Factors affecting social changes in India:

Geographical factor (Physical environment): Social change takes place due to physical environment or
geographical factor. Floods, earthquakes, famine, epidemics, fires, excessive rains, drought hot or cold
climate transform the life style of people. The changing face of the earth due to advancing deserts or
due to irrigation also affects population to a great extent.
Biological factor: Biological factors like heredity prepare the way for social change. The biological
heredity determines the general and glandular constitution of the offspring which is closely related to
temperament, intelligence, physique, activity level and other potentialities of individuals. Biological
factors result into better equipped or less equipped persons, strong or weak persons and several other
changes in social set up. Difference in sex ratio which is in fact the result of the biological factor, changes
customs of marriage makes changes in social set up and social structure.
Demographic factor: Population plays a vital of social change. Due to increase or decrease in population
the possibility of social change is also influenced. Because of these factors change in social structure of
the country is taking place at a rapid speed. Decrease or increase in the population has an immediate
effect upon economic institutions and associations. The ratio of men to women in a society affects
marriage, family and the condition of women in a society.
Technological and scientific factors: Technological and scientific inventions such as various types of
machines and equipments etc. are potent factors in social change. They break regional barriers by
providing easy and fast means of communication as well as of conveyance. The press, radio and
aeroplane together have brought the world closer and provided for intercultural impacts. Scientific
inventions in the field of medicine, public health, community organization, the means of transportation,
the means of knowledge, dissemination and interaction, and physical environment are regarded as
significant factors in social change.
Ideological factors: Social change is caused by ideological factors. Ideas rule the world. Philosophical,
scientific and political ideas significantly influence social change. New scientific thoughts, new religious
ideas, new philosophies revolutionize the world. Rise of Buddhism, Communism, and Fascism have
magically influenced new thought and human mind and changed its attitudes and values of life. Ideas
like "liberty, equality, equality and fraternity", became a powerful force for bringing about a revolution
as they did in the case of French Revolution in 1789. Similarly ideologies like communism, socialism and
democracy have impact on changing the patterns of society.
Cultural factors: Human culture is a process of change. Any change in cultural order is accompanied by a
corresponding change in the whole social order. Culture gives speed and direction to social change and
determines the limits beyond which social changes cannot occur. Cultural factors change from
generation to generation and they bring about the change in the society.
Psychological factors: Psychological factors are important elements in social change. Man by nature is a
lover of change. He is always trying to discover new things in every sphere of his life and is always
anxious for new experiences. As a result of this tendency the most traditions, customs etc. of every
human society are undergoing perpetual change.
War: War is also a cause of social change because it influences the population, the economic situation
and ratio of males to female, etc.
New opinions and thoughts: Another factor of social change is the appearance of new opinions and
thoughts. For example changes in the attitudes towards dowry, caste system, female education, etc.
have resulted in wide spread social variations and modifications. In fact, a majority of the social
revolutions take place as a result of the evolution of new ways of thinking.
Voluntary acts of individuals: History is replete with examples where "all important social and cultural
changes are brought about by men of genius." In the modern world, Lenin in Russia and Mahatma
Gandhi in India, have had a profound influence, and it would be difficult to demonstrate that our world
would have been different had they not lived and acted as they did.
Acceptance by high status individuals: Any change would become easily accepted in the society if the
people who are in high position would accept the change.
Legislation: Legislation plays an important role in bringing about planned social change. Abolition of
slavery in the U.S.A. could be affected by legislation and it brought about massive change in the social
structure and systems of not only the U.S.A. But other parts of the world as well. Compulsory primary
and secondary education in Western and Asian countries, legislation against practice of untouchability,
raising the age of marriage by law, ensuring the property rights of women, are a few measures which
have brought about radical social changes in various countries including India.
Education: Education is the most powerful factor of social change and it is discussed separately.
Definition & Meaning of Modern Society
When society is industrialized it is considered to be modern society or it can be defined as people living
together in current time.
It is based on expansion of education, technology, industry and urban life. It has a complex culture
changing with the time. Its base is materializing. Due to diverse social conditions heterogeneous life is
found. Social problems of various nature develop among various groups.
Modern society is often called materialistic, where people no longer produce product for living. Instead
they produce goods to sell in the market. People don’t rely their own. For example they go to market for
groceries instead of owning gardens and animals. These societies stress on quality of education for all.
Characteristics of Modern Society
characteristics of a modern society include
Advance industry and technology: It is also called post industrial society having, highly complex, and
advance industrial and technological systems. This is full of automation with minimum role of human
being in its operation.
Urbanization: This is a model of urbanization. A cluster of societies, towns and residential areas are
established fulfilling the residential needs of the people
High population pressure: Population size is very high having millions of people in cities.
Sub social institutions: Basic social institutions along with their sub-institutions or working organizations
are found in it, this is due to heterogeneity in the needs of the people and volume of population.
Job opportunities: These societies are hub of industrial and economic organizations. Offices of these
companies are located in these societies due to which, better job opportunities are available for
educated, semi educated and technically skillful persons.
Better income opportunities: Due to economic activity, industries, commercial and better income
opportunities are available for the people of materialistic society.
Social stratification: People are divided in to different social strata based on their socio-economic
background. A highly complex division of labor along with specialization is found.
Urban facilities: Modern urban facilities like fax, telephone, internet, cable, mobile phone, gas,
electricity, water treatment plant, sewerage system, air ports, railways, road networks, big commercial
areas, hospital, school, colleges, universities etc. are available in it.
Sources of communication: Modern sources of communication like telephone, internet, mobile phone,
fax, cable are applied while communicating each others.
Social mobility: Due better education, industrialization, economic and job opportunities, a high degree
of social mobility is found among people of this type of society. People frequently change their
profession, jobs and place of residences.
International relation: These societies develop better relation with their neighboring countries which
provide economic and military benefits to them.
Crime rate: Due to anonymity and population pressure, a high degree of crime rate is found. Murder,
theft, dacoits, robbery, rape etc. happen many times in a day.
Women status: Status of women in modern society is high. Women are highly educated and work
parallel to men in different walks of life. They are given due importance and. share in decision making
and resource sharing.