Final answer:
The caste system is a closed stratification system most commonly found in India. It places people in social layers with similar occupations, privileges, and status. There are four main castes and outcastes known as Dalits or untouchables.
Step-by-step explanation:
The caste system is a system of stratification most commonly found in India. It is a Hindu practice that places people in social layers with similar occupations, privileges, and status. The caste system is a closed stratification system, meaning social standing is based on ascribed status or birth. It determines all aspects of an individual's life, including occupations, marriage partners, and housing. There are four main castes: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors), Vaishyas (workers, farmers, and craftsmen), and Shudras (servants and laborers). Additionally, there are outcastes known as Dalits or untouchables who are at the bottom of the social hierarchy and face extreme poverty and discrimination.