Every caste, for him, is divided into sub-castes which are:
1. The unit of endogamy;
2. Whose members follow a common occupation?
3. The units of social and ritual life;
4. Whose members share a common culture; and
5. Whose members are governed by the same authoritative body, viz., the panchayat?
Besides these factors of the sub-caste, for Srinivas, certain other attributes are also important. These are:
1. Hierarchy:
2. Occupational differentiation:
3. Restrictions on commensality, dress, speech and custom are also found among castes. There is a dietic hierarchy and restrictions on acceptance of food.
4. Pollution:
5. Caste Panchayats and Assemblies:
