PDF Sociology 1973 2012

UPSC IAS (Mains) Sociology Optional Papers : Year - 1979 to 2012
10. Explain the basic features of the ex post facto

UPSC IAS Main research design and assess its role in sociological
Sociology Optional Paper research.
Year – 1979
11. Write notes on any tow of the following:
Paper - 1 (a) Reliability and validity.
Section - A (b) Verstehen method.
(c) Sources of hypothesis.
1. Substantiate, citing literature, the view that (d) Survey research.
analysis of social stability and change has been
the main concern of classical sociologists. Or PAPER - II
Explain the view that the social system is a basic Section - A
conceptual model useful in understanding social
organization. 1. Bring out the unity and diversity in the society
and culture in India. Or Describe the different ap-
2. Explain as to why and how Durkheim described proaches to the study of Indian society and ex-
social reality to the group, not to the individual. amine fully the utility of any one of them.
3. Taking clue from Weber s analysis of the role 2. Discuss the impact of religious, linguistic, caste
of Calvinist ethics in the rise of mature capital- and tribal groups on the nation building process
ism, discuss the relative impact of (a) economic in India.
conditions, and (b) values and ideas, on social
change. 3. Distinguish between tribe and caste bringing
out the implications of the difference for settle-
4. “The personality is formed, maintained and ment pattern and community living.
changed as the socialization process moves
along.” Explain. 4. Enumerate and explain the factors conducive
to joint family and comment on its prevalence/
5. What functions does social conflict perform? disappearance in rural India.
Explain the nature of social conflict in the devel-
oping countries today. 5. Enumerate the forces affecting the jajmani sys-
tem and examine their impact on the „commu-
6. Write the short notes on any two of the fol- nity? aspect of the village.
lowing:
(a) Pareto on social equilibrium. 6. Examine whether the different centres of po-
(b) Power and legitimacy litical power in India are successful as democratic
(c) Role-set and role conflict. institutions.
(d) Totemism and social solidarity.
Section -B
Section B
7. Define social stratification and discuss the prin-
7. Discuss the Marxian theory of class as criti- ciples of stratification in the traditional hierarchy.
cized by Weber.
8. Examine the changing stratification system in
8. What do you mean by empiricism? Examine modern India in relation to the issues of equality
the significance of empirical confirmation in build- and social justice.
ing sociological theory.
9. Bring out the impact of education on social
9. “Participant observation in many situations is mobility and equality with special reference to the
nothing more than a case study.” Comment. Scheduled castes.
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Section - B
10. Define social change and assess the role of
legislative measures in bringing about social 6. Bring out the relationship between technologi-
change in India. cal development and changes in family and kin-
ship. How do you account for the different types
11. Write short notes on any two of the follow- of kinship system in the U.S. and Japan which
ing: are similar with regard to technological develop-
(a) Social movements in post-independence In- ment?
dia.
(b) Industrialisation and social change in India. 7. Define and elaborate social fact and social ac-
(c) Role of religion in the traditional Indian soci- tion as the subject matter of sociology. What are
ety. the problems which such a subject matter posses
(d) Unintended consequences of planned social for its scientific study? Can it be studied scientifi-
change in India. cally at all?
8. Distinguish between observation and interview-

UPSC IAS Main ing as techniques of data collection. Under what
Sociology Optional Paper contexts may their use be recommended? Bring
Year – 1980 out their merits and demerits as regards their ob-
jectivity and validity.
PAPER - I
Section - A 9. Write short notes on any two of the following:
(a) Religion as a force both for integration and
1. Distinguish between formal and informal struc- conflict within society.
tures of organizations and show how some of the (b) Dialectics of change as applied to the Indian
problems of formal organizations can be better society.
understood in forms of this distinction. Or De- (c) Changes in the society at large and role con-
fine „social stratification? and critically examine flict within the family.
the view that Marx has “oversimplified the struc- (d) The significance of the combination of induc-
ture of satisfaction by reducing it to one factor, tion and deduction in scientific method.
control of the means of production”.
PAPER - II
2. What do you mean by functionalism? Explain Section - A
Merton?s paradigm of functional analysis. Does
it satisfy the requirements of a rigorous theory? 1. What argument are adduced by some authors
to assert that the caste system is peculiar only to
3. In what ways is organic solidarity different from India, and by some others to show that it is a
mechanical solidarity? Does organic division of universal phenomenon observable in other parts
labour lead to greater efficiency? Illustrate your of the world as well? Or Some authors maintain
view with examples. that the caste system contributes to solidarity and
harmony in society, whereas some other think that
4. Examine Pareto?s analysis of the circulation it is an exploitative system. What are the grounds
of elites. It is valid for the modern industrial soci- for such divergent views?
eties?
2. Analyse the interrelationships among the joint
5. Distinguish among power, prestige and author- family, the caste system and the village commu-
ity. What are the different ways in which an au- nity in the traditional Indian society and show how
thority may gain legitimacy? Why does a chang- they were supported by the peculiar economic
ing society face crises of legitimacy? organization and the value system.
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3. Describe the traditional modes of adaptation UPSC IAS Main

and mobility in tribe and caste in India and bring
out the significant changes in these process since Sociology Optional Paper
independence. Year – 1981
4. Traditionally, marriage in the Father-right so- PAPER - I
cieties in India was not merely a union between Section - A
man and woman, but a permanent transfer of a
woman from the family of her parents into that of 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
her husband. What customs and practices in mar- (each answer should not exceed 200 words):-
riage and family can you adduce to substantiate (a) Alienation in modern society.
this observation? (b) “Value Problem” in sociological research.
(c) “Social Action and Pattern variables.
5. There are tendencies in some parts of the coun- (d) Socialization and the Self.
try, on the part of the native people of a region to
discriminate against the immigrants. Analyse the 2. What are the major postulates in functional
economic, demographic and socio-cultural fac- analysis? Is the framework conservative or radi-
tors which may give rise to the politics of nativism. cal in its approach to the study of social phenom-
ena? Substantiate your view.
Section B
3. Discuss how the sociologists have tried to solve
6. Examine India?s claim to be a secular state the problem of differentiating the nature and scope
and society. Does the concept of secular state as of their discipline from the subject matter of other
understood in India lead to the spread of secular- social sciences.
ism in society as a scientific concept.
4. Distinguish among the concepts of “social in-
7. Give a brief account of the major social reform equalities”, “social hierarchy” and “the perpetu-
movements in the 19th and 20th century India. ation of social inequalities”. How are these fea-
How and why can they be regarded fundamen- tures manifested in the different forms of social
tally different from such movements in the past. stratification?
8. Explain why it is not urbanization alone, but Section - B

urbanization combined with industrialization,
which is responsible for far-reaching changes in 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
society. (Each answer should not exceed 200 words):-
(a) Cultural lag and directed change.
9. Write short notes on any two of the following: (b) Role of education in continuity and change.
(a) Varna and Jati. (c) Impact of property concepts on the nature of
(b) Growing economic disparities despite devel- society.
opment planning. (d) Power of the elite and the masses in demo-
(c) Slow progress of Scheduled caste despite Pro- cratic societies.
tective Discrimination.
(d) Whether the status of women in India is due 6. In what sense is family a primary group? Ex-
to their inherent qualities or to social arrange- amine the correspondence between the nature and
ments. functions of the family on the one hand and the
nature and functions of the state on the other, in
a changing society.

6. Compare and contrast the stratification sys-

7. Explain the basic features of “bureaucracy” and
tems and ideological patterns among the major
“oligarchy”. Do you, think that they have become
religious categories in India. Evaluate the prob-
a part or all modern societies? If so, why? Sub-
lem of religious conversion against this back-
stantiate your answer with examples.
ground.
8. Analyse Weber?s thesis on the “protestant ethic
7. In what sense was the traditional Indian vil-
and the spirit of capitalism”. In the light of this
lage a „community?? Bring out the impact of the
thesis do you think that all religions facilitate so-
Community Development Programme upon that
cial change? Illustrate your answer.
„community?.
PAPER - II
8. Describe the rural-urban differences in socio
Section A
cultural characteristics such as caste and religion
and bring out their implications for economic and
1. Write notes on any three of the following in
political behaviour.
not more than 200 words each:-
(a) Orthogenetic and heterogenetic factors of
social change in India. UPSC IAS Main
(b) The changing position of woman in India. Sociology Optional Paper
(c) Jajmani system.
(d) Panchayati Raj.
Year – 1982
2. Examine on the basis of empirical evidence PAPER - I

whether castes are evolving into social classes. Section - A
How do you account for the phenomenon of
casteism? 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(Each answer should not exceed 200 words):-
3. Describe the variation in the form, structure (a) Sucide as a social fact.
and function of the Indian family at present. Can (b) Decent and Kinship as social networks.
this be under-stood in terms of rural-urban di- (c) Modernization and intergenerational mobil-
chotomy? Elaborate your point of view. ity.
(d) Suitability of questionnaire for data collec-
4. Bring out the socio-cultural contexts of edu- tion in developing societies.
cational inequality. In view of these circumstances
what measures you think are appropriate for the 2. How far do you agree with the view that while
solution of the educational problems of the sched- neopositivism reduces sociology measurement,
uled castes? functionalism directs attention towards meaning?
Can functionalism explain dynamic social pro-
Section - B cesses?
5. Write notes on any three of the following in 3. Discuss the utility of Max Weber?s ideal type
not more than 200 words each:- as a methodological tool. Explain how Weber uses
(a) Acculturation and integration of tribal com- the ideal type procedure to depict the authority
munities. patterns.
(b) Social structural impediments to the adapta-
tion of family planning practices in India. 4. In social stratification a particular form of so-
(c) Socio-religious reform movements in mod- cial inequality? Analyse the role of wealth, power
ern India. and status in the perpetuation of stratification sys-
(d) Socio-cultural causes of corruption. tems in the society.

