HS Special Desk 
Introduction on Education and Social Mobility Education is universally heralded as the great equalizer, the most potent vehicle for social mobility, capable of lifting individuals from the confines of their birth and granting them access to better opportunities. In the diverse and densely populated region of South Asia—encompassing Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—this … Read more
Introduction on Marriage among Hindus In India, marriage is far more than a mere legal contract or a romantic union between two individuals. For Hindus, who constitute the majority of the country’s population, marriage is a profound sanskara (sacrament), a pivotal religious duty, and a fundamental building block of the social order. To understand Marriage among Hindus … Read more
Introduction on Monogamy and Polygamy Marriage In India, marriage is a complicated social institution that is ingrained in the nation’s religious, cultural, and legal fabric. It is not just a union of two people. A fascinating sociological contradiction arises from the practices of polygamy (having multiple spouses at the same time) and monogamy (marrying one … Read more
The caste system in India has long been perceived by both observers and its subjects as a rigid, hierarchical, and immutable structure. The varna model—dividing society into the fourfold hierarchy of Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (servants), with the Dalits (untouchables) existing outside its pale—presents an image of eternal, divinely ordained social … Read more
Introduction on Panchayati Raj Institutions: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 stands as one of the most radical pieces of legislation in the history of independent India. On the surface, it is a legal document that provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), mandating a three-tier system of … Read more
Introduction The Green Revolution, which began in the 1960s, was a significant agricultural transformation that aimed to increase food production in India through the adoption of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and modern irrigation techniques. While it successfully addressed food shortages and boosted agricultural productivity, it also brought profound socio-economic and cultural changes … Read more
Introduction The Community Development Programme (CDP) was one of the most significant initiatives launched in post-independence India to bring about rural transformation. Introduced on October 2, 1952, it aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of rural communities through participatory development. From a sociological perspective, the CDP was not merely an economic or administrative program but … Read more
Introduction The village Panchayat is one of the oldest forms of local self-governance in India, deeply rooted in the country’s socio-political history. Functioning as a decentralized administrative body, the Panchayat system has played a crucial role in maintaining social order, resolving disputes, and ensuring community welfare in rural India. From ancient times to the present, … Read more
Introduction The idea of self-sufficiency in traditional Indian villages has been a subject of great interest among sociologists, economists, and policymakers. Indian villages were romanticized by colonial administrators such as Charles Metcalfe as “little republics” that were socially cohesive and economically autonomous. Mahatma Gandhi, too, idealized the self-sufficient village as the foundation of India’s development. … Read more
Introduction India, with its vast rural landscape, presents a complex interplay between relative isolation and social integration in its villages. While some villages remain relatively isolated due to geographical, economic, and cultural barriers, others are increasingly integrated into broader social, economic, and political networks. This comparative study explores the sociological implications of these two contrasting … Read more