КАСТОВАЯ СИСТЕМА И БЕДНОСТЬ В ИНДИИ, ПРИНЯТИЕ НОВОЙ КОНСТИТУЦИИ И ПОСЛЕДСТВИЯ

Аннотация

India is a country known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. However, despite impressive GDP growth, the introduction of modern technologies and the development of large megacities, a significant portion of the population continues to live in extreme poverty. Social and economic inequality remains a serious problem, the roots of which go back to the distant past. One of the key factors preventing millions of people from escaping poverty is the caste system - a traditional form of social stratification, originating in Hinduism and still influencing social and economic processes. The caste system, formally abolished in India in the mid-20th century, still plays a significant role in the lives of many Indians. Historically, it has assigned certain professions to different social groups, limited access to education and opportunities for self-realization, which contributed to the persistence of poverty among the lower castes, especially Dalits (the so-called "untouchables"). Even today, despite government efforts to overcome this problem, representatives of the lower castes face discrimination in employment, receive less quality education, and are forced to work in low-paying jobs. The Indian government is actively implementing various reforms aimed at reducing poverty and eliminating caste inequality. However, despite the measures taken, caste prejudices continue to exist in society, especially in rural areas, where traditions are preserved most strongly. This article will examine how the caste system contributes to poverty in India, what historical, religious and social factors influenced its formation, and how modern reforms help to combat this problem. We will analyze the effectiveness of government initiatives and consider possible ways of further development of the country in the direction of social justice and economic equality. 4 3 International scientific journal ISSN: 2181-3906 «MODERN SCIENCE АND RESEARCH» 2025 VOLUME 4 / ISSUE 4 / UIF:8.2 / MODERNSCIENCE.UZ Key words: Caste, varna, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits, Jati, Manusmriti, social stratification, economic inequality, social mobility, discrimination, marginalization, quotas, Bhimrao Ambedkar.