UPSC Sociology PYQ Compilation | Topic wise | Year wise Previous Year Questions

UPSC Sociology Syllabus
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YearPaper 1
❇️ Sociology – The Discipline ❇️
Marks
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2024Sociology is the product of European enlightenment and renaissance. Critically examine this statement.20
2024Discuss the nature of Sociology. Highlight its relationship with Social Anthropology.10
2023Discuss the relationship between Sociology and Political Science.10
2023Do you think that common sense is the starting point of social research? What are its advantages and limitations? Explain.20
2022Delimit the scope of Sociology in relation to other social sciences.10
2022What aspects of Enlightenment do you think paved way for the emergence of sociology? Elaborate.20
2021How is Sociology related to common sense?10
2021From the viewpoint of growing importance of multidisciplinarity, how do you relate sociology to other social sciences?20
2020In the Context of globalization, has the scope of Sociology been changing in India? Comment.10
2020How did the Intellectual forces lead to the emergence of Sociology? Discuss.10
2019Discuss the historical antecedents of the emergence of Sociology as a discipline10
2018“The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relationship between the two in the society”. – CW Mills. Explain.20
2018The focal point of Sociology rests on interaction. How do you distinguish it from common sense?10
2017Explain how sociology has emerged as a distinct discipline based on rationality and scientific temper.10
2017Discuss the changing equations of discipline of sociology with other social sciences.20
2016“Sociology is pre-eminently study of modern societies”. Discuss.10
2016Is Sociology common sense? Give reasons in support of your argument.10
2015How had Enlightenment contributed to the emergence of Sociology?10
2014Write short answer of the following in about 150 words: How did the emergence of industrial society change the family life in Western Europe?10
2014How is sociological approach to human actions different from that of psychological approach?10
2013“Sociology emerged in Europe and flourished to begin with on social reformist orientation in the USA.” Comment.10
2013Compare and contrast Sociology with Anthropology.10
2011What can Sociology show us about our actions? Discuss the practical significance of Sociology.30
Year ❇️ Sociology as Science ❇️Marks
2024Do you think ‘objectivity’ is an over-hyped idea in sociological research? Discuss the merits and demerits of non-positivist methods.20
2023How does the dramaturgical perspective enable our understanding of everyday life?10
2023What are the characteristics of scientific method? Do you think that scientific method in conducting sociological research is foolproof? Elaborate.20
2023Examine the relevance of corporate social responsibility in a world marked by increasing environmental crises.10
2022What are the shortfalls of positivist philosophy that gave rise to the non-positivist methods of studying social reality?20
2022How does a researcher achieve objectivity in interpretative research?10
2021Do you think ethnomethodology helps us in getting reliable and valid data? Justify your answer.10
2021How far are sociologists justified in using positivist approach to understand social reality? Explain with suitable illustrations.20
2020Methodology is a system of rules, Principles and procedures, which forms scientific investigation. Comment.10
2020Phenomenological perspectives in Sociology reject many of the assumption of positivism. Comment.20
2020Is Sociology a Value -free Science? Discuss.10
2019Discuss the importance of interpretative understanding of social phenomena and explain its limitations.20
2018Is non-positivistic methodology scientific? Illustrate20
2018Distinguish between fact and value in Weber’s Protestant Ethics and Spirit of Capitalism10
2018Does scientific method make sociology a science? Illustrate your answer with Durkheim’s method.10
2017Examine the basic postulates of positivism and post-positivism.20
2017Elaborate the main tenets of interpretative perspective in sociology.10
2016Describe the basic postulates of scientific method. How far are these followed in sociological research?20
2016What is `value-free sociology‘? Clarify10
2015“Non-positivistic methodology is essential for understanding human behaviour”. Discuss.20
2015Examine the problems of maintaining objectivity and value neutrality in Social Science research.20
2015Is Sociology a Science? Give reasons for your answer.10
2014In what way ‘interpretative’ method is different from ‘positivist’ approach in the study of social phenomena?20
2014How is objectivity different from value neutrality? Discuss with reference to Weber’s views on methodology.10
2012Write short note: Fact, Value and Objectivity12
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Year ❇️ Research Methods and Analysis ❇️Marks
2024What do you understand by ‘mixed method’? Discuss its strengths and limitations in social research.20
2024How do you view and assess the increasing trend of digital ethnography and use of visual culture in sociological research?20
2023What are variables? How do they facilitate research?10
2023What are the ethical issues that a researcher faces in making use of participant observation as a method of collecting data? Explain.10
2023What are the different dimensions of qualitative method? Do you think that qualitative methods help to gain a deeper sociological insight? Give reasons for your answer.20
2022What is reliability? Explain the different tests available to social science researcher to establish reliability.10
2022Suggest measures to minimize the influence of the researcher in the process of collecting data through focus group discussion.10
2022Explain the different types of non-probability sampling techniques. Bring out the conditions of their usage with appropriate examples.20
2022The difference between information and data in social science is subtle. Comment.10
2022What is the distinctiveness of the feminist method of Social research? Comment.10
2021Discuss the challenges involved in collecting data through census method.10
2021How do qualitative and quantitative methods supplement each other in sociological enquiry?20
2020Analyse the strengths and weakness of social survey method in social research.10
2020Discuss the importance and source of hypothesis in social research.10
2019Explain the probability sampling strategies with examples.10
2019Bring out the significance of ethnography in social research.20
2018Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection with suitable examples from Indian society.10
2018Explain with examples, the explanatory and exploratory designs of social research.10
2017How can one resolve the issue of reliability and validity in the context of sociological research on inequality?10
2017Examine epistemological foundations of qualitative methods of social research.10
2017Illustrate with example the significance of variables in sociological research.10
2015Discuss the relevance of historical method in the study of society.10
2016“Participant observation is the most effective tool for collecting facts.” Comment.20
2016“Hypothesis is a statement of the relationship between two or more variables”. Elucidate by giving example of poverty and illiteracy.10
2016Analyse the importance of qualitative method in social research.10
2015Why is random sampling said to have more reliability and validity in research?20
2015What are variables? Discuss their role in experimental research.10
2014Which research technique would be most suitable for the study of consumer behaviour and its social correlates? Explain.20
Year ❇️ Sociological Thinkers ❇️Marks
2024How is ‘power’ different from ‘authority’? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber.10
2024Explain G.H. Mead’s idea of development of ‘self’ through the ‘generalised other’.10
2024Describe various characteristics of a ‘social fact’. How is rate of suicide a social fact according to Durkheim?10
2024Critically explain the salient features of ‘alienation’ as propounded by Karl Marx.10
2024Describe the main idea of Max Weber’s book, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism as a critique of Marxism.20
2024Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group.10
2023What is historical materialism? Examine its relevance in understanding contemporary societies.20
2023Is reference group theory a universally applicable model? Elucidate.10
2022According to Mead the idea of self develops when the individual becomes self-conscious. Explain.20
2022Critically analyse Parsons views on society as a social system.20
2022According to Mead the idea of self develops when the individual becomes self-conscious. Explain.20
2022Critically examine the relevance of Durkheim’s views on religion in contemporary society.10
2022Critically examine how Durkheim and Merton explicate Anomie.20
2022Durkheim argued that society is more than the sum of individual acts. Discuss10
2021With suitable examples, explain how conformity and deviance coexist in a society as propounded by R.K. Merton.10
2021Do you agree with Max Weber’s idea that bureaucracy has the potential to become an iron cage? Justify your answer10
2021Explain whether Durkheim’s theory of Division of Labour is relevant in the present-day context.10
2021Critically examine the dialectics involved in each mode of production as propounded by Karl Marx.20
2020Write short note: Mead’s notion of self.10
2020What are the reactions of R.K Merton to the functionalism of social anthropologists? Bring on the limitations of latent functions.20
2020Analyse the relevance of ‘Pattern Variables’ in the study of Social change.10
2020‘Ideal Types’ of Max Weber are mental constructs; they do not correspond to the reality. Give your views.10
2020What are the problems in observing social facts in Durkheim’s views?10
2020Critically analyse Durkheim’s views on elementary forms of religious life and role of religion. Also discuss the consequences of religious revivalism in contemporary society.20
2020Critically assess the Marxian Theory of ‘Alienation’10
2019According to Mead, “We play a key role in our own socialisation.” Explain.20
2019How according to Merton, are deviant subcultures generated?20
2019Discuss the importance of interpretative understanding of social phenomena and explain its limitations.20
2019How well do you think Tonnies, Durkheim, Weber and Max predicted the character of modern society? Critique.10
2019What is the Marxist concept of fetishism of commodities.10
2018According to Marx, how are human beings alienated from their human potential and what does he suggest to change this?20
2017Analyse Marxian conception of historical materialism as a critique of Hegelian dialectics.20
2016Evaluate Marx‘s ideas on mode of production10
2018Explain Durkheim’s basic arguments on suicide. Can you analyse high suicide rates of contemporary Indian society with Durkheim’s theory?20
2017Discuss distinct sociological method adopted by Emile Durkheim in his study of ‘suicide‘.20
2016How is Durkheim‘s theory of religion different from Max Weber‘s theory of religion?20
2015Elaborate the views of Durkheim on ―The Elementary Forms of Religious Life.10
