1. Segmental division:

So far as caste system is concerned, each caste is an autonomous group independent of the other. Membership in a caste is based on birth. Hence it is unchangeable.

For this reason mobility from one caste to another is impossible. Each caste has its own way of life. It has its own rules and regulations, customs, traditions, practices and rituals. It has its own governing body called the caste council to enforce the caste rules. In this way each caste is a social world by itself.

2. Hierarchy:

The caste system is hierarchical in nature. It comprises four varnas or castes. These in descending order of ranking are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. There are many castes between the two extremes-the Brahmins and the Shudras. Their social status depends upon their distance from the Brahmins. 

The untouchables exist outside the Varna scheme. This five-fold categorization is essentially a religious one, making distinctions on the basis of relative ritual purity. D.C. Bhattacharya rightly observes that “not only do the various castes form a hierarchy but the occupation practised by them, the various items of their diet and the customs they observe all form separate hierarchies.”

3. Endogamy:

Westermark regards endogamy as the essence of the caste system. Endogamy refers to marriage within the caste. The principle of endogamy forbids its members to marry outside the caste. The violation of the rule of endogamy would mean ostracism and loss of caste. Marriage within the Gotra or clan is prohibited. This rule of exogamy is observed strictly in the rural setting. Further, it is worth mentioning in this context that there are a few exceptions to the rule of endogamy in the form of anuloma and pratiloma marriage.

4. Fixity of occupation:

Caste system is characterized by fixity of occupation. Occupations are hereditary and the members of a caste are expected to follow their traditional occupation without fail. Brahmins are engaged in performing religious ceremonies. Washermen regard it their duty to wash clothes of other caste people. Some occupations like trade, agriculture, military service are, however, regarded as anybody’s callings.

5. Purity and Pollution:

The caste system is said to be founded on the concepts of purity and pollution. The concepts of purity and pollution provide one of the main criteria for determining the position of a caste or sub-caste in the hierarchical order.

The Brahmin is said to be the purest group. He is placed at the zenith of the caste hierarchy. On the other hand, Harijans, not included in the Varna scheme are considered as the most polluting and rank the lowest.

6. Unique culture:

According to Professor Ghurye, “Castes are small and complete social worlds in themselves, marked off definitely from one another, though subsisting within the larger society.” Every caste has a distinct culture, customs and traditions which distinguish it from those of the other castes. The food habits, occupational specialisation, behavioural patterns etc. of a caste are handed down from one generation to another through the process of socialisation.

7. Caste Panchayat:

The Caste Panchayat is concerned with all matters belonging to the code and discipline of the caste. Matters such as breaking the marriage promise, adultery by the wife, having illicit sex relations with people of another caste, killing cows, insulting Brahmins, non-payment of debt etc. are dealt with by the Caste Council.

The Caste Panchayat inflicts punishment on the erring members of the caste. The punishment varies from arranging dinner party for the fellow caste-men or giving fine to going through purification ceremonies, doing pilgrimage or suffering segregation.

8. Closed group:

Endogamy, fixity of occupation, heredity and unique culture combined together make caste a closed group. According to Max Weber, “Caste is doubtlessly a closed status group.” The reason why caste is a closed status group is that all the obligations and barriers that membership in a status group entails also exist in a caste where they are intensified to the higher degree.

9. A particular name:

Every caste has a particular name. Generally the occupation of a caste is known with the help of the name of the caste.