Social Mobility

noun (uncountable)

/ˈsəʊʃəl məˈbɪlɪti/

The movement of individuals, families, or groups between different levels of a social hierarchy — upward (improving socio-economic status) or downward (declining status) — across generations (intergenerational) or within a single lifetime (intragenerational). In India, the caste system historically restricted social mobility by ascribing status at birth. Post-independence affirmative action (reservations in education and employment under Articles 15(4), 16(4)) was designed to accelerate social mobility for SCs, STs, and OBCs. India ranks 76th on the World Economic Forum's Global Social Mobility Index (2020).

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The National Education Policy, 2020's emphasis on vocational training and multidisciplinary higher education is premised on the assumption that human capital investment is the primary driver of intergenerational social mobility in post-reform India.

Synonyms

social advancementupward mobilitysocial progressionclass mobilitysocioeconomic movement

Antonyms

social immobilitycaste rigiditysocial stagnationascriptive hierarchydownward mobility

🌱 Word Family

mobile (adjective), mobility (noun), mobilize (verb), immobility (noun), upward mobility (compound noun)

🔡 Root

Latin socius = companion, ally + mobilis = movable, changeable (from movere = to move); literally 'the movability of social position'

📜 Etymology

The compound 'social mobility' was introduced into sociological vocabulary by Pitirim Sorokin in his landmark work Social Mobility (1927), drawing on Latin socius (companion, ally — root of 'society') and mobilis (movable). Sorokin distinguished horizontal mobility (moving between same-level positions) and vertical mobility (movement up or down the hierarchy). The concept became central to stratification theory and policy debates on meritocracy.

🧠 Memory Hook

SOCIAL MOBILITY = the ability to MOVE in SOCIETY — up, down, or sideways in the class/status ladder. Think of a lift (elevator) in a building called 'Society': social mobility is whether the lift works or is stuck between floors. India's caste system has historically jammed the lift.

👥 Society 📖 Seen in: Salient Features of Indian Society — D... 📋 Also in Key Terms

Tip: press Alt+S to hear pronunciation