Why Gen Z Is Moving Beyond Caste — And How Over 3,000 Castes Emerged in India

Patna:
In a state long defined by caste-based politics and social structures, Bihar’s Gen Z generation is scripting a quiet but decisive revolution. Born between 1997 and 2012, this digitally native generation is steadily breaking away from traditional caste identities and embracing a more progressive, issue-based outlook — a shift that has begun to reshape the state’s political and social landscape.

The impact of this transformation was clearly visible in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, where entrenched caste equations were overturned. Against all expectations, the NDA secured a historic 202-seat victory, a result few analysts — or even the alliance itself — had anticipated. Political observers increasingly attribute this outcome to Gen Z voters, whose choices cut across caste lines.

The Power of First-Time Voters

Nearly 14 lakh first-time voters, most of them just over 18 years old, participated enthusiastically in the 2025 elections, contributing to record voter turnout. A significant section of these young voters chose candidates and parties based not on caste loyalty, but on broader concerns such as governance, employment, corruption, and development.

The results were striking. Veteran RJD leader Lalit Yadav, who had won six consecutive Assembly elections between 1995 and 2020, was defeated by a margin of 18,000 votes in 2025 — a symbolic moment reflecting the erosion of traditional vote banks.

With nearly 58% of Bihar’s population under the age of 25, Gen Z now represents a decisive electoral force capable of influencing outcomes across constituencies.

Why Gen Z Thinks Differently

Gen Z is the first generation to grow up fully immersed in the digital ecosystem. Constant exposure to online platforms has expanded their access to information and global perspectives. As a result, they tend to be more vocal on human rights, unemployment, gender equality, corruption, climate change, and social justice than on inherited social identities.

Unlike earlier generations, Gen Z engages actively on social media, questions established narratives, and values diversity and inclusivity. For them, caste is increasingly seen as a legacy issue, while real-life challenges demand immediate solutions.

Origins of the Caste System

Historically, India did not begin with rigid caste identities. Ancient texts such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata mention individuals with single names — King Dasharatha, Rama, Arjuna, or Dronacharya — without surnames or caste markers.

Initially, Indian society was organized around the varna system, a broad classification based on roles and duties. The detailed segmentation into thousands of castes evolved much later. During the Buddhist period, people began using descriptive titles linked to knowledge or skill — for instance, Chaturvedi for scholars of the four Vedas — without these being caste labels.

Over time, especially during the Mughal era, occupational identities such as Kumbhakar (potter), Swarnakar (goldsmith), and Karmakar (artisan) became more widespread, gradually solidifying into caste identities. However, the system remained relatively fluid and non-institutional.

British Rule and the Institutionalization of Caste

According to research by Professor Vidhu Shekhar, the rigid and institutional nature of caste and surnames took shape during British rule. British administrators found India’s single-name tradition inconvenient for legal, administrative, and land records. To streamline governance, they mandated surnames, often based on lineage, occupation, or perceived caste.

Colonial record-keeping — including land revenue documents, police registers, and school admissions — forced Indians to formally declare surnames, thereby hardening caste identities. This process ultimately led to the recognition and documentation of over 3,000 castes and sub-castes across the subcontinent.

A Generational Shift Underway

Today, Gen Z appears less burdened by these historical classifications. While caste still plays a role in welfare schemes and political mobilization, young voters are increasingly prioritizing performance, opportunity, and accountability over inherited identity.

As Bihar — and India — moves forward, this generational shift suggests that the future of politics may be shaped less by caste arithmetic and more by aspirations, governance, and digital-era consciousness.