Section B
(a) Education and society mobility.
5. Write short notes on any three of the following (b) Direction of tribal change.
(Each should not exceed 200 words):- (c) Socio-cultural dimensions of Indian villages
(a) Pressure groups and economic development. (d) Westernization and modernization.
(b) Industrialization and regional imbalances.
(c) Social movements and the uplift of the weaker 6. Discuss industrialization and urbanization as
sections. inter related factors of social change in India.
(d) Indoctrination and educational processes.
7. What is a social movement? Discuss with ex-
6. Discuss the role of participative decision mak- amples the part played by social movements in
ing in formal and informal organizations. Is it pos- bringing about social change in India.
sible to have workers? participation in industrial
organizations? 8. What do you understand by population dynam-
ics? Discuss the social dimensions of population
7. Distinguish between science and religion. Ex- control and family welfare programmes in India.
amine religion as a functional and dysfunctional
factor in the contemporary society. 8. Analyse UPSC IAS Main
Marxian theory of social change. Is it useful to
comprehend the changes in the developing soci-
Sociology Optional Paper
eties? Year – 1983
PAPER - II PAPER - I
Section - A Section - A
1. Write notes on any three of the following is 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
not more than 200 words on each: (each answer should not exceed 200 words):-
(a) Continuity and change in India. (a) Participant observation and the problem of
(b) Agrarian and industrial class structure. objectivity.
(c) Intergenerational gap and youth unrest. (b) Functional prerequisites of society.
(d) Decentralization of power and political par- (c) Religious and scientific world views.
ticipation. (d) Family in industrial societies.
2. What are the features of economic develop- 2. Distinguish between social change and social
ment? Outline the social determinants and con- development. How does the knowledge of Soci-
sequence of economic development in India. ology help in the formulation of development
policies?
3. Discuss the changing political relations in ru-
ral India in the context of democratic decentrali- 3. Discuss suicide as a social fact. While explain-
zation. ing the typology of suicide according to
Durkheim, bring out the destabilising role of
4. Critically examine the view that joint family anomic in modern societies.
organization in India is changing over to nuclear
family. 4. Are caste and class merely different forms of
qualitatively different types of social stratifica-
Section - B tion? Elucidate your point of view.
5. Write notes on any three of the following is

not more than 200 words on each:

Section B Section - B
5. Write short notes on any three of the following 5. Write notes on any three of the following is
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): not more than 200 word on each:
(a) Bureaucracy and planned development. (a) Religious minorities and national integration.
(b) Jajmani system as a form of exchange. (b) Distinction between tribe caste.
(c) “Vote Banks” and the democratic process. (c) Socio-cultural dimensions of infant mortality
(d) Secularization and social solidarity. in India.
(d) Women?s role in economic development.
6. Analyse the social determinants of industrial-
ization. Will industrialization per se lead to equal- 6. Discuss the efficacy of land reforms to trans-
ity and balanced development in the society? form India?s agrarian social structure.
7. Do you agree with the view that legitimacy is 7. Examine the view that the traditional social
a powerful instrument in the hands of the elite in institutions of India are a major impediment to
the contemporary society? What are the different its industralisation.
grounds on which ruling elite have tried to legiti-
mize their authority in democratic and totalitartian 8. How far is, it true to say that the urban social
societies? structure in India is only a replica of the rural
social structure?
8. Examine the concept of equality of educational
opportunity. What are the social constraints and
social consequences implicit in the pursuit of this
goal? UPSC IAS Main
PAPER - II Sociology Optional Paper
Section - A Year – 1984
1. Write notes on any three of the following is PAPER - I
not more than 200 words on each: Section - A
(a) Universalisation and parochialisation in Indian
civilization. 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(b) Bride and bridegroom price. (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(c) The changing social composition of the po-
litical elite since Independence. (a) Report and objective in social science research.
(d) Unionization and the agrarian classes. (b) Alienation in developing societies.
(c) Change in sex roles and the socialization of
2. What is the relative role of ritual and secular children.
factors in the traditional caste system? Explain (d) Social aspects of industrial economic system.
how their role in changing in the modern time.
2. Do you agree with the view that sociology can
3. Distinguish between the Indological and the never be a science? What limitations need to be
Sociological views on the Hindu family and show taken into consideration in the scientific study of
how the former has influenced the latter. social phenomena?
4. Examine with particular reference to Sched- 3. Discuss Max?s concept of class. Is class
uled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the view that struggle inevitable for the elimination of inequali-
education promotes social equality. ties and exploitation in the third world societies?

4. Analyse scientific theory of culture. Will the it has increased economic inequality and failed to
crisis in culture in the contemporary society fa- promote social justice?
cilitate the emergence of new man?
Section - B
Section - B
5. Write short notes on any three of the following
5. Write short notes on any three of the following more than 200 words each:
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): (a) The impact of democratization on the village
(a) Ideal types and social analysis. community.
(b) Changing concept of property. (b) The social background of poverty.
(c) Religious factor in economic development. (c) Rural-urban migration.
(d) Education and modernization. (d) The future of tribal culture.
6. Discuss family as a basic and fundamental so- 6. Examine the role of caste as a pressure-group
cial institution. Do you think the changing sex in contemporary Indian politics.
roles necessitate the replacement of family by
another institution? 7. Trace the impact of urbanization on the Hindu
family.
7. Explain the role of community power struc-
ture in the political decision-making processes in 8. How far is tradition a barrier to moderniza-
the society. Are power and authority getting broad tion? Does not modernization take to form of
based in India today? traditionalization in India?
8. Examine the relationship between social struc-

ture and social change. Has the Indian social struc-
ture facilitated or hindered the process of change? UPSC IAS Main
PAPER - II
Year – 1985
Section - A
1. Write short notes on any three of the following PAPER - I

is not more than 200 words each: Section - A
(a) Caste among the non-Hindus.
(b) Scheduled caste elites. 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(c) The changing status of women. (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(d) Dominant caste and the agrarian power struc- (a) Sociology is a science of society.
ture. (b) Research Design.
(c) Interview as a method of social research.
2. What is the structural perspective on the caste (d) Religion and society.
system? Is it not an oversimplification to describe
the system as a hierarchy of statuses based on the 2. Discuss the contributions of Durkheim to so-
opposition of the pure and impure? ciology. How far did his methodology influence
sociological traditions?
3. Describe the main characteristics of Jaimani
system. Do you agree with the view that it is ba- 3. How does culture influence personality? Can
sically an Institution of politico-economic domi- personality influence culture? How?
nance and dependence?
4. What are the agencies of social control? Which
4. Discuss the social consequences of economic is the most effective one in a democratic society?
development in India. Do you share the view that
Section - B (a) Education for social equality.

(b) Planning for the rural poor: IRDP and NREP.
5. Write short notes on any three of the following (c) Religious and ethlnic conflict in India.
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): (d) Servodava as a social movement.
(a) Planned development in a democracy.
(b) Power. 6. What is the link between industrialisation and
(c) Social Mobility. urbanisation? Answer with reference to India.
(d) Youth Culture.
7. Discuss the salient features of the demographic
6. Has development been successful in removing situation in India. What are the prospects of re-
poverty? Can you relate development to progress? ducing the birth rate and stabilizing it in the near
feature?
7. Can education be considered as an agent of
social change? In what manner can it establish a 8. How far is generational disaffiliation respon-
new social order? sible for youth activism in India? Why is the In-
dian youth failing to respond to the national chal-
8. How is Marxism relevant to developing na- lenges?
tions? Will it be able to establish classless societ-
ies?
UPSC IAS Main
PAPER - II
Section - A
Year – 1986
is not more than 200 words each: PAPER - I
(a) Divorce among the Muslims. Section - A
(b) Protective discrimination: its sociology and
politics. 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(c) Kula, Vansa and Gotra. (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(d) Inequality in the agrarian social structure. (a) The problem of objectivity in Sociology.
(b) Techniques employed in measuring attitudes.
2. Comment on the distinction between „hierar- (c) Bureaucracy in developing societies
chy? and „social stratification?. Which of the two (d) New strategies for the rural development in
will be a more appropriate term to describe the India.
caste system and why?
2. Discuss Durkheim?s concept of Division of
3. Discuss the process of social mobility in the labour. In what way does it differ from that of
caste system commonly described as classical and neoclassical economists?
sanskritization and westernization. Have they
eflected any structural change in the system? 3. Show how culture constituted a seminal idea
in B. Malinowski’s works.
4. Examine the impact of recent social legislation
on Hindu marriage and family with special refer- 4. What is „social action?? what is its place in the
ence to the status of women. analytical Frameworks of Max Weber and Talcott
Parsons?
Section - B

in not more than 200 words each:

(c) Urban emerging pattern of rural leadership.

Section - B (d) Urban decay: the culture of overcrowded
neigh-bourhoods and slums in industrial cities.
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): 6. Trace the impact of culture contact on the In-
(a) Ethnic group and its role in society. dian tribes.
(b) Historical materialism.
7. Discuss the factors responsible for the grow-
6. Critically assess R.K. Mertion’s views on the ing felling of alienation among the religious mi-
contributions of research to the development of norities in India. How can they be made to over-
sociological theory. come this feeling?
7. How do you relate the educational system to 8. Stress the importance of regional development
the economic development in India? in the context of national planning in India. Can
regional disparities be reduced within the frame-
8. Discuss the role of religion to the world today. work of a centralist planning?
Has the supergrowth of science any de mystify-
ing effect on religion?
PAPER - II UPSC IAS Main

Section - A
1. Write notes on any three of the following in Year – 1987
not more than 200 words each:
(a) The case for a uniform civil code. PAPER - I
(b) The Indian family in continuity and change. Section - A
(c) Class-conflict in the agrarian society
(d) The Indian intellectual between tradition and 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
modernity. (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Techniques of Data Collection
2. Examine the impact of Buddhism aud Islam on (b) Ideal Types
the Hindu society. (c) Social Movement
(d) Alienation.
3. Despite all the fusion and fusion that the caste
system has undergone through the ages. It has 2. Do you agree with Max Weber that the Prot-
binded to maintain the permanency of its form?. estant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism are cor-
Comment. related? What are the alternative theories sug-
gested by other academics?
4. Discuss the changing value-orientations of
women in the Indian middle class families. 3. A.R. Radcliffe-Brown is said to have improved
upon B. Malinowski's Functional theory. Discuss,
Section - B how.
5. Write notes on any three of the following in 4. Do you think that in T. Parsons there has been
not more than 200 words each: a transition from the analysis of the structure of
(a) Education for development: the sociological social action as such to the structural-functional
implications of the new education policy. analysis of social systems”? discuss in detail.
(b) Communal tensions: their economic and so-
cial background.

(c) Role of mass media in modernization.

Section - B (d) Reaching development to the rural poor.
5. Write short notes on any three of the following 6. Analyses the different dimensions of the inte-
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): gration of tribes in the national polity. How can
(a) Authoritarian Personality the process be accelerated?
(b) Collective Representations.
(c) Religious Secularization
(d) Legitimacy. UPSC IAS Main
6. Critically examine the statement. A study of
power inevitably involves an investigation of so- Year – 1988
cial class.
PAPER - I
7. What is meant by Equality of Educational Op- Section - A
portunities? What are its possibilities in develop-
ing countries? 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(Each answer should not exceed 200 words):
8. Do you accept that Marxism offers a „pre-fab- (a) Experimental design.
ricated theory of social change? Discuss critically. (b) Bearing of research on theory.
(c) Functional theory of stratification.
PAPER - II (d) Structural principles of kinship.
Section - A
2. Explain the basic premises of the anti-positiv-
1. Write notes on any three of the following in ist attack on sociology. Do you agree with these?
not more than 200 words each: Substantiate your answer.
(a) Role of Elite in social transformation
(b) Reservations: Need and achievement 3. Discuss the relation between social structure
(c) Convergence of class and caste and anomie as presented by R.K. Merton. Attempt
(d) Crimes against women. a critical appraisal of this analysis.
2. Assess the impact of the west in shaping the 4. In what respects do you think Weber?s con-
Indian Renaissance Movement in the 19th cen- ception of sociology differs from that of
tury. Durkheim? Which one of the two is more satis-
factory? Substantiate your answer.
3. Is the caste system immobile? Bring out the
factors promoting intra-caste and inter-caste Section - B
mobility.
4. Examine the roots of youth unrest. How can (Each answer should not exceed 200 words):
we channel youth power for national develop- (a) Achievement orientation.
ment? (b) Theory of underdevelopment.
(c) Formal organization.
Section - B (d) Types of social ____ ements.
5. Write notes on any three of the following in 6. Attempt a comparative analysis of the Weberian
not more than 200 words each: and Marxian theories of social change. Which do
(a) Unequal access to education you think is more relevant to the Indian society
(b) Bonded labour at present? Give reasous for your answer.

7. Examine the role of education is cultural con-

tinuity. In the context of the Indian society, how 7. Analyse the limitations of working a demo-
would you reconcile this with the demands for cratic political system in a traditional society.
social change?
8. Distinguish between Westernization and Mod-
8. What do you understand by community power ernization. How do tradition and modernity co-
structure? discuss the major changes in recent exist in India?
times in the pattern of the distribution of power
in Indian society. UPSC IAS Main
PAPER - II Sociology Optional Paper
Section - A Year – 1989
PAPER - I
Section - A
(a) Regional Variation in Kinship System.
(b) Intergenerational Gap
1. Write short notes on any three of the follow-
(c) Industrialization and caste.
ing: (Each answer should not exceed 200 words)
(d) Linguistic Conflicts
(a) Science and Social Behaviour
(b) Open and Closed Models of Mobility
2. Examine the historical roots of Indian society
(c) Alienation
and identify the factors of continuity and change
(d) Pre industrial Economic System
in it.
2. Is the Durkheimian concept of religion entirely
3. The organic solidarity of caste has given way
different from that of his predecessors? Why and
to competitive solidarity. Discuss this statement
how?
in the context of the processes of fission and fu-
sion in the Caste system.
3. Had the French Revolution anything to do with
the emergency os Sociology in Europe? Make a
4. Analyse the traditional production relations in
critical study.
Indian villages in the framework of the jajmani
system. Account for tis disappearance in recent
4. How does Malinowski differ from Radcliffe
tines.
Brown on the concept of functionalism?
Section - B
Section - B
5. Write short notes on any three of the follow-
ing: (Each answer should not exceed 200 words)
(a) Grass root Planning.
(a) Measurement of Attitudes
(b) Demoncratic Decentralization.
(b) Formal and Informal Structures of Bureau-
(c) Intergrated Rurol Development Programme.
cracy
(d) Acculturation.
(c) Power of the Elite
(d) Education and Modernisation
6. Discuss the role of the state in restructuring
Indian Society since Independence. Examine the
6. What does Weber mean by ideal types? How is
effectiveness of such interventions.
the concept relevant in sociology?
7. How do changes in the age and sex roles in the

family affect the social structure itself?

8. How far are social policy and directed social

change effective in social development? UPSC IAS Main
PAPER - II
Section - A
Year – 1990
PAPER - I
1. Write notes on any three of the following is Section - A
(a) Purushartha 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(b) Social implications of inter caste marriage (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(c) Orthogenetic and heterogenetic factos of so- (a) Participant observation
cial change in India (b) Bureaucracy and economic development
(d) Secularism as a scientific concept (c) Status inconsistency
(d) Conformity and deviance
2. „The soil grow castes: the machines makes
classes.? Comment. 2. Alcott Parsons? theory of social system has
been criticized as a veiled status quoits ideology.
3. Analyse the impact of the modern West on tra- Critically examine valid and justified in this criti-
ditional social values in India. cism.
4. Examine the social consequences of economic 3. How does Marx?s treatment of alienation dif-
development with special reference to India. fer from that of other sociologists?
Section - B 4. What does R.K. Merton mean when he admits

that not everything works out for the best of ev-
5. Write notes on any three of the following is eryone in society? What is his improvement on
not more than 200 words each: functional theory?
(a) Green Revolution and Social Tensions Section - B

(b) Electoral Reform in India
(c) Integration of Tribes 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
(d) Rationale behind protective Discrimination (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Education and inequality
6. Delmeate the contents of the New Education (b) Directed social change
Policy. Has it made any dent in the educational (c) Community power structure
system? (d) Socialization and personality
7. Analyse the socio economic factors that con- 6. Trace the Psychological and Sociological roots
tinue to depress the position of women in Indian of social movements in society today. Do social
society. What steps have been taken to remedy movements facilitate social change?
the situation in recent years?
7. Discuss the nature and character of voluntary
8. Discuss the basic problems of the Scheduled associations. What is their importance in devel-
castes. Bring out the impact of conversion on their oping societies.
social status.
8. Religion is said to have emancipated human
beings on the one hand but it also alienates them
on the other.? Bring out the paradoxical func-
tions religion plays in a modern secular society.

PAPER - II
UPSC IAS Main
Section - A Sociology Optional Paper
Year – 1991
PAPER - I
(a) Basic features of traditional Hindu social
Section - A
organisation.
(b) Market economy and Agrarian social struc-
ture
(each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(c) Religion and national integration in India.
(a) The problem of objectivity
(d) Corruption and Political process
(b) Social control
(c) Protestant Ethic
2. Action, for the Indian is not individualistic but
(d) Modernisation.
societal. Critically evaluate the statement.
2. Why does the individual, while becoming more
3. Discuse the process of mobility that has taken
autonomous, depend more upon society?
place in the caste structure in India in this con-
(Durkheim). How has the author tried to answer
text, explain the convergence of caste and class.
this question?
4. Critically assess the role of social legislation in
3. How does Parsons defend the nuclear family
bringing about basic structural changes it mar-
in promoting industrialisation? Is his thesis uni-
riage, family and property in India. What are the
versally valid?
main obstacles in evolving a common Civil Code?
4. The history of the hitherto existing societies is
Section - B
the history of class struggle.? Critically comment
on this Marxian thesis.
5. Write notes on any three of the following is
Section - B
(a) Cultural factors in the adoption of family plan-
ning in India
5. Write note on any three of the following (each
(b) Educational inequality and social change
answer should not exceed 200 words):
(c) Sociological perspective of „Right to Work?
(a) Methods of scientific investigation
in India
(b) Functional theory of stratification
(d) Political power and rural development in In-
(c) Intergenerational mobility
dia
(d) The sacred and the profane.
6. Indian tradition, today exhibits a form of neo-
6. What is the importance of Merton?s Middle
traditionsalism along with modernisation.? Com-
Range Theory in sociology? Discuss critically.
ment.
7. What role can the power of unorganized masses
7. What are the main social determinants of eco-
play in bringing about social change in a demo-
nomic development in India? Examine this ques-
cratic society?
tion with special reference to the growth of en-
trepreneurship and the rise of business houses in
8. Education is induction into the Learner?s cul-
India.
ture?. Examine the statement in society today.
8. Critically evaluate the role of religion and
ethniqity in Indian politics since the First General
Electtons in 1952.

Section - A Sociology Optional Paper
Year – 1992
not more than 200 words each: PAPER - I
(a) Ritual purity and pollution in Hindu Society Section - A
(b) Social responsibility of political elites
(c) Bonded-labour 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(d) Plural society and secularism (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Design of sociological research.
2. Family jointness still continues unaffected by (b) Parsons idea of equilibrium.
the differences of religion, caste, urbanization and (c) Concept of social structure.
occupation.? Elucidate. (d) Internal contradictions.
3. Privatization of economy can often result in 2. What are the basic questions which inspired
growing social inequalities explotation and cor- Durkheim to study the division of labour in soci-
ruption. How far are these fears justified in the ety? Critically comment on his conclusions.
Indian context?
3. Critically bring out the differences in the ap-
4. Discuss the changes in the structure of power proaches of Karl Marx and Max Weber to the
relationships of various castes at the regional lev- study of class structure in industrial capitalist so-
els. ciety.
Section - B 4. Examine critically the place of culture in
Malinowski?s contribution of functional society.
not more than 200 words each: Section - B
(a) The share-croppers? movement in India
(b) The demographic transition 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
(c) TRYSEM- as a measure for rural develop- (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
ment (a) Informal structure of bureaucracy.
(d) Common civil Code and status of women (b) Education as a medium of cultural reproduc-
tion.
6. „Institutionalised inequality in India has its cul- (c) Social consequences of increase in the rate or
tural and economic coordinates.? Discuss. divorce
(d) Merits and demerits of secret ballot in de-
7. Is legitimacy of key political institutions democracy.
clining in India? Discuss this issue in the context
of the process of nation-building. 6. Social inequality is the device by which societ-
ies ensure that the most important positions are
8. Uneven development is the major source of filled by the most qualified persons.? Explain this
tribal unrest in India.? Examine the statement in viewpoint and state the grounds on which it is
relation to the movements in tribal India. refuted.
7. Elaborate the concepts of „status –consistency?

and „status-inconsistency?. State the factors re-
sponsible for „status inconsistency? in modern
societies.

8. What is happening to religion in the face of

challenges of science in modern societies? Elabo- UPSC IAS Main
rate your answer with the help of sociological Sociology Optional Paper
literature.
Year – 1993
PAPER - II
PAPER - I
Section - A
Section - A
(a) Urban social organization.
(a) Ideology and the emergence of Sociology
(b) Ethnic diversity and education.
(b) Methods of Sociology according to Max
(c) Mass-Media and education.
Weber
(d) Rural credit and its bearing on poverty.
(c) Concepts of functional alternatives
(d) Social determinants of economic development
2. Examine the features of continuity and change
of Indian society in historical perspective.
2. Critically examine AGIL model of Talcott Par-
sons. How far is this model capable of explaining
3. Erosion of ecology and economy, and not
social changes in society?
politicization, is the main source of tribal unrest
in India today. Examine the validity of this state-
3. Describe the functional analysis of religion
ment.
given by Durkheim. Is this analysis applicable to
the modern industrialized societies?
4. How has the process of social and cultural
change been examined by Indian sociologists?
4. Give a brief account of the trends in sociologi-
Discuss their approaches.
cal analysis of change in traditional family and
kinship systems in the face of industrialization.
Section - B
SECTION - B
(a) Social consequences of market economy.
(b) Educational problem of rural women.
(a) Significance of objectivity in sociological re-
(c) Sanskritization.
search
(d) Changing pattern of Hindu joint family.
(b) Social class and vertical mobility
(c) Dysfunctions of bureaucracy
6. Probe the social consequences of the land ceil-
(d) Protest movements
ing legislation in any one of the Indian States and
state the major difficulties in its implementation.
6. Explain Karl Marx?s theory of social stratifi-
cation. On what grounds functionalists refute it?
7. „The market cannot function without State:
Critically examine the statement within the In-
7. Bring the relationship between culture and per-
dian context.
sonality. Discuss with examples the differences
in personalities in the same culture.
8. Explain how emerging rural-urban nexuses are
reshaping the character of Indian political elite
8. Evaluate the functioning of political parties in
and functioning of political institutions.
the democracies of the Third World.

UPSC IAS Main

PAPER - II
SECTION - A
Year – 1994
in not more than 200 words each: PAPER - I
(a) Primitive Communism SECTION - A
(b) Muslim women and divorce
(c) Minority groups and communalism 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(d) Panchayati Raj and rural leadership (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Intellectual sources for the rise of Sociology
2. Examine the unity and limitations of indological (b) Malinowski?s concept of culture
source material to understanding of Indian soci- (c) Organic analogy
ety. (d) Ideal types
3. Explain the paradox of social change in the 2. State Talcott Parsons? contribution to theory
modern Indian society and describe the factors of social action. What are the limitations of this
responsible for it. theory?
4. Explain issue emerging from inter-religion in- 3. In modern structural-functionalism. Merton?s

teraction in India to-day. Evaluate them in the effort to develop a “Paradigm” for functional
context of secularism in India. analysis in the most significant one. Evaluate this
statement.
SECTION - B
4. What did Max Weber mean by Interpretative
5. Write short notes on any three of the following under standing? Why did he believe that to model
in not more than 200 words each: sociological researches exclusively on strategies
(a) Pressure groups in Indian politics and ambitions of natural sciences was a serious
(b) Positive and preventive checks on population mistatke?
(c) Social movements and social mobility
(d) Social significance of Grihasthasrama SECTION - B
6. Discuss the executive measures and peoples? 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
participation in implementing various develop- (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
ment programmes at the village level in India. (a) Comparative method in Sociology
(b) Authority
7. What were the main trends of social reforms (c) Pathological form of division of labour
movements in nineteenth century? Critically dis- (d) Types of social movements
cuss any one internal revitalization movement in
Indian society. 6. Critically examine Karl Marx?s theory of alien-
ation.
8. Discuss the educational problems of weaker
sections in India. What are the measures adopted 7. Explain the view that the nuclear family “fits”
to solve these problems? the needs of industrial society. Is it that the struc-
ture of nuclear family is the same in all industrial
societies?
8. What is Social Policy and its relevance to so-

cial development. Under what circumstances so-

cial policy becomes a hinderance in social devel-

UPSC IAS Main
opment?
PAPER - II Year – 1995
SECTION - A
PAPER - I
1. Write notes on any three of the following (each SECTION - A
(a) Caste and occupational mobility 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(b) Changing social origins of political elites in (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
India (a) Methods of science and sociology
(c) Social consequences of land ceiling legisla- (b) Social class and social status
tion (c) Social fact
(d) Minority status and religious conversions (d) Primary group
2. “Buddhism is a social movement against hier- 2. “Subjective perception of the objection reality
archical tradition for social equality in Indian so- prepares the context for the articulation of class
ciety.” Discuss. antagonism.” Evaluate this statements with ref-
erence to Karl Marx?s contribution.
3. Discuss the functions of traditional economic
institutions in India. Analyse the factors respon- 3. Bring out the strength and the weakness of
sible for change in them. Robert Merton’s advancement over the classical
functionalism.
4. Explain the relationship of human resource
development and education in modern context. 4. Critically examine the role of formal and infor-
mal structures of bureaucracy in economic and
SECTION - B social reconstruction of the developing societies.
5. Write notes on any three of the following (each SECTION - B

(a) Caste among Muslims in India. 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
(b) Legislation and socio economic change in fam- (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
ily (a) Middle-range theories
(c) Sources of tribal unrest in India (b) Role of culture
(d) Decentralization of power and local develop- (c) Social disorganization
ment (d) Social consequences of economic develop-
ment.
6. Explain continuity and change of traditional
social institutions in urban community in India. 6. What has been the impact of industrialization
How are they adopting to the process of urban on family and kinship organization? Illustrate the
development. significance of kinship organization in the indus-
trial societies.
7. Evaluate the role of state in social and eco- 7. Elaborate the meaning of the term „equality of
nomic reconstruction of Indian Society since in- educational opportunity?. Discuss education as a
dependence. medium of cultural reproduction and social trans-
formation.
8. “Poverty breeds poverty in rural India.” Evalu-
ate integrated Rural Development Programme in 8. Explain the classical concept of social change
the light of this statement. and critically examine the contribution of the lin-
ear theories of social change.

SECTION - A Sociology Optional Paper
Year – 1996
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): PAPER - I
(a) Equality and social justice SECTION - A
(b) Agrarian social structure
(c) Industrialization and occupational diversifi- 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
cation (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(d) Social basis of trade unions (a) Value-free sociology
(b) Role-Conflict and its resolution
2. Explain the significance of empirical approach (c) Mode of production
to the study of Indian society. How does the use (d) The idea of functional indispensability
of historical approach enrich empirical orienta-
tion? 2. Discuss Talcott Parsons? contribution to the
analysis of social change.
3. Discuss the main problems of national integra-
tion in India and delineate the role of education 3. “Not all facts about human behaviour are nec-
in tackling these problems. essarily social facts.” State the meaning of „so-
cial facts? and the methods of studying them with
4. “Nuclear families grow into joint families and reference to this statement.
then break into nuclear families. The change from
nuclear to joint and from joint to nuclear families 4. Explain the origin and characteristics of bu-
is fairly frequent in India. “Explain the changes in reaucracy according to Max Weber. Illustrate the
the structure and function of joint family in this structural sources of dysfunctions of bureaucracy.
context.
SECTION - B
SECTION - B
5. Write short notes on any three of the following (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): (a) Impacts of change in sex-role on family
(a) Cultural and structural aspect of caste (b) Types of exchange
(b) Faction in rural life (c) Education and social inequalities
(c) Tribal integration (d) Reformative social movements
(d) Sanskritization
6. Compare the role of custom as on agency of
6. How far did the Community Development social control in primitive and modern industrial
Projects help in realizing the goals of planned societies.
change? Examine critically.
7. Discuss the meaning and role of voluntary or-
7. It is often alleged that the social situation in ganizations in the efforts of transformation of so-
India is not conducive to the efficient functioning ciety through state-action.
of a democratic polity. Comment.
8. Critically examine the impact traditional social
8. Discuss the salient features of urbanization in structures on the development and functioning
India. What steps would you suggest to tackle of a democratic polity.
the negative aspects of urbanization?

PAPER - II
UPSC IAS Main
Year – 1997
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): PAPER - I
(a) Varna ashrama dharma SECTION - A
(b) Avenues of caste mobility in traditional In-
dian society 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(c) Role of pressure groups in Indian politics (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(d) Social consequences of market economy (a) Sociology as an interpretative discipline
(b) A good hypothesis
2. “Tradition and modernity co-exist in (c) Anomie
contexporary Indian society.” Discuss the factors (d) Types of mobility
responsible for this continuity and change.
2. Is it possible to study social phenomenon sci-
3. Describe the factors responsible for increasing entifically? Give a critical answer.
economic inequalities in India and discuss their
social consequences. 3. Critically examine Max Weber?s theory of so-
cial action and its limitations.
4. How far has education of women led to an
improvement in their social status in the modern 4. Discuss Talcott Parsons contribution to the
Indian society? Which other factors are related analysis of social system.
to the status of women in India?
SECTION - B
SECTION - B
5. Write short notes on any three of the following (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): (a) Fundamentals of religion
(a) Urban neighbourhoods (b) Concept of social movement
(b) Pattern of secularism in India (c) Role of education in social development
(c) Problem of education among Backward (d) Industrialization and social change
classes?
(d) Indicators of modernization in Indian society 6. “Education is an instrument of social control
and social change.” Critically examine the state-
6. Describe the socio-cultural consequences of ment.
tribals contacts with the non-tribals. What mea-
sures would you suggest to bring the tribals in 7. What are the problems of universalisation of
the national mainstream? primary education? Discuss fully. 8. Explain the
concept of social change. Critically examine the
7. Describe the traditional power structure in ru- contribution of Karl Marx?s theory of social
ral India. Discuss the factors that have contrib- change.
uted to its changes pattern in recent years.
PAPER - II
8. Do you think that caste and democracy are SECTION - A
compatible with each other? Discuss with refer-
ence to some studies conducted on the issue in 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
India. (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Pluralism and national unity
(b) Industrial class structure in India
(c) Impact of Islam on Indian society UPSC IAS Main