2016Examine Max Weber‘s method of maintaining objectivity in social research.20
2015Discuss the role of Calvinist ethic in the development of Capitalism.20
2011Define Ideal Type and explain Weber’s concept of ‘Verstehen’ for understanding social phenomena.30
2018How can Parsons’ AGIL framework be used to analyse key problems in a society? Discuss.20
2017Critically analyse Talcott Parsons’ conception of ‘Pattern Variables’.10
2016Describe the functional prerequisites of social system as given by Talcott Parsons. Examine in the context of a university as a social system.20
2015How is social equilibrium maintained in Parsonian framework?20
2010Write short note on Cybernetic Hierarchy of Control.15
2019What, according to Merton, is the difference between ‘unanticipated consequences’ and ‘latent functions’? Give examples to elaborate.10
2019How, according to Merton, are deviant subcultures generated?20
2018What is the difference between anomie in Merton and Durkheim?10
2016Analyse the manifests and latent functions of `security of the tenure of bureaucrat‘s in the light of Merton‘s theory.20
2015“Anomie is rooted in social structure”. Explain with reference to R.K. Merton‘s contribution.10
2019According to Mead, “We play a key role in our own socialisation”. Explain20
2018Do you think, “I” and “Me” are central terms in Mead’s work?10
2015“Self and Society are twin-born”. Examine the statement of Mead.10
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Year ❇️ Stratification and Mobility ❇️Marks
2024How does a multicultural society accommodate diversities of all kinds — ethnic, linguistic and religious? Discuss its major challenges.20
2024What is social mobility? Critically examine the classification of ‘closed’ and ‘open’ models of social stratification.10
2023How is poverty a form of social exclusion? Illustrate in this connection the different dimensions of poverty and social exclusion.20
2023Explain Max Weber’s theory of social stratification. How does Weber’s idea of class differ from that of Marx?20
2023Do you think that the boundary line between ethnicity and race is blurred? Justify your answer10
2022How do sociologists construct gender in their analysis on social inequality?10
2022Social stratification is claimed to contribute to the maintenance of social order and stability in society. Critically assess.20
2022Discuss social mobility in open and closed systems10
2021Explain the growing salience of ethnicity in the contemporary world with illustrations.10
2020How are Hierarchy and Exclusion the major impediments in the transformation of societies? Discuss.20
2020Critically assess social mobility in closed and open systems.10
2019Davis and Moore made it clear that social stratification is a functional necessity and also an unconscious device. Discuss.10
2019Compare and contrast the contributions of Marx and Weber on social stratification in capitalist society.20
2019Why is gender a dimension of social stratification? How does gender intersect other dimensions of inequality based on caste, class, race and ethnicity?20
2019Modernisation presupposes class society; however caste, ethnicity and race are still predominant. Explain.20
2019Discuss the issues of access and exclusion in higher education in India.10
2018What is the difference between natural and social inequality? Give examples from caste and class dimensions.10
2018Evaluate if social stratification is functional for society.10
2018Schooling does not ensure upward mobility of all members of the society. Discuss with reference to class societies.20
2018Is social mobility possible in closed systems of stratification? Illustrate from research work.10
2017Examine gender, ethnicity and race as major dimensions of social stratification.20
2017What is Weberian critique of Marxist notion of social stratification?20
2017Can we equate ‘poverty’ with ‘poor living‘? Elaborate your answer.10
2016Discuss the relationship between poverty and social exclusion.10
2016Elucidate the basic premises of Davis‘ structural functional theory of social stratification. How far is it relevant in understanding contemporary Indian Society.20
2016“Vertical mobility brings structural change even in a closed social system”. Comment.10
2015Differentiate between Marxian and Weberian theories of Social Stratification.20
2015“No society can either be absolutely open or absolutely closed”. Comment.10
2013Distinguish between people being socially excluded and people excluding themselves socially in societies.10
Year ❇️ Work and Economic Life ❇️Marks
2024Describe the differing principles of work organization in feudal and capitalist societies.10
2024Critically assess the impact of technological advancement and automation on the nature of work and employment.10
2024Define the concept of ‘gig’ economy and discuss its impact on labour market and workers’ social security net.20
2023Explain how economic globalization has brought changes in the patterns of employment in the 21st century.20
2022What characterizes degradation of work in capitalist society according to Marx?20
2022Explain the implications of feminization of work in the developing societies.20
2021Explain the emerging challenges in establishing gender equality in the informal sector.10
2021How has the idea of ‘Work from Home’ forced us to redefine the formal and informal organization of work?20
2021Elucidate the main problems and challenges faced by the migrant labourers in the recent ‘Lockdown period’.20
2021Explain how political parties and pressure groups are dialectically related to each other in terms of achieving their goals.20
2020Capitalism has brought increasing informalisation of work in society. Substantiate your answer.20
