Meritocracy is a social system in which individuals are rewarded and allocated positions or opportunities based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments rather than on factors such as wealth, social status, or family connections. This concept emphasizes the idea that advancement should be based on merit rather than privilege or nepotism. Meritocracy aims to create a fair and equal society by ensuring that individuals are judged and rewarded based on their talents and efforts rather than on factors beyond their control. However, critics argue that true meritocracy is difficult to achieve in practice due to systemic inequalities and biases that can still influence opportunities and outcomes.