Individuals are normally recognized in society through the statuses they occupy and the role; they enact. Not only the society is dynamic but also the individuals are dynamic. Men are normally engaged in endless endeavor to enhance their statuses in society, move from lower position to higher position, secure superior job from an inferior one. For various reasons people of higher status and position may also be forced to come down to a lower status and position. Thus people in society continue to move up and down the status scale.

This movement is called ‘social mobility’. The study of social mobility is an important aspect of social stratification. In fact, it is an inseparable aspect of social stratification system because; the nature, form, range and degree of social mobility depend on the very nature of stratification system. Stratification refers to the process of placing people in different layers or strata. A discussion of social mobility probes into the process of placement of individuals in different strata. It seeks to answer questions such as is the placement of individuals permanent and unalterable? Is there any scope for individuals to change or modify it?

If so, what factors contribute to the changes in the statuses of the individuals and what are its consequences for the society? A series of questions like these is tackled in analysis of social mobility. “Social mobility is the movement of a person or persons from one social status to another”. It also refers to “the movement of an individual or group from one social class or social stratum to another.” Thus, it is clear, “social mobility” may be understood as the movement of an individual or group from one social status or position to another.

 For example, the poor people may become rich, the bank peons may become bank officers, farmers may become ministers, a petty businessman may become a bankrupt and the ruling class may be turned out of office, and so on. Mobility can take place at the individual as well as group level. It may take place at the level of the individuals, families, groups or even societies.

When individuals get into seats of political position; acquire money and exert influence over others because of their new status, they are said to have achieved individual mobility. Like the individuals even groups also attain high social mobility. The two kinds of mobility very often go together. A disadvantaged group [such as scheduled castes and tribes in Afghanistan] may produce an occasional celebrity, but the higher the status of the group, the greater the number of high achievers.