Annihilation of Caste – B. R. Ambedkar

Brief Description of the Book

Annihilation of Caste is a seminal political and social critique in which B. R. Ambedkar attacks the caste system as an institution rooted in graded inequality, religious sanction, and social exclusion. The text goes beyond social reform to argue for constitutional morality, individual dignity, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It is indispensable for GS-1 (Society), GS-2 (Constitutional values), GS-4 (Ethics), and Essay, especially on social justice, democracy, and inclusion.

The following extracts may be used in OPSC answer writing:

“Caste is not merely a division of labour; it is a division of labourers.”→ GS-1 Society / GS-4 Ethics: Structural inequality, dignity of labour, social justice

“The caste system is not merely a social division, but a hierarchy.”→ GS-1 / Essay: Graded inequality, social stratification in Indian society

“An ideal society should be mobile, full of channels for conveying a change taking place in one part to other parts.”→ GS-1 / GS-2: Social mobility, inclusive growth, responsive governance

“Liberty, equality and fraternity are not to be treated as separate items in a trinity.”→ GS-2 Polity / GS-4 Ethics: Constitutional morality, interlinked democratic values

“Without fraternity, liberty and equality could not become a natural course of things.”→ GS-4 Ethics / Essay: Social harmony, empathy, ethical foundations of democracy

“Social reformers must not content themselves with merely attacking untouchability.”→ GS-1 Society: Need for structural reforms, not cosmetic change

“You cannot build anything on the foundation of caste.”→ Essay / GS-2: Nation-building, limits of social exclusion, democratic cohesion

“The real remedy for breaking caste is inter-marriage.”→ GS-1 / GS-4: Social integration, ethical courage, reformist measures

“Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy.”→ GS-2 Polity / Essay: Limits of electoral democracy, need for social justice

“Democracy is not merely a form of government; it is essentially a form of social organisation.”→ GS-2 / GS-4: Participatory democracy, everyday ethics of citizenship

“Caste destroys the notion of a public.”→ GS-1 / Essay: Weakening of social trust, fragmentation of society

“The sooner Hindu society realises that caste is incompatible with democracy, the better.”→ GS-2 / Essay: Constitutional values vs social practices