Methods, systems and computer readable media for efficient state change support for hierarchical data models in a virtualized system are described. In some implementations, the method can include determining a system status including a system-level bit masked word having a plurality of bits, each bit corresponding to a status of a different hierarchical level of the system, and receiving a change notification. The method can also include querying an entity at a lower hierarchy level if a cascaded state change is identified for that entity. The method can further include continuing to query one or more entities in successively lower hierarchy levels so long as a cascaded state change is identified for a corresponding entity in a lower hierarchy level. The method can also include determining the current status for one or more entities having a changed status. Identifying a cascaded state change can include performing a logical exclusive OR operation on a previous status bit masked word and a current status bit masked word of an entity.