(d) Social consequences of occupational diversi-
fication Sociology Optional Paper
Year – 1998
2. Outline the social factors related to generation
gap. How has the generation gap led to the prob-
lems of youth unrest? PAPER - I
SECTION - A
3. Describe the socio-cultural background of the
political elites of contemporary India. What has 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
been the influence of their background on their (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
political orientations? (a) Value neutrality in social science
(b) Reliability of a sample
4. Caste is becoming weaker and stronger at the (c) Pattern variables
same time in present day India. Discuss the fac- (d) Caste as a class
tors responsible for continuity and change.
2. “It is not the consciousness of men that deter-
SECTION - B mines their being, but on the contrary it is their
social being that determines their consciousness.”
5. Write short notes on any three of the following Examine Karl Marx’s notion of mode of produc-
(each answer should not exceed 200 words): tion in the light of this statement.
(a) Social profile of slums
(b) Social dimensions of drug addiction 3. Analyse critically the functional theory of so-
(c) Issues of tribal identity cial stratification.
(d) Communal tensions in India
4. Socialisation is a process by which all of us
6. Describe the role played by education in social acquire the culture that we transmit to the next
mobility. Do you think that education has been generation.? Elaborate the statement and discuss
the most important factor in accelerating social its various stages.
mobility in modern Indian society? Give argu-
ments in favour of your answer. SECTION - B
7. What changes have taken place in the tribal 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
social stratification pattern in recent times? De- (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
scribe the factors responsible for these changes. (a) Features of pre-industrial economic system
(b) Education and culture
8. Describe the factors related to social move- (c) Vertical and horizontal mobility
ments. In the light of these factors explain the (d) Religious pluralism
emergence of peasant movement in India.
6. Examine social consequences of changes in
technology. Illustrate your answer with examples
form new productive processes and equipment.
7. Explain the concept of power. Distinguish be-

tween power and authority.
8. What are the structural conditions under

which movements emerge? Discuss with refer-
ence to any one theory of genesis of social

movements. PAPER - II UPSC IAS Main

1. Write short notes on any three of the following Year – 1999
PAPER - I
(a) Response of Indian society to the early im-
SECTION - A
pact of West
(b) Implications of emergence of regional politi-
cal parties
(c) Modes and contents of expression of Dalit
(a) Sociology as a by-product of Industrial Revo-
consciousness
lution
(d) Problem of adult illiteracy in India
(b) Role conflict as a source of deviation
(c) Limitations of questionnaire as a technique of
2. Assess the impact of market economy on the
data collection.
traditional rural economic structure.
(d) Gemeinschaft and Gesselschaft types of com-
munities.
3. Examine the causes and consequences of grow-
ing size of urban middle class.
2. How would you distinguish between the strati-
fied and the unstratified social positions? What
4. Analyse critically the Government of India?s
explanation would you profer for the universal
tribal policy.
existence of the social stratification in human so-
ciety?
SECTION - B
3. Elaborate on the social necessity of religion.
Discuss the relationship between religion and sci-
ence.
(a) Revivalist social movements in India.
(b) Increasing economic disparities between ru-
4. Social control is more a matter of conviction
ral and urban populations
than that of coercion. Comment. Discuss the role
(c) Role of caste associations
of ideology in social control.
(d) Social consequences of unplanned urban
growth
SECTION - B
6. Discuss the constitutional safeguards for reli-
gious minority groups and account for increas-
ing religious fundamentalism in India.
(a) Division of labour and differentiation of so-
cial structure
7. “Political and economic empowerment of
(b) Impact of the democratic political system on
women is necessary but not a sufficient condition
the traditional social structure
for improving social status of women in India.”
(c) Social structure and Anomie
Comment.
(d) Functional problems of the social system
8. Examine the socio-economic consequences of
6. Discuss the nature and characteristics of social
the changing age-structure of India?s population.
mobility. Can the nature and the rate of social
mobility be treated as an index of economic de-
velopment? Comment.
7. Bring out the commonality between a social

movement and a revolution. Would you agree
with the view that each revolution is preceded by UPSC IAS Main
a social movement? Give reasons.
8. Elaborate on the concept of structural change. Year – 2000
Discuss the endogenic factors of structural change
in a society, with suitable examples. PAPER - I
SECTION - A
PAPER - II
SECTION - A 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
1. Write notes on any three of the following (in (a) Sociology and social anthropology
not more than 200 words each: (b) Problem of objectivity in social research
(a) Social Justice (c) Alienation
(b) National Unity (d) Role conflict
(c) Total Literacy Campaign (TLC)
(d) Peasant Society 2. Emile Durkheim had argued that the function
of division of labour in society is that of the pro-
2. Discuss 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amend- motion of social solidarity. Elaborate the state-
ments with reference to decentralization of power. ment and analyse the distinction between two
forms of solidarity discussed by him.
3. What is meant by privatization and how could
it effect economic reforms in India? 3. How does social structure produce a strain
toward anomie and deviant behaviour? Examine
4. What do you mean by „Green Revolution? and it with reference to Robert K. Merton’s contri-
what are its socio-economic consequences? Dis- bution to this field of study.
cuss.
4. Discuss the factors responsible for changing
SECTION - B structure of family in modern societies.
5. Write notes on any three of the following in SECTION - B

(a) Secularism 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
(b) Sanskritization (each answer should not exceed 200 words):
(c) Naxalbari Movement (a) Inter- generational mobility
(d) Dowry as a social problem (b) Social determinants of economic development
(c) Relative Deprivation?
6. Define religious minority. Discuss the prob- (d) Role of pressure groups in democracy
lems of religious minorities in India.
6. Pitirim A. Sorokin sees the course of history
7. Slums are scars on the social fabric. How can as a continuous but irregular fluctuation between
these scars be removed? two basically different kinds of culture. While ex-
plaining this stand of Sorokin, analyse whether it
8. How is modernization an agent of change? appropriate to characterise such a notion of
Discuss its positive and negative aspects. change as a cyclical theory of social change.
7. Is ideology an essential component of a social

movement? Illustrate your answer with suitable
examples from some contemporary social move-
ments. 8. Critically examine functional and dys-
functional aspects of religion.

SECTION - A
1. Write notes on any three of the following in Year – 2001
(a) Impact of Buddhism on Indian society
(b) Cast among Indian Christians PAPER - I
(c) Consequences of globalization for India SECTION - A
(d) Educational inequalities in India
2. Which means of social mobility were available (each note should not exceed 200 words):
in the traditional caste system? Describe the form (a) Sociology as an interpretative discipline
of social mobility in contemporary Indian soci- (b) Manifest and latent functions
ety. (c) Sources of legitimacy of power
(d) Emerging pattern of sex-roles in modern so-
3. Critically examine the protective discrimina- ciety.
tion policy for the disadvantaged groups in In-
dia. Would you suggest any change in this policy? 2. Explain Karl Marx?s conception of class-an-
tagonism. How have the functionalists reacted to
4. What have been the functions of democracy in his views?
India? Has democracy been successful in elimi-
nating some of the traditional social inequalities? 3. What is the focus of sociological analysis in
the contributions of Emile Durkheim? Give your
SECTION - B answer with the help of any one of his contribu-
tions.
not more than 200 words each: 4. State the meaning and characteristics of an ideal
(a) Religious fundamentalism type What, according to Max Weber, is the use
(b) Socio-cultural factors related to declining pro- and significance of the ideal type in social science
portion of famales in sex-ratio research?
(c) Self-respect movement
(d) Social correlated of prostitution SECTION - B
6. Critically examine various tribal policies. Which 5. Write short notes on any THREE of the fol-
tribal policy would you advocate for tribal devel- lowing (Each note should not exceed 200 words):
opment in India and why? (a) Types of Exchange
(b) Incest taboo
7. Do you agree with the view that slums are ar- (c) Informal structure of Bureaucracy
eas of darkness and despair? Give reasons in sup- (d) Religion and Science.
port of your answer.
6. Distinguish between the processes of formal
8. Critically evaluate the child welfare education and socialization. Examine effectivity
programmes in India. Have they benefited all sec- in-formal education as an instrument of social
tions of children in India? change.
7. What social conditions causes a social move-

ment? Explain, with illustrations, the career of a
social movement.

8. Define social policy. Evaluate the performance UPSC IAS Main

of social policy in modernization of developing
societies. Sociology Optional Paper
Year – 2002
PAPER - II
PAPER - I
SECTION - A
SECTION - A
(each note should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Caste and Indian polity
(a) Sociology as a Science
(b) Poverty alleviation programmes
(b) Theory and Fact
(c) Impact of West on Indian society
(c) Social mobility and social change
(d) Agrarian class structure in India.
(d) Social movement and social change
2. Examine the role of Arya Samaj and
2. Examine the nature of social facts as under-
Ramkrishna Mission on reform movements in
stood by Durkheim.
India.
3. Critically examine Weber?s theory of Protes-
3. What factors are responsible for the instability
tant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.
of the Indian family? Will the family survive the
present crisis in modern society?
4. Distinguish between Sex and Gender. Discuss
the gender issues with suitable examples.
4. What is meant by democratic decentralization?
Assess the working of panchayati Raj in India.
SECTION - B
SECTION - B
5. Write short notes on nay THREE of the fol-
lowing (Each note should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Industrialisation and social change
(b) Community power
(a) Education and social mobility
(c) The sacred and the profane
(b) Satya Sadhak Samaj
(d) Ethos of science
(c) Privatization and globalization
(d) Social consequences of alcoholism and drug
6. What are the uses of Bogardus? social distance
addiction
scale and of Likert scale? Discuss.
6. Critically examine the existing welfare
7. In what way is the process of socialisation help-
programmes for women in India. Have they ben-
ful in the development of personality? Explain
efitted all sections of women in India?
with suitable examples.
7. Explain the concept of secular state and dis-
8. Explain Melvin Tumin?s critique related to the
cuss the problems of India as a secular state.
theory of social stratification.
8. Elaborate the concept of political elite. Explain
PAPER - II
how social struetural origins of political elites
SECTION - A
influence their political orientations.
1. Write notes on any THREE of the following
(in not more than 200 words each):
(a) Emergence of Dalit Consciousness
(b) Integration of Tribes in Hindu Culture

