Caste, class, and merit in naval service

How does India's caste system affect the Indian Navy?

Caste pressures can reappear within the service, but naval leaders repeatedly work to keep ability and commitment to service central to advancement.

Indian naval officers have repeatedly worked to prevent caste from obstructing service and advancement on merit. Social pressures can return in different forms because the navy operates within the wider society. The comparison with Britain's class system presents this as an institutional problem requiring continuing attention. The desired standard is advancement through ability and commitment to service.