Sociology: Instruction
- Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 250
- There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI arid in ENGLISH.
- Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
- Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remitting, any THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each section.
- The number of marks carried by a question part is indicated against it.
- Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly WI the Miler of this Question-cum-Answer-QC., Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one. Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to
- Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off
Paper1: Section-A
Q1.Write short answers of the following in about 150 words each :
- Is sociology a science? Give reasons for your answer.
- Discuss the relevance of historical method in the study of society.
- What are variables? Discuss their role in experimental research.
- Which concepts did Weber use to analyse the forms of legitimate domination?
- “No society can either be absolutely open or absolutely closed.” comment.
Q2. 20+20+10 Marks
- Discuss the role of Calvinist ethic in the development of Capitalism.
- Examine the problems of maintaining objectivity and value neutrality in social science research.
- “Self and society are twin-born ” Examine the statement of Mead.
Q3. 20+20+10 Marks
- Why is random sampling said to have more reliability and validity in research?
- Differentiate between Maxian and Weberian theories of Social stratification.
- How had Enlightenment contributed to the emergence of sociology?
Q4 20+20+10 Marks
- “Non-positivistic methodology is essential for understanding human behaviour.” Discuss.
- How is social equilibrium maintained in Parsonian framework?
- “Anomie is rooted in social structure.” Explain with reference to R.K. Merton’s contribution.
Paper1: Section-B
Q5. Write short answers of the following in about 150 words each : 10*5=50
- Distinguish between the social organization of work in feudal society and in capitalist society.
- “Ideology is crucial for social transformation in a democracy.” Discuss.
- Distinguish between sects and cults with illustrations.
- Is male authority absent in matrilineal society? Discuss.
- Explain the relevance of the idea of ‘cultural lag’ in understanding social change.
Q6. 20+20+10 Marks
- “Education helps in perpetuating social and economic inequalities.” Critically examine the statement.
- Explain the conditions under which a collective action transforms into a social movement.
- How do the rules of descent and alliance in kinship differ from each other? Illustrate.
Q7. 20+20+10
- Define Secularisation. What are its major dimensions in the modern world?
- the increasing importance of the tertiary sector has weakened the formal organization of work in recent times. Examine the statement .
- Caste ideology appears to have strengthened democracy .Comment.
Q8. 20+20+10
- “Globalization involves deterritoriazation .” Examine with reference to the nation-state.”
- Examine the dialectical relation between tradition and modernity in the study of social change.
- Elaborate the views of Durkheim on “The Elementary Forms of Religious Life”.
Paper2: Section-A
Q1 Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words each: 10*5=50
- Verrier Elwin’s views on freedom for the tribals.
- Jyotirao Phule as an agrarian radical.
- Louis Dumont’s perspective on Indian caste system .
- How far Gandhi ji was trusted by the untouchables.
- Feminization of poverty.
Q2. 20+20+10
- Is caste system changing, weakening or disintegrating in India?
- Give some of the important studies relating to the structural changes in the Indian family system.
- Broadly comapare the kinship system of North and South India.
Q3. 20+20+10
- Discuss the paradigm of modernization of Indian tradition in analyzing social change in India.
- What is patriarchy? How does it affect the child socialization pattern in India?
- Discuss the problems of elderly in India. What are the different perspectives to solve their problems?
Q4. 20+20+10
- Discuss Marxist approach to the analysis of Indian nationalism.
- What are the basic tenets of Hindu religion? Is Hinduism based on monotheism or polytheism?
- Why is it necessary to implement PCPNDT Act in India?
Paper2: Section-B
Q5 . Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words each:10 x 5=50
- Important components of National Education Policy in India.
- Main objective of Tribal sub plan (TSP)
- Effect of displacement through development on the rural landless and marginal farmers .
- Issues relating to the informal labour market in urban India.
- How far Srinivas’s Sanskritization is modernizing force or traditionalizing force in understanding the changes in caste system?
Q6. 20+20+10 Marks
- Discuss the impact of post- 1970 feminist movement on Indian middle class.
- What are the major concerns of ethic identity and religious identity in India?
- How serious is the problem of trafficking against women and children in India?
Q7. 20+20+10
- Discuss B.R. Ambedkar as a wise democrat.
- Discuss the main features of farmers’ movements in independent India.
- To what extent the Muslim Personal Law Board is in agreement with Islamic feminist agenda?
Q8. 20+20+10
- Analyze Gandhi as a moralist, ascetic and man of action through his Hind Swaraj.
- Human development approach affirms that education and health –care growth are more important than economic growth. Discuss this issue in the light of post-liberalized Indian society.
- Write a brief note on the Freedom of Press.
![[Download] Topicwise UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-1 (GSM1): History, Geography, Social Science](https://mrunal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/mains-answer-writing-d1-500x383.jpg)
Can any one suggest as to how one should go about the preparation for sociology optional .As it is clearly visible that for these questions (esp Paper II) the standard textbooks won’t be of much help?
Read, read and read some more…thats the only way out brother..
Bad answer. Read what… that is the question.
start with ncerts and ignou material provided by the mrunal u can download it.then go for haralmbos and holborn the blue book this for paper 1
you can read a topic , relate it to relevant current affairs and add your perspective to it
Read Sunday magazine articles from Hindu…
Can any one suggest as to how one should go about the preparation for sociology optional .As it is clearly visible that for these questions (esp Paper II) the standard textbooks won’t be of much help?
Hello Sir, Please share the law optional question paper of this year’s exam
First of all, Standard books are always helpful.
1. Harlambos (Orange one)>> Give it a full reading and try to study in detail the thinkers mentioned in the syllabus. This is an excellent book as you will be able to retain much of it even in one reading.