(c) Characteristics of Neo-Rich agrarian class. UPSC IAS Main

(d) Reservation and Panchayat Raj institutions. Sociology Optional Paper
2. Discuss the metaphysical and ethical basis of Year – 2003
Hindu social organisation.
PAPER - I
3. Discuss the Louis Dumont?s concept of purity SECTION - A
and pollution. How far these concepts are rel-
evant in explaining the Hindu caste system? 1. Write short notes on any THREE of the fol-
lowing (each note should note exceed 200 words)
4. Examine the ways in which Indian society can (a) Primary and Reference Groups
be strengthened as multi-cultural society. Is the (b) Utility of Reliability and Validity in Social
dominance of single culture is a hinderance to Research
multiculturalism in India? (c) Social System and the Pattern Variables
(d) Education and social Development
SECTION - B
2. Highlight the problem of objectivity and value-
5. Write notes on any THREE of the following neutrality in Social Research. Elaborate, with suit-
(in not more than 200 words each): able examples, the limitations associated with the
(a) Inequality among Brahmins. tools of measurements in Social Science Re-
(b) Problems of Hindu minority in Kashmir. searches.
(c) Nature of atrocities on married women.
(d) Problems of child labour in India. 3. Discuss the meanings and significance of cul-
ture in Human Society. Critically bring out the
6. Is Secularism a weak ideology? Critically role of Culture in the development of personal-
analyse the reasons for anti-secular trends in In- ity.
dia.
4. Critically examine Max Weber?s theory of the
7. Examine the impact of mass media on Indian „Protestant ethics and the spirit of the Capital-
society. Whether western consumerism and ma- ism?. Could it be the otherwise possibility that
terialistic culture, creeping in through mass me- the tenets of the capitalism must also have ef-
dia, are adversely affecting the traditional Indian fected the emergence of the Protestant ethics?
culture? Comment with suitable examples.
8. Analyse the ideological and strategical features SECTION - B

of Naxalbari movement.
5. Write short notes on any THREE of the fol-
lowing (each note should note exceed 200 words)
(a) Social impact of New Technologies in India.
(b) Class-in-itself and Class-for-itself
(c) Social determinants of Economic Develop-
ment
(d) Social Structure and Political Participation.
6. Examine the conceptual distinction between

social inequality and social stratification. How do
the nature and forms of the social stratification
system determine the patterns of social mobility?

7. Elaborate on the concepts of Family and Lin-

eage Discuss the relationship between Rules of 8. Describe the process of modernization in In-
descent and inheritance of property. dia. Discuss the factors that have impeded this
process.
8. Critically analyse the concept of Anomie.
Elaborate with suitable examples, the theoretical UPSC IAS Main
relationship between nature of Anomie and types
of Social Deviations as have been formulated by Sociology Optional Paper
R.K. Merton. Year – 2004
PAPER - II PAPER - I
SECTION - A SECTION - A
1. Write short notes on any THREE of the fol- 1. Write short notes on any THREE of the fol-
lowing in not more than 200 words each: lowing (Each note should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Caste among Muslims (a) Objectivity and Value Neutrality in Social
(b) Emergence of classes among tribes Research.
(c) Social consequences of green revolution (b) Bureaucracy in New Capitalist Economy
(d) Regionalism (c) Gender Roles in Changing Structure of fam-
ily
2. Describe the characteristics of dominant caste. (d) Class within Caste and Caste within Class.
Discuss its role in village politics in India.
2. Give a critical Review of Emile Durkheim?s
3. Outline the factors responsible for unrest in Theory on Religion and Society. To what extent
agrarian communities of India. What suggestions does it explain the contemporary scenario in Asia?
will you give to arrest this trend?
3. Socialisation and social control are comple-
4. Discuss how occupational diversification has mentary to each other in maintaining social or-
affected the pattern of social stratification in In- der.? Elucidate your answer with appropriate il-
dia. lustrations.
SECTION - B 4. Briefly discuss the Conflict Perspective on so-

cial stratification and examine the view that so-
5. Write notes on any THREE of the following in cial inequality in India is the function of rigid so-
not more than 200 words each: cial stratification system.
(a) Educational problems of weaker sections
(b) Socio-cultural factors influencing infant mor- SECTION - B
tality rates
(c) Isolation approach in tribal policy 5. Write short notes on any THREE of the fol-
(d) Social dimensions of corruption lowing (Each note should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Authority and Legitimacy
6. Describe the socio-economic factors respon- (b) Privatization of Education & Equality of Op-
sible of communal tensions in India. What sug- portunity
gestions will you give to control them? (c) Science and Social Responsibility
(d) Ideology and Strategy of Social Movement
7. Differentiate between pressure groups and in-
terest groups. Describe the role of some promi- 6. Examine in detail the impact of new global
nent pressure groups in contemporary Indian economy on work organisation and family struc-
politics. ture in India.

7. Examine the functional as well as dysfunctional

UPSC IAS Main
aspects of religion in a pluralistic society taking
India and the United States of America as illus- Sociology Optional Paper
trative models. Year – 2005
8. Bring out a comparative analysis of Marxian PAPER - I
and Parsonian views of social change and exam- SECTION - A
ine the relevance of each view of social develop-
ment in the contemporary India. 1. Write short notes on nay three of the following
PAPER - II (a) Sociology and its relationship with econom-
SECTION - A ics and political science
(b) Social research design
1. Write notes on any THREE of the following in (c) Class struggle as conceived by Karl Marx
not more than 200 words each: (d) Role of Family in Social Control
(a) Caste mobilisation in North India.
(b) Impact of Muslims on Indian Society. 2. Discuss Max Weber?s ideal types and the role
(c) Feudalism and Semi Feudalism of authority in bureaucracy.
(d) Social Consequences of Globalisation.
3. Elucidate changing structure of family and mar-
2. Discuss the influence of socio-cultural factors riage in modern society.
on age of marriage in India.
4. How is vertical and horizontal social mobility
3. Critically evaluate education as a tool for so- problematic in society? Suggest solutions.
cial justice.
SECTION - B
4. “The 73rd and the 74th constitutional amend-
ments have motivated social mobilisation in rural 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
India.” Discuss. (Each note should not exceed 200 words):
(a) Social determinants of economic development
SECTION - B (b) Power elite in society and the emergence of
new elite in power structure
5. Write notes on any THREE of the following in (c) Origins of religious beliefs and practices in
not more than 200 words each: pre-modern societies
(a) Role of religion in civil society. (d) Social consequences of science and technol-
(b) Migration and tribal communities. ogy in India
(c) Socio-cultural factors related to foeticide.
(d) Strategies of rural development 6. Discuss modes of political participation and
voting behaviour in India.
6. Discuss in detail impact of mass media and edu-
cation on Indian society. 7. Describe the ideological changes that have ush-
ered in modern society due to social movements
7. Discuss in detail atrocities on women and sug- in India.
gest annihilative measures for them.
8. Discuss mass education as an instrument of
8. Analyse socio-cultural consequences of cor- social change and modernization.
ruption and suggest remedial measures for curb-
ing it.

PAPER - II
SECTION - A
UPSC IAS Main
1. Write short notes on any three of the following Year – 2006
(a) Racial Theories of origin of caste PAPER - I
(b) Characteristics of peasant societies SECTION - A
(c) Generation gap (d) Inequality in Education
2. Discuss the paradoxical nature of change in (each note should not exceed 200 words):
contemporary Indian society. Describe the fac- (a) Intellectual background for the emergence of
tors responsible for it. sociology.
(b) Concept of Ideal Type and its limitations.
3. Describe the process of emergence of the (c) Nuclear family and industrial society.
middle class in India. What role has the middle (d) Vertical society mobility.
class played in national development?
2. Explain Karl Marx?s theory of social change?.
4. Discuss the social base of political parties in What are the reactions of functionalists to his
India. What has been its impact on Indian democ- views?
racy?
3. What according to Emile Durkheim is the na-
SECTION - B ture of relationship between the individual and
society? Explain this with the help of his analysis
5. Write short notes on any three of the following of division of labor in society.
(a) Pluralism and national unity 4. What are the reactions of Robert Merton to
(b) Religious fundamentalism the functionalism pioneered by social anthropolo-
(c) Self-respect Movement gists? Indicate in limitations of his idea of latent
(d) Obstacles to change in Indian society functions.
6. Describe the distinctive features of tribal com- SECTION - B

munities in India. Discuss the factors affecting
tribal identity. 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
7. Describe various aspects of urban environment (a) Caste-system as a principle of social stratifi-
in India and assess the impact of urban develop- cation.
ment programmes on it. (b) Structure of a social movement.
(c) Religion and Science.
8. Describe the process of social mobility among (d) Human factors involved in directed social
lower castes and discuss the role of the Back- change.
ward Classes Movement in strengthening this
process. 6. “Education is one of the basic activities for the
continued existence and development of a soci-
ety”. Elaborate this statement.
7. Explain the idea of social responsibility of sci-

ence. Analyse the social consequences of devel-
opment of science and the social consequences

6. Indicate social determinants of economic de-

of development of science and technology in the velopment. Discuss any one sociological perspec-
context of removal of backwardness in develop- tive analysing backwardness and poverty in the
ing societies. developing societies.
8. State significance of social policy in social de- 7. What are the structural elements of a social
velopment. Under what conditions a social policy movement? State how a social movement comes
fails to be effective in its performance? to its end. Illustrate your answer with example.
8. Explain the meaning and modes of political par-

UPSC IAS Main ticipation. What are the factors preventing
people?s participation in politics in India?
Year – 2007 PAPER - II
SECTION - A
PAPER - I
SECTION - A 1. Write short notes on any three of the following
(each note should not exceed 200 words):-
1. Write short notes on any three of the following (a) Problem of dowry
(each note should not exceed 200 words): (b) Sanskritisation
(a) Sociology as a science of society (c) Programmes for urban development
(b) Talcott Parsons concept of social system (d) Problems of religious minorities
(c) Social facts
(d) Robert Merton’s views on manifest and la- 2. Discuss the role of various reform movements
tent functions in India.
2. Explain Karl Marx?s analysis of capitalistic 3. Describe the salient features of the poverty al-
mode of production and class-struggle. What are leviation programmes. What modifications would
the intellectual reactions to his views? you suggest to make them more effective?
3. What is the subject-matter of Sociology ac- 4. Discuss the various problems of tribal com-
cording to Max Weber? Which major methods munities in India and assess the impact of tribal
did he suggest for social science research? Illus- development efforts after Independence.
trate your answer with his sociological contribu-
tions. SECTION - B
4. Elaborate Emile Durkheim?s analysis of the 5. Write short notes on any three of the following
elementary forms of Religious Life & role of re- (each note should not exceed 200 words):
ligion in society. How does he explain existence (a) Education and social mobility
of religion in modern industrial societies? (b) Regionalism
(c) Market economy and its social consequences
SECTION - B (d) Agrarian Unrest
5. Write short notes on any three of the following 6. Discuss the major problems of religious fun-
(each note should not exceed 200 words): damentalism in contemporary India. Give sugges-
(a) Changing structure of family tions to tackle these problems.
(b) Role-conflict and its resolution
(c) Education as an instrument of social change 7. Discuss the social consequences of economic
(d) Features of Pre-Industrial economic system reforms like liberalization, privatization and glo-
balization.
8. Discuss the impact of legislation and socio – 8. How does hierarchy get built into the system
economic changes on marriage and family insti- of natural and social inequalities?
tutions. Are these institutions weakening in con-
temporary India? PAPER - II
SECTION - A
UPSC IAS Main
1. Write Short Notes on any Three of the follow-
Sociology Optional Paper ing ( Each one should not exceed 200 words ) : -
Year – 2008 (a) Village studies in Indian Sociology
(b) Concept of Hierarchy in Louis Dumont?s writ-
PAPER - I
ing
SECTION - A
(c) Informal sector in the urban economy in India
(d) S N D P Movement
ing ( Each one should not exceed 200 words ) : -
2. How has the Marxist perspective been applied
(a) Role of value in sociology enquiry
to explain social backward of Indian National-
(b) Social mobility in open and closed system
ism.
(c) Social movement as an expression of protest
(d) Education as an agent of social change
3. What is Patriarchy? How have the women?s
movements confronted the norm of Patriarchy?
2. How is emergence of sociology linked with
modernization of Europe?
4. How do you differentiate between social change
and modernization? Explain with examples from
3. What is the importance of sampling in socio-
Indian Society?
logical studies? Distinguish between simple ran-
dom sampling and stratified random sampling.
SECTION - B
4. Using Max Weber?s theory, discuss what ethi-
cal and religious ideas produced capitalism in cer-
ing (Each one should not exceed 200 words): -
tain societies and how?
(a) Disparities in education
(b) Pressure Groups
SECTION - B
(c) Religious revivalism
(d) Reproductive Health
in about 200 words each: (20 x 3 = 60)
6. What is the impact of Globalization on the
(a) Relevant of pattern variable in the society
structure and mobilization of the working class
change
in India
(b) Mead?s notion of self
(c) Importance and source of hypotheses in so-
7. What factors accounts for resurgence of eth-
cial research
nic identity movement in India? What according
(d) New trends in the type and forms of family in
to you is the proper strategy of integration of eth-
the cotemporary India
nic groups in mainstream?
6. What is Merton?s view of relationship between
8. How do you define development? What are
social structure and deviance? In what sense is a
your suggestions to resolve the issues of displace-
deviant also a conformist?
ment and environment related to development?
7. In what important ways can religion be a force
both for social stability and social change? Dis-
cuss.

UPSC IAS Main 6. a). Comments on the critics charge that

Immanuel Wallerstein's dependency theory is sim-
Sociology Optional Paper plistic and wrong. 30
Year – 2009
b). What , according to Max Weber , is the role
of “ Particular religion ideas” in the emergence
PAPER - I
of modern capitalism ? 30
SECTION - A
7. “Science without religion is lame. Religion
without science is blind” Comment on this state-
(each note should not exceed 200 words)
ment critically in the light of emerging sociologi-
20×3=60
cal context in Europe, USA and India. 60
a) Problems of objectivity in sociological research.
b) Subject-matter of Sociology, according to
8. Discuss the emerging forms of marriage and
Emile Durkheim.
family with examples from the West and The East
c) Comparison between Sociology and Econom-
. Can there be family without marriage ? Exam-
ics
ine. 60
d) Talcott Parson?s idea of „ moving equilibrium
PAPER - II
2. a). Distinguish between probability and non
SECTION – A
probability sampling methods. How many types
of sampling design are there? 30
in not more than 200 words each in sociological
b). Comment on the responses aof the function-
perspectives 20×3=60
alist school to Karl's Marx's views on social
a) Ideological perspective of G.S. Ghurye
change. 30
b) Emergence of middle class in India c) Dynam-
ics of Dalit Movements
3. a). Comment on the reasons why neo-idealists
d) Colonial hangover and its social impact
and symbolic integrationists are critical of „ posi-
tivism? in Sociology. 30
2. a). What has been the impact of globalization
on the cultural aspect(s) of the family ? 30
b). What are the reasons for calling Kingsley Davis
and Wilbert Moore's theory of social stratifica-
b). Comment on the changes in the household
tion a functional theory ? 30
dimensions of family under modern economic re-
forms.30
4. To Robert Merton , deviant behavior is a re-
sult of anamic . Analysis his sociological theory
3. What are the main principles of the structural
of deviant behavior , with a special reference to
functional perspective ? Comment on the suit-
his formulation of types of deviance. 60
ability of applying this perspective to the study
of Indian Society. 60
SECTION – B
4. Comment in about 300 words each on the fol-
lowings 30×2=60
(each note should not exceed 200 words)
a). Changes that the agrarian social structure in
20×3=60
India is under going.
a) C. W. Mills Power Elite
b). Can religion form a sufficient basis of forming
b) Industrialization and Changes in the Family's
cultural identity in India ?
Functions.
c) Secularization of societies in the modern world.
d) Structure of social movement.

SECTION – B vivalism & fundamentalism in the context of glo-

balization. 30
in not more than 200 words each in sociological 3.a. work in capitalism is reduced to mere labor
perspectives 20×3=60 in which the individual doesn’t develop freely his
a) Law and social change physical & mental energy but mortifies his body
b) New rural elite and leadership & ruins his mind. Critically evaluate the asser-
c) Fertility and population growth tion.
d) Possibilities of slum reform
30 b. compare Karl Marx with emile Durham
6. Comment in about 300 words each on the fol- with reference to the framework of division of
lowings 30×2=60 labor. 30
a). Comment on the influence of social and cul-
tural factors on family planning in India. 4.a. critically analyze the contributions of g.h.
b). Evaluate the success of Indian peasant move- mead to „symbolic interactionism. 30
ments in achieving their goals.
b. examine how open & closed systems of strati-
7. a). In the Context of the Caste System , Criti- fication are undergoing transformation in the
cally examine Louis Dumont?s concept of purity emergence of new hierarchical social orders in
and pollution. 30 societies. 30
b). Comment on the sociological impact of glo-
balization on people working in the informal sec- SECTION - B
tor. 30
5. write short notes on any 4 of the following ,
8. Do you think that poverty, deprivation and in- keeping sociological perspectives in view in about
equalities are the major challenges in the process 200 words each. 15×4 = 60
of social transformations? What are your sugges-
tions to address and resolve these Problems? 60 a. feminization of labor in informal sector
b. identity politics
UPSC IAS Main c. positive religion
d. kinship & social capital
Sociology Optional Paper e. human relation school of thought by Elton mayo
Year – 2010 as a social organization of work process in in-
dustry
PAPER - I
SECTION - A
6.a. there has been the substantial decline in la-
bor class & increase in labor force in non-manual
1. write short notes on any 4 of the following ,
jobs with the advent of new technological revo-
keeping sociological perspectives in view in about
lution . critically examine. 30
200 words each. 15×4 = 60
a. content analysis
b. discuss between people being socially excluded
b. nomothetic & ideographic methods
& people excluding themselves socially in soci-
c. serendipity
eties. 15
d. cybernetic hierarchical of control
c. science has empirical means to logical ends &
e. ethnicity & development
religion has non-empirical means to logical ends.
Comment. 15
2.a. sociology without history is rootless & his-
tory without sociology is fruitless. Elaborate. 30
7.a. list the source of power & explain the vari-
b. examine the social dimensions of religious re-
ous indicators based on which power can be mea-
sured. 30
Your answer should have sociological perspec-

b. analyze social impact of market economy on tive . 3×20 =60
traditional societies. 15
a. factors responsible for increasing demands for
c. examine the social dimensions of displacement the formation of separate states
induced by development. 15
b. social security measures for the elderly c. eth-
8.a. evaluate how civil society & democracy mu- nic movements
tually reinforce each other. 30
6.a. evaluate the policy of SEZ & nature of so-
b. examine karl marx?s views on class-in-itself' cial response to it. 30
& class-for-itself with reference to proletarians.
30 . b. from sociological perspective, examine the ef-
fects of the BPO industry on the youth. 30
PAPER - 2
7.a. identify the reasons for the resilience of demo-
1. write short notes on sociological perspectives cratic system in India. 30
on the following not more than 200 words each.
3×20 =60 b. assess the contribution of contemporary
a. A.R. Desai's characterization of leadership of women's movements in women's empowerment.
Indian freedom movement 30
b. women in IT sector c. the parsi community & 8.a. discuss the social-cultural factors for the de-
its contribution to Indian society clining sex-ratio in some states of India. 30
2. comment critically on each of the following in b. highlight the important dimensions of inter-
200 words. 3×20 = 60 caste conflict in India. 30
a. the heterogenic features that influenced Indian
tradition, according to yogendra singh
b. linkage between patriarchy & honor killings
c. Dumont's concept of homohierarchies.
UPSC IAS Main
3. a. with reference to their understanding of the Sociology Optional Paper
Indian village, compare the perspective of
m.n.srinivas & S.C. Dube 30
Year – 2011
PAPER - 1
b. critically assess the forms in which untouch- SECTION - A
ability continues to be practiced . 30 4.a. discuss
the inter-relationships between caste, class & 1. Write short notes on the following, keeping
power . 30 sociological perspective in view (Each short note
in about 150 words): 12x5=60
b. how far is structural functional perspective
helpful inj understanding changes in contempo- (a) Emergence of Sociology is an outcome of
rary Indian society? modernity and social change in Europe
SECTION - B
(b) Fact and Value (c) Reliability and Validity
5. write short notes on sociological perspectives
(d) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of
on the following not more than 200 words each.
Capitalism

