increase in materialism in society. The ‘conflict approached’ as stated by Karl Marx has had a significant impact on understanding social change and also on movements against injustice in society. For example: peasant movement, labour movement, women’s movement etc. Globalization as an economic process continues to have a huge impact on Indian society.

5. Technological factor : One of the benchmarks of a so-called civilized society is its extent of technological development. Technological development continuous to be an index of the overall progress of society. Our daily life is increasingly loaded with the effects of technology from our homes to our work places, entertainment, voting, banking, e-business, e-governance, etc., opportunities for e-learning, online examination is possible today, due to technological innovations. 

6. Educational factor: Education is a means to develop ideas and skills, solve problems, transform people. People do acquire knowledge, skills, develop competencies and then use these to seek employment or selfemployment. Use of technology within education through e-learning, online education, smart boards, virtual classrooms, have brought about far reaching changes even within the field of education.