Caste in India: ‘blind recruitment’ for civil service won’t fix the system
“WHAT is your full name?” The question, when asked of an Indian is often intended to determine the respondent’s caste. In a society where rigid hierarchies run deep, the answer to an innocuous question can hold the key to many doors, especially when it comes to employment.
Naming conventions in India are marked by explicit connotations of caste lineage and, at times, even the intricate details of subcategories within a caste group too.
Today, names are typically shorter, with a first name and a surname which connote the caste group to which the person belongs.
A draft report commissioned by the Indian Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recommends that last names revealing the caste, religious, or cultural backgrounds of candidates
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