(e) The problem of gender concentration of power at larger levels of social

organization.” Discuss. 20
2. (a) What can Sociology show us about our
actions? Discuss the practical significance of (b) Highlight prerequisites of social movement
Sociology. 30 bring out the differences between social
movement and revolution. 20
(b) What is Class? Do you think that Weber?s
contribution to social stratification is different (c) “Collective action in politics can bring
from that of Marx? 30 integration and disintegration in society.”
Comment. 20
3. (a) What is subjective method in social research
? Examine Focus group Discussion (FGD) as a 7. (a) Define sect, cult and religion. In what way
technique for data collection, with suitable do Weber?s views on religion differ from those
examples. 30 of Durkheim? 20
(b) Define Ideal Type and explain Weber?s (b) What you mean by marriage and family?
concept of „Verstehen? for understanding social Discuss the structural and functional changes in
phenomena. 30 family in modern society. 20
4. (a) Give conceptual meaning of social system. (c) Explain the concepts of Participatory
What is cognitive consonance between „pattern? Democracy What conditions are assumed to be
variables? and „paradigm?? 30 conducive to participation? 20
(b) What do you mean by social mobility? Discuss 8. (a) “ Social support mechanism needs to be
the major sources and causes of mobility. 30 strengthened for effective implementation of
development programmes.” 20
SECTION - B
(b) Discuss World System Theory in the context
5. Write short notes on the following from a of modern society. 20
sociological perspective (Earth short note in about
150 words): 12x5=60 (c) “Science and Technology are major forces
accelerating the process of social change.”
(a) Self-Help Group (SHG) as an informal Comment. 20
organization of work
PAPER - 2
(b) Power Elite
Section-A 1. Write short notes with a sociological
(c) Cultural Pluralism perspective on the following in not more than 150
words each: 4x15 =60
(d) Lineage and Descent
(a) Perspectives? on the study of caste by M.N.
(e) Development and Dependency Srinivas and Andre Beteille.
6. (a) What is formal organization? “The growth (b) Distinction between the concepts of family
of bureaucracy has resulted in extreme and household.
(c) Unity and diversity among the tribes in India.

(d) The book-view and the field-view in Indian

20 (c) „Casteism is the modern edition of the caste
sociology.
system.? Do you agree with this statement /
Discuss with arguments. 20
2. (a) Bring out the relationship between fertility
and social structure as viewed by Davis and Blake.
7. (a) Comment on the factors responsible for
30
the growth and consolidation of middle level
peasantry in rural India. How is it related to
(b) “Protective discrimination not only protects capitalism in Indian agriculture? 30
but also discriminates.” Comment. 30
8. (a) Rapid urbanization and sustainable
3. (a) Distinguish between „secularism? and development do not go together. Discuss with
„secularisation?. Analyse the nature and extent arguments. 20
of secularization in contemporary India. 30
(b) Analyze the changing nexus between caste and
(b) Analyze the term dalit? and the evolution of tribe. 20
the related concept as a reflection of the changing
consciousness and self-assertion of the dalit
(c) Bring out the relationship between social class
community. 30
and mortality. 20
4. (a) How are the issues of ethnicity are the issues
of ethnicity and nationalism related? Discuss in
UPSC IAS Main
the context of the emergence of ethno nationalism Sociology Optional Paper
in India. 30 Year – 2012
(b) What are the linkage points between
PAPER - 1
globalization and the growth of the informal
SECTION - A
sector? How have these affected the nature and
functioning of the working class? 30
1. Write short notes in the following, keeping
sociological perspective in view (Each short note
Section-B 5. Write short notes on the following
on about 150 words):-
in not more than 150 words each. Your answer
(a) Interpretative Sociology
should have a sociological perspective. 4x15=60
(b) Fact Value and Objectivity
(c) Universalism vs. Particilarism
(a) Stage of the Women?s movement in India. (d) Comparative Method
(b) Impact of Green Revolution on rural class Question 2.
structure. (a) How did the French revolution and Industrial
revolution play an important role in the emergence
(c) Infant Mortality Rate is the most sensitive of Sociology?
index for measuring development. Comment. (b) Show how Durkheim through of totemism
demonstrates the reality of religion.
(d) Structural factors behind violence against
women. Question 3.
(a) 'Power and authority go together.' Examine.
6. (a) Critically examine D.N. Dhanagare?s views Explain the various types of authority also.
on agrarian movements in India. 20 (b) Examine how Weber's characterisation of capi-
talism is different from those of Marx.
(b) Explain the interface between population, (c) 'Social fact is to be treated as a thing.' Dis-
ecology and environment in the context of India. cuss.

(e) Interaction of 'little tradition' and 'great

SECTION - B iradition'.
5. Write short notes in the following, from a so- Question 2.

ciological perspective (Each short note on about (a) Distinguish between the following:
150 words):- (i) Tribe and Caste
(a) Stratification of Classes (ii) Affinal kin and Consanguineous kin.
(b) Industrial Democracy (iii) Marriage as sacrament and marriage as con-
(c) Citizenship and Civil Society tract.
(d) Millenarian Movements (iv) Positional change and structural change.
(e) Theory of Cultural Lag-Ogburn and Nimkoff.
(b) 'Indian society may be understood as a sys-
Question 6. tem of cognitive structures.' How far do you agree
(a) In our society Hierarchical relations are influ- with this statement?
enced by social mobility ? Discuss.
(b) In Marxian classification of Society, feudal (c) Comment on the social and cultural determi-
and slave societies are very important. How are nants of sexual decision of labour.
they different from each other?
(c) Are Social movement always influenced by Question 3.
ideologies? Discuss. (a) Examine the impact of secularization on vari-
ous religious communities in India.
Question 7. (b) Has geographic and economic mobility im-
(a) Discuss the factors leading to growing reli- pacted the tribal culture and social structure ? Give
gious revivalism in the contemporary world. examples.
(b) Describe the important of lineage and descent
in kinship and family. Question 4.
(c) Show how family is distinct from household. (a) Has nuclear family existed in traditional In-
dia? Discuss with reference to the views of I. P.
Question 8. Desai.
(a) How so formal and informal organisation of (b) How have social reform movements in colo-
work influence labour's mobility ? Exaplain with nial India contributed to modernization of Indian
examples. society?
(b) What do you understand by nation ? Is the (c) Discuss the factors which contributed to in-
nation same as the state ? Discuss. dustrial modernization in India. What are the sa-
(c) 'Revolutionary change have some specific lient features of new industrial class structure ?
characteristics.' Discuss with examples.
SECTION - B
PAPER - 2
SECTION - A 5. Write short notes with a sociological perspec-
tive on the following in not more than 150 words
1. Write short notes with a sociological perspec- each:-
tive on the following in not more than 150 words (a) Demographic perspective of Indian youth.
each:- (b) Regional political elites and the democratic
(a) Limitations of the dialectical approach to the process.
study on Indian society. (c) Education and Dalit empowerment.
(b) Changing rural power structure. (d) Constitution as a living document of social
(c) Challenges to institution of marriage. change.
(d) Westernization and institutional changes in (e) Education and removal of inequality.
India.

Question 6.
(a) Critically examine the concepts of nation and citizenship in the context of globalization.
(b) Discuss some social and cultural determinants of infant morality rate. Give your suggestions to
prevent infanticide.
(c) Bring out some positive and negative social consequences of green revolution. How has green
revolution changed the rural social structure?
Question 7.
(a) Describe those social changes which have contributed to increase of violence against women.
What are the emerging forms of violence against women? Suggest suitable measures to contain this
problem.
(b) What are the problems if ageing population? Describe the declining traditional social support
system for the aged. Suggest alternative measures to support ageing population.
Question 8.
(a) Have the new economic policy and economic reform led to weakening of labour class move-
ments? Explain your views with examples.
(b) Do you think that some policies and laws relating to environment have retarded the development
process ? Give examples. How can an ideal balance between environmental protection and develop-
ment goals be brought about?
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UPSC IAS (Mains) Sociology Optional Papers : Year - 1979 to 2012

10. Explain the basic features of the ex post facto

8. Distinguish between observation and interview-

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3. Describe the traditional modes of adaptation UPSC IAS Main

8. Explain why it is not urbanization alone, but Section - B

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6. Compare and contrast the stratification sys-

2. Examine on the basis of empirical evidence PAPER - I

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5. Write notes on any three of the following is

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8. Examine the relationship between social struc-

1. Write short notes on any three of the following PAPER - I

Section - B (a) Education for social equality.

5. Write short notes on any three of the following

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(c) Urban emerging pattern of rural leadership.

PAPER - II UPSC IAS Main

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(c) Role of mass media in modernization.

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7. Examine the role of education is cultural con-

7. How do changes in the age and sex roles in the

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8. How far are social policy and directed social

Section - B 4. What does R.K. Merton mean when he admits

(a) Green Revolution and Social Tensions Section - B

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PAPER - II UPSC IAS Main

7. Elaborate the concepts of „status –consistency?

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8. What is happening to religion in the face of

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UPSC IAS Main

4. Explain issue emerging from inter-religion in- 3. In modern structural-functionalism. Merton?s

8. What is Social Policy and its relevance to so-

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cial policy becomes a hinderance in social devel-

5. Write notes on any three of the following (each SECTION - B

PAPER - II UPSC IAS Main

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(c) Impact of Islam on Indian society UPSC IAS Main

7. Explain the concept of power. Distinguish be-

8. What are the structural conditions under

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movements. PAPER - II UPSC IAS Main

7. Bring out the commonality between a social

5. Write notes on any three of the following in SECTION - B

7. Is ideology an essential component of a social

PAPER - II UPSC IAS Main

7. What social conditions causes a social move-

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8. Define social policy. Evaluate the performance UPSC IAS Main

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(c) Characteristics of Neo-Rich agrarian class. UPSC IAS Main