The extent of out-mobility of the sons of fathers from white-collar, professional and business occupations is higher than those from skilled and unskilled workers. Among agriculturists, the out-mobility of sons of agricultural labourers is relatively higher than that of the sons of owner or tenant cultivators.

The extent of in-mobility into business and owner cultivation is the least. Irrespective of social origins, sons find it relatively easier to move into non-agricultural occupations than into agricultural occupations.

The system does not offer equal occupational opportunities to sons of all origins.

[The author wishes to thank D L Sheth, Ramashray Roy and Ashis Nandy for their comments on an earlier draft of this paper.]