2020Discuss the new labour codes and their impact on formal and informal labour in India.20
2019What is ‘informal labour’? Discuss the need for and challenges in regulating informal labour in post-industrial society.20
2019What is ‘reserve army of labour’? Present the position of feminist scholars on this.10
2019Present a sociological review on the ‘new middle-class’.10
2019Differentiate between ‘Life-chances’ and ‘Life-style’ with suitable examples.10
2018Discuss the nature of social organisation of work in capitalist society with reference to the ‘Limits of the working day’.20
2018What is labour commitment? Discuss it with reference to studies of manufacturing industries.20
2017Trace the changing nature of organisation of work in capitalist society over the years.20
2017What do you understand by ‘informalisation of labour’? Write your answer with special reference to India.10
2016“Globalization has pushed the labour into informal organization of work”. Substantiate your answer with suitable examples.20
2016Describe the nature of social organization of work in Industrial Society.10
2015The increasing importance of the tertiary sector has weakened the formal organization of work in recent times. Examine the statement.20
2015Distinguish between the social organization of work in feudal society and in capitalist society.10
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Year ❇️ Politics and Society ❇️Marks
2024Discuss the dimensions of power in the construction and maintenance of social hierarchies in a society.10
2024Underline the role of social media in contemporary social movements and describe its challenges.20
2024Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment.10
2023Is Weber’s idea of bureaucracy a product of the historical experiences of Europe? Comment.20
2023What, according to Robert Michels, is the iron law of oligarchy? Do lions and foxes in Vilfredo Pareto’s theory, essentially differ from each other? Substantiate20
2023How is civil society used in deepening the roots of democracy?20
2023Do you think that the social media has brought significant changes in the forms of protest? Argue your case.20
2022Analyse the nature of transition from ideology to identity politics India20
2022Discuss how ‘environmentalism’ can be explained with new social movements approach.20
2022Illustrate with examples the role of pressure groups in the formulation of social policies10
2021Critically examine the relevance of Vilfredo Pareto’s theory of Circulation of Elites in the present scenario. 10
2021Highlight the roles and function of civil society in a democratic system10
2020According to Mills, “Elite’s rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms.” Comment.10
2020Explain democracy as an order of society. What are the factors preventing people’s participation people’s participation in politics?10
2020Examine how social movements come to an end. Illustrate with examples.10
2019What is civil society? Present a note on civil society engagement in science and technology policy in India.10
2019What are the theoretical models of societal power? Which one of them is most applicable in advanced industrial societies?20
2019Discuss the concept of circulation of elite.10
2018Are social movements primordial in means and progressive in agenda? Explain.10
2018What, according to Pareto, are the basic characteristis of elites? Discuss.10
2017Examine the dynamics of pressure groups in multi-party political system.10
2017What is new in ‘new social movements’? Elaborate your answer with special reference to India.20
2017Discuss the changing interface between state and civil society in post independent India10
2016To what extent revolution replaces the existing order of society? Discuss.10
2016Examine the role of protest movements in changing the status of Dalits in India.10
2016Discuss the importance of `power elite‘ in democracy.10
2015“Globalization involves deterritorialization”. Examine with reference to the nation-state10
2015Caste ideology appears to have strengthened democracy. Comment.20
2015Explain the conditions under which a collective action transforms into a social movements20
2015“Ideology is crucial for social transformation in a democracy”. Discuss10
2014“Power is not a zero-sum game”. Discuss with reference to Weber‘s and Parsons‘views.20
2012Write short notes: Citizenship and civil society12
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Year ❇️ Religion and Society ❇️Marks
2024How do you understand the phenomena of the mushrooming of sects and cults in contemporary society? Discuss the factors responsible for the trend.20
2024Do modernization and secularization necessarily go together? Give your views.10
2024Discuss the concept of animism and differentiate it from naturism.10
2023What is Taylorism? Analyze its merits and demerits.20
2023What are new religious movements? Elaborate emphasizing their forms and orientations.20
2023Highlight the differences and similarities between totemism and animism10
2023What functions does religion perform in a pluralistic society?10
2022Write a note on global trends of secularization.10
2022How do-little tradition and great tradition coexist in contemporary Indian society?10
2021Critically compare the views of E.B. Tylor and Max Muller on Religion. 10
2021What is cult? Explain the growth of cults in the contemporary world.10
2021Give your comments on the growth of religious revivalism in the present-day context.10
2020State the reasons for the various religious beliefs and practices in pre-modern societies.10
2019Are all world religions patriarchal? Substantiate your answer with examples.20
