India, April 29 -- The founder of a matchmaking service company has sparked a viral conversation about the persistence of caste bias among India's educated elite. Her LinkedIn post features the story of a 32-year-old fashion label owner from a seemingly progressive family who insisted on "upper caste" matches, with a significant caveat. The prospective bride admitted she would waive the caste requirement only if a suitor earned over Rs.80 lakh annually.

"She wanted 'Upper Caste Matches' only unless the guy earned 80 LPA or more. This was told to me by a 32-year-old who runs her own fashion label. On paper, she comes from a very progressive and educated family with her father, an IPS officer and mother working as a teacher," Oendrila Kapo...