2. For more detail on thinkers you may refer to Ritzer, but its language is tougher.
3. Go for Sociology NCERT 11th and 12th as they will provide you basic understanding.
4. Try reading B.A. IGNOU books. They are in much detail and you can skip the topics and thinkers not mentioned in the syllabus.
5. For both the papers you should get full printed study material from any of the sociology coaching for the sense of completion, eg. Saroj Samal, Mahaparta, Dharmendra etc.
6. For paper 2, C N Shankar Rao is quite good. If you have time, give a reading to Yogendra Singh’s “Social Change in India” also.
Underline every book you read so that you can revise in minimum time.
You should note down at least 2 thinkers who share different perspectives, for each topic mentioned the syllabus, especially for Paper2. You will find this in the IGNOU or printed material of any Sociology coaching. What is most important is answer writing practice. Either join any test series or practice questions from the internet, but you should get your answers evaluated from some expert.
Hi Abhinav
Thanks for your detailed guidance, but there is one doubt: many veterans say go for Blue Harlambos. So is there major difference between the two? Secondly there are a lot of Harlambos available online and that too with different price but same name. So which one to go for? Could you please provide the link for the exact book. TIA
Hi pawan..the orange book is a must read and forms the base for sociology optional..some topics in paper 1 should be read from the blue book as they are very well explained..but no need to buy it..for this you hardly need to xerox 50-100 odd pages from that book..all the best with your preparation:-)
Thanks Neeraj!
But are you sure you that the books name have not interchanged in this clarification, coz on Forum people have said exactly opposite.
Hi Pawan..i am not too aware of the comments on other forums..but the blue haralambos (expensive one) should be read only for topics like Sociology As Science, Research methods and analysis and socio v/s Common Sense in paper I..rest all topics are to be read from IGNOU BA notes which are compiled in a manner compatible with UPSC syllabus..Orange Haralambos is the base for conceptual understanding of the subject..so better to read orange book along with NCERTs to form a conceptual base and then move on to IGNOU and Ritzer..as far as paper II is concerned sources are wide and scattered..moreover the questions asked are very general in nature and hence a good understanding of paper I and GS will be of gr8 help in paper II as well..some suggested books will be IGNOU, Ram Ahuja, Nagla and Nadeem Hasnain..above all as I see it, the 2016 attempt could be the last one with optional papers as there are high chances of it getting scrapped from 2017 onwards..all da best :-)
Thanks for the detailed info. Regards
Most of the above questions I could tackle only on the basis of my IGNOU graduation notes .
Guys just give a glance to IGNOU notes because they are really comprehensive .
How does sociology paper seems to be this year ? Easy or difficult ? Any opinions would be helpful ..
For me, it appeared quite difficult compared to other years. Just completing the syllabus won’t help, rather questions were of generalist and applied type – for which writing sociological perspective is tough job.
Can any one suggest me that which subject as optional
Please clarify on, As per the instructions in question paper, the space left unanswered in question cum answer booklet to be struckoff. What happens if we fail to struck this off.
MOST OF US FAILED TO STRUCK OFF SPARE SPACE…SO DONT WORRY..
Can you please tell me which book by C N Shankar rao is good for paper 2- Sociology of Indian society or Principles of sociology with introduction to social thought?
Sir, please upload electrical engineering optional paper.
SIR please upload medical science optional question paper ASAP…thanks in advance.
Hello everyone,
could anyone help me with getting information about last year sociology topper LOK BANDHU’s exam strategy and optional answer writing technique…. as i believe that there are sociology optional toppers every year with very very good marks, while simultaneuosly most of the socio aspirants perform dismally…. So we ( socio ppl) need to know what extra or special things they mentioned or how they articulated answers…..Because extensive reading, notes-making and revision for sociology paper are the things, that most of us do…but still not all of us are getting good returns…….would be grateful to this website for the relevant information…..
Hi guys I have all related sociology reference books. I have changed my optional.So if u r in need of materials, contact me
i need one. give a call on 9452773001
please send hourlumbus both blue & orange in below email address
akhileshbhoir2012@gmail.com
yes bro i need big hourlumbus pdf and other stuff
my email id is pankajpandey2293@gmail.com
Yes brother I also need some books and notes.
Please provide your email address or contact number.
please send hourlumbus in below email address
Pankajpandey22293@gmail.com
give me ur mail id
pankajpandey2293@gmail.com is my email address
hey please give your email address ..
I dont have any basic knowledge for sociology but want to keep as a subject for mains basically i am a Chemistry graduate so as a kind person plesse help me.
Can you please provide me the socio study material dat u mentioned at rahulsaha112233@gmail.com, please.
Hello I’m giving upscale for the first time n I have chosen Sociology as optional, kindly guide me the books.
Most important thing do we need coaching for sociology?
Hi
I have choosen sociology but its going hard to understand in english language will anyone suggest me about the marathi material of sociology optional.
VAIBHAV CONTACT ME ON TELIGRAM 9561434413
Can send material on teligram 9561434413 sociology optional
Hi prasad if u have study material which is not useful to u.. it would be great if you give it to me.
how we explain sociology anwers in ias mains …. it need to be linkup with currents affairs
HI…everyone…anyone liberal minded.. may send materials regarding optional paper…SOCIOLOGY…whatsapp no..9800127998..gopalnagar..WEST BENGAL..743262..THANKS A LOT..
Hii…
u have nicely illustrated but plzz let me know how to read the 1st parts syllabus of paper -1 like sociology as a discipline, sociology as science… It may sound odd of asking but as a beginner I am getting jumbled up by this.. So Plzzz if u can let me know about such parts and from where this needs to be covered then it would be very helpful.. Thank u..