2018What are sects? Discuss their role in multi-religious societies with empirical examples.20
2018In what way did Durkheim perceive religion as functional to society?10
2018Discuss the challenges thrown by religious revivalism to a secular nation-state.10
2017Elaborate on various types of religious practices prevalent in Indian society10
2017Problematise the concept of secularism in the present context10
2017Give an assessment of Durkheimian notion of ‘sacred’ and ‘profane’ in sociology of religion.10
2016“Religious pluralism is the order of present–day societies”. Explain by giving suitable examples.20
2016Is religion playing an important role in increasing fundamentalism? Give reasons for your answer.10
2015Define Secularisation. What are its major dimensions in the modern world?20
2015Distinguish between sects and cults with illustrations.10
2014How is religious revivalism different from communalism? Elaborate with suitable examples from the Indian context.20
2013“Science has empirical means to logical ends and religion has non-empirical means to logical ends”. Comment.10
Year ❇️ Systems of Kinship ❇️Marks
2024Modern families have not just become nuclear and neo-local, but also filiocentric. How do you explain this trend?20
2024What are the ‘basic and irreducible’ functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons? Explain.10
2024Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from ‘ritual’ to ‘commercial’ in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change.10
2023Analyze critically David Morgan’s views on family practices10
2023How do you assess the changing patterns in kinship relations in societies today?20
2023Does women’s education help to eradicate patriarchal discriminations? Reflect with illustrations.10
2022Discuss various theoretical perspectives on the family.20
2022How do you understand the relationship between patriarchy and social development?10
2021Explain how the pattern of patriarchy is being altered in a family and at the workplace in the present context.20
2021. Is male authority absent in matrilineal society? Discuss.10
2021Discuss the changing nature of kinship relations in the contemporary world.20
2020What is the impact of gender division of labour on the development of society?20
2020Discuss the consequences of Across Region marriage on kinship system in modern Indian society.10
2020Does the institution of marriage continue to be sacred in Indian society? Comment.10
2019In the light of judicial intervention on ‘Live-in relationships’, discuss the future of family and marriage in India.20
2019What, according to Irawati Karve, are the major differences between North Indian and South Indian Kinship systems?10
2019Feminist scholars argue that ‘New Media’ is masculine and hence reinforces structural hierarchies rather than reconfiguring them. Comment.20
2018What are the new forms of family in developed societies? Discuss.10
2018Distinguish between family and household with reference to the concept of the deveiopment of household.20
2018Define patriarchy. How does patriarchy manifest in interpersonal relations?10
2017Discuss the regional variations of kinship system in Indian society.20
2017Examine the relationship between the contemporary trends in marriage and changing forms of family.20
2017Examine ‘patriarchal bargain’ as gendered division of work in contemporary India.10
2016Distinguish between family and household as sociological concepts.10
2016Discuss the contemporary trends in family as a response to social change in modern society.20
2015How do the rules of descent and alliance in kinship differ from each other? Illustrate.10
2015Is male authority absent in matrilineal society? Discuss.10
2013Examine the emerging trends in marriage and family as a response to the changes in economic and social order.20
2012Describe the importance of lineage and descent in kinship and family.20
Year ❇️ Social change in modern society ❇️Marks
2024Critically examine the World-Systems theory of Immanuel Wallerstein in terms of development and dependency of various nations.10
2024Discuss various theories of social change. Explain the limitations of unilinear theory of social change.20
2024Critically examine the roles of science and technology in social change. What is your opinion on their increasing trend in ‘online’ education and teaching?10
2023Assess critically A. G. Frank’s theory of development of underdevelopment’.10
2023Examine the role of science and technology in addressing age-old taboos and superstitions.10
2022Trace the trajectory of development perspectives on social change.10
2022Sociologists argue for democratization of science and technology for inclusive development. Comment.20
2022Are traditional social institutions getting weakened as agents of social change in the contemporary society? Substantiate.20
2021Describe the role of Science & Technology in enabling us to face the challenges triggered by the COVID – 19 pandemics.20
2021Critically examine the contribution of dependency theories in understanding the present global scenario20
2020Is humanity at the mercy of Nature, Science, and Technology? Comment in the light of the pandemic situation.20
2020Education is often viewed as an agency of social change. However, in reality it could also reinforce inequalities and conservatism. Discuss.10
2020Technology has accelerated the process of development and dependency. Discuss20
2020How does Marx view social conflict as an essential element in social change?20
2020According to Durkheim, “The major function of education is the transmission of society’s norms and values.” Discuss.20
2019Critique AG Frank’s ‘development of underdevelopment’.10
2019How well do you think Tonnies, Durkheim, Weber and Marx predicted the characteristics of modern society? Critique.10
2019What is affirmative action? Substantiate theoretical positions on affirmative actions with examples.10
2019How is terrorism a new form of asymmetrical warfare? What are some of the challenges in trying to win the war on terrorism?10
2018Is the theory of cultural lag valid in present times? Discuss.10
2018Does collapse of functionalism and bankruptcy of Marxism coincide with the rupture of modernity. Discuss.20
2017Critically analyse the role of science and technology in bringing about social change.20
2017Assess the role of mass media as an agent of social change.10
2017Examine any two theories of social change in detail.20
2016“Education is a major source of social mobility in contemporary society”. Explain.20
2016“Social change can be brought about through development”. Illustrate from the contemporary situation of India.20
2016“Social conflict is both a cause and a consequence of social change”. Explain.10
2015Examine the dialectical relation between tradition and modernity in the study of social change.20
2015“Education helps in perpetuating social and economic inequalities”. Critically examine the statement.20
2015Explain the relevance of the idea of ‘cultural lag‘ in understanding social change10

YearPaper 2
Syllabus topic
Marks
Introducing Indian Society
❇️ Perspectives on the study of Indian society ❇️
2024Differentiate between ‘Western’ and ‘Indological’ perspectives on the study of Indian society. Bring out the major aspects of G. S. Ghurye’s contribution to the ‘Indological’ approach.20
2023Examine the concept of ‘Cultural Pluralism’ in the context of India’s Unity in Diversity.10
2023Highlight the significant features of A.R Desai’s ‘Dialectical Perspective’ to study Indian Society.10
2022Elaborate on M.N. Srinivas’s structural-functionalist approach to the study of Indian society10
2022Critically examine G.S. Ghurye’s Indological approach to the understanding of Indian society.20
2020Elaborate A. R. Desai’s perspective to the study of Indian society.10
2019Give an account of Ranajit Guha’s approach in studying ‘subaltern class’.10
2019Elaborate Srinivas’ views on religion and society among the Coorgs10
2018Write a note on GS Ghurye’s Indological perspective of understanding Indian society.10
2018Analyze AR Desai’s views on India’s path of development20
2017Write a critique of the structural and functional Perspective used by M.N. Srinivas in the understanding of Indian society.10
2016Salient features of A.R. Desai‟s Marxist Sociology.10
2015Discuss Marxist approach to the analysis of Indian nationalism.20
Year ❇️ Impact of colonial rule on Indian society ❇️Marks
2024Highlight the major contributions of the reform movements in pre-independent India.20
2022Examine the social background of growth of Indian nationalism.20
2021Discuss in detail the major contribution of Prof. Yogendra Singh in theorizing India’s modernization.20
2020Banning Practice of ‘Sati’ is attributed to annihilation of a major social evil in colonial Indian. “Comment.10
2020Colonial administrators helped to construct the very traditionalism which marked the Indian society as ‘backward’. Comment critically.20
2019Illustrate the contributions of Tebhaga movement to the peasant struggles in India.10
2019Do you think that the Indian saints have brought about social reform and awareness in Indian society? Explain.10
2018Examine sociological dynamics of Champaran peasant movement in colonial India20
2017Discuss Yogendra Singh‟s thesis on Modernization of Indian Tradition and evaluate its applicability in the present day context.20
2017The main objectives of socio-religious movements during the colonial rule in India were, reforming and synthesizing. Hinduism. Write on any two such important movements.20
2016Anti-Brahmanical movements during the colonial period.10
2015Discuss the paradigm of modernisation of Indian tradition in analyzing social change in India.20
2015Analyze Gandhi as a moralist, ascetic and man of action through his Hind Swaraj.20
2015Jyoti Rao Phule as an agrarian radical.10
2015Discuss Marxist approach to the analysis of Indian nationalism.20
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Social Structure
Year ❇️ Rural & Agrarian Social structure ❇️Marks
2024Identify different forms of inequalities associated with agrarian social structure in India.20
2023Do you agree with the view of Andre Beteille that India’s villages are representative of Indian society’s basic civilizational values? Present a sociological overview.10
2023Discuss the main features of Land Reforms in post-independence India.10
2023“The decade of 1950 was the golden period of village studies in Indian Sociology.” Explain the statement.10
2022Do you agree that the agrarian class structure in India is changing? Justify your answer with illustrations.10
2022Discuss the challenges during village studies in India.10
2021Examine the factors responsible for the rural unrest in contemporary India.20
2021Discuss the role of Technology in agrarian change in India.10
2019Examine the changing initiatives of the land tenure system in India.10
2019Critically examine Dube’s contributions to the study of Indian villages.20
2018Give a critical analysis of Andre Beteille’s study of Tanjore village.10
2016Analyse the major components of Land Reform Acts. Show their effectiveness in curbing rural inequality.10
2016Significance of Village Studies in Indian Sociology.10
2011Comment on the factors responsible for the growth and consolidation of middle level peasantry in rural in India. How is it related to capitalism in Indian agriculture?30
