I am writing a paper of the Society of The India people and one of the questions I need to answer is

A clear differentiation between race and ethnicity in India?

I am not sure I understand what I need to write Can any one give a better understanding what I need or example

Most scholars count only one race in India, but over 2,000 different ethnic groups. Check these articles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_definitions_of_races_in_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_India

This seems to be the best summary

DuBois (1947)
In 1947, W.E.B. DuBois, sociologist and historian, said, "[t]he final word of science, so far, is that we have at least two perhaps three, great families of human beings -- the whites and Negroes, possibly the yellow race [he calls this "Mongolian" later][39]. The other races have arisen from the intermingling of the blood of these two." [39] Later, there was a "change in his anthropological view", where he postulated "Negroids and Mongoloids are primary, with Caucasoids listed as a type between these, possibly formed by their union, with bleached skin and intermediate hair."[39] DuBois identifies "first a prehistoric susbtratum of Negrillos; then the pre-Dravidians, a taller, larger type of Negro; then the Dravdians, Negroes with some mixture of Mongoloid and later Caucasian stocks. The Dravdian negroes laid the basis of Indian culture thousands of years before the Christian era.[40] We find upon us today in the world's stage eight distinctly differentiated races, in the sense that History tells us the word must be used... the Hindoos of Central Asia... among the Hindoos are traces of widely differing nations."[39]

Thus DuBois believed that the Dravidians are a mixture of races including that of the Caucasoid stock.

To clearly differentiate between race and ethnicity in India, it is essential to understand the meanings of these two terms.

Race refers to a biological classification system that categorizes people into distinct groups based on physical characteristics such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features. It primarily revolves around the concept of genetic differences among populations. However, it is important to note that the concept of race is considered socially constructed rather than scientifically valid. In India, due to its diverse population, it can be challenging to apply race as a meaningful categorization tool.

On the other hand, ethnicity refers to a social construct that denotes the cultural, linguistic, religious, and historical background of a particular group of people. It is based on shared customs, traditions, beliefs, and heritage. Ethnicity is a more inclusive term that acknowledges the cultural variations within a society and recognizes the importance of these differences in shaping social identities.

In the context of India, it is crucial to understand that the country is home to numerous ethnic groups. Each group has its own distinct culture, language, customs, and traditions. Examples of ethnic groups in India include Bengali, Punjabi, Kashmiri, Tamil, Gujarati, and many more.

When differentiating between race and ethnicity in India, it is essential to emphasize that race is not a commonly used concept or classification in the country because the population is incredibly diverse. The focus is usually on ethnicity, as it highlights the rich cultural mosaic and the various social identities that exist within Indian society.

To provide an example while writing your paper, you can mention that while different communities in India exhibit diverse physical appearances, it is important to avoid applying racial labels or stereotypes. Instead, emphasize how Indian society appreciates and celebrates the diverse ethnicity, languages, and cultures that coexist across the country.