Year ❇️ Caste System ❇️Marks
2024What are the different forms of untouchability still practised in India? Discuss with suitable illustrations.10
2024What, according to you, are the factors responsible for the continuance of caste system in India? Explain.10
2023Analyse the differences between the attributional and interactional approach in studying the caste system.10
2023Critically examine the concept of Sanskritization with suitable illustrations10
2023Contextualize Louis Dumont’s concept of ‘binary opposition’ with reference to caste system in India.20
2023Are Tradition and Modernity antithetical to each other? Comment.10
2022In the context of the changing Indian society, how do you view Andre Beteille’s conceptions of harmonic and disharmonic social structures?10
2022Explain different forms of untouchability in India10
2021Caste System studies in India have been dominated by the “book -view” initially. How did the entry of “field- view” bring about a balance in the study of Indian caste system? Discuss.10
2021What does Dr. B.R Ambedkar mean by the concept of “Annihilation of Caste”?10
2021Caste-like formations are present in Non-Hindu religious communities as well. Discuss with examples.10
2021Is Indian society moving from “hierarchy” towards “differentiation”? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.20
2021What are the various forms of untouchability in India? Critically examine.20
2020“Indian caste system is unique and has been unhealthy for the growth of Sociology of India”. How far do you agree with this view?20
2020Discuss Whitehead’s contention that caste has the potential to displace class and colonial contradiction.20
2020How do you justify Dumont’s deliberate stress on ideology that produced intellectualized account of Indian society?10
2019Write a note on Ghurye’s conception of caste in India.10
2019What is caste politics? Substantiate your answer with examples of how identities are defined by caste dynamics.20
2018What do you understand by discrete castes and muddled hierarchies? Substantiate your answer with suitable illustrations.20
2017What, according to you, are the two fundamental axes of social discrimination in Indian society? Are they changing?20
2017What are the changes in the cultural and structural aspects of the caste system since independence?10
2017How have the struggles against untouchability changed their forms and perspectives from Gandhian to Ambedkarite positions?10
2017Which is more significant, the principle of ‘hierarchy’ or the principle of “difference‟, in intercaste relations in the present day?10
2016Different forms of Dalit assertion.10
2016Comment on the increasing significance of caste in politics.10
2016Discuss Andre Beteille‟s account of the relationship between caste, class and power as a change from symmetrical to asymmetrical one.20
2016How has B.R. Ambedkar identified the features of caste system? How is it different from the mainstream treatment of caste features?20
2015How far Srinivas‟ Sanskritization is modernizing force or traditionalizing force in understanding the changes in caste system?10
2015In caste system changing, weakening or disintegrating in India?20
2015How far Gandhi was trusted by the untouchables?10
2015Louis Dumont‟s perspective on Indian caste system10
Year ❇️ Tribal Communities in India ❇️Marks
2024Analyse the trilogy between environmental movement, development and tribal identity.20
2024What are the definitional problems involved in identifying tribes in India?
Discuss the main obstacles to tribal development in India.
20
2023Analyse the perspectives of Isolation, Assimilation and Integration in understanding the trajectories of Indian Tribal Development.20
2020Explain the definitional problems concerning the tribal communities in India.10
2020Examine the colonial policy of segregation of tribes under the Government of India Act 193520
2019Comment on the growing assertion of tribal community for autoomy in India.10
2019What is ethno-nationalism? Examine the critical factors responsible for tribal discontent in India.20
2018Discuss development induced displacement in the context of tribal uprising in India. Substantiate your answer with any one detailed illustration from India.20
2017Why have we started using another category of tribes called the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)? Why are they so called?10
2017What is the nature of religious change among tribal communities? Illustrate with two examples from colonial and post independence times.20
2016How is the tribal question related with the issues of integration and autonomy in modern India?20
2016“Isolationism” as a dominant feature of colonial tribal policy10
2015Main objectives of Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP).10
2015Verrier Elwin‟s views on freedom for the tribals10
2012Has geographic and economic mobility impacted the tribal culture and social structure? Give examples.30
Year❇️ Social Classes in India ❇️Marks
2024What, according to André Béteille, are the bases of agrarian class structure in India? Analyse.10
2024Discuss the changes taking place in the industrial class structure in India.10
2023Explain the implication and the impact of globalization in situating the changing agrarian class structure in India.20
2023Elaborate the salient features and the role of middle class in India’s democracy and development.20
2022Do you agree that the agrarian class structure in India is changing? Justify your answer with illustrations10
2021Discuss the salient features of “new middle class” in India.10
2020How does Andra Beteille Justify ‘middle class in India?10
2019Give an account of Ranajit Guha’s approach in studying sub-altern class.10
2018Write a note on changing roles of middle class women in India.10
2018How has the New Economic Policy (1991) affected the lifestyle and life-chances of new middle class in India.20
2016What accounts for the growth & consolidation of the middle classes in modern India?10
2012Discuss the factors which contributed to industrial modernization in India. What are the salient features of new industrial class structure?20
Year ❇️ Systems of Kinships in India ❇️Marks
2024Why is the study of marriage important in Sociology? Analyse the implications of changing marriage patterns for Indian society.20
2024Do you think that family bondings are being affected by the changing kinship patterns in India? Comment.10
2024Is patriarchy a key to understanding different forms of inequalities in Indian society? Elaborate.10
2023Define the concepts of ‘Descent’ and ‘Alliance’. Differentiate between North Indian and South Indian Kinship systems with examples.20
2023Analyse the role of market and modern forces in understanding the changing trends in marriage systems in India.10
2022Discuss the material basis of patriarchy as an ideological system.20
2020Discuss the conceptual issues about lineage and descent in India. Give suitable illustrations.20
2020Analyze household dimensions of family in India.20
2019Define patriarchy. Does it have bearings on women’s entitlement in Indian family system? Explain.20
2018Illustrate the importance of ‘Kanyadan’ and ‘Kulabadhu’ in changing institutions of marriage and family.10
2018Discuss the issues relating to entitlement of transgender in Indian society.10
2017Compare the North Indian Kinship System with the South Indian Kinship System.10
2017Clarify the distinction between “household‟ and “family‟ and evaluate whether joint families have completely disintegrated.20
2016Comment on the factors behind the changing status of women in urban India20
2016Bring out the significance of the difference between family and household.20
2016Patriarchy as a form of dominance.10
2015Why is it necessary to implement PCPNDT Act in India?10
2015What is patriarchy? How does it affect the child socialization pattern in India?20
2015Give some of the important studies relating to the structural changes in the Indian family system.20
2015Feminization of poverty10
Year ❇️ Religion and Society ❇️Marks
2024How do religious communities contribute to the cultural diversity of India?20
2022Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India and suggest measures to solve them.10
2020Write a note on cultural pluralism’ in multi – religious society like India.10
2019How do you understand the minority question? Examine the violence and discrimination against the religious minorities in India.20
2018Discuss the growth of religious sects in India.10
2018Write a critical narrative on the concerns of religious minorities in India.20
2018Assess the impact of ban on ‘Triple Talaq’ on marriage and divorce among the Muslim community in India.10
2017What are the distinct features of Islam as practiced in India, and how have they changed over time?10
2016Elucidate the concepts of `majoritarianism‟ and `minoritarianism‟ in accentuating communal tensions in India.20
2015What are the basic tenets of Hindu religion? Is Hinduism based on monotheism or polytheism?20
2011Distinguish between secularism and secularization Analyse the nature and extent of secularization in contemporary India.30
Social Change in India
Year ❇️ Visions of social change in India ❇️Marks
2024Analyse the trilogy between environmental movement, development and tribal identity.20
2024Critically examine the relevance of development planning in India.10
2024Education is a key to social development. Elucidate.10
2024Do you think that the constitutional provisions for women have led to their uplift? Give reasons for your answer.20
2023Highlight the salient features of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.10
2022“Instead of promoting equality in society, the present system of education itself has contributed to increased socio-economic disparities.” Comment.20
2021Analyse the idea of development planning in India.10
2021Explain the sociological significance of the New Education Policy and its thrust on vocationalization and skill development.20
2020Discuss in detail the main issues of development planning in mixed economy like India?20
2020How does the New Education Policy, 2020 1 aim to eradicate disparities in the system of education in India?10
2019Comment on the critical issues of commercialization of higher education in India.10
2019Examine the importance of Development Planning in Indian Mixed Economy, analyze its problems its problems and prospects.20
2018Elaborate the concept of constitutional morality as given by BR Ambedkar10
2018Assess the role of State in promoting education for girl child.10
2015Important components of National Education Policy in India.10
Year ❇️ Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India ❇️Marks
2024Despite the efforts of the government, bonded labour still continues in India. Discuss.10
2023Discuss the challenges faced by the cooperative movements in India. Suggest measures to strengthen the movement at the grass-roots level.20
2023What is ‘reverse migration’? Discuss its features, causes and consequences in India.20
2023Critique the victory narratives of Green Revolution in the context of Indian society.10
2022Explain how land reforms brought about desired agrarian transformation.20
2022What role do co-operatives play in poverty alleviation in rural India?10
2021What are the sociological reasons and implication of “reverse migration” during the recent pandemic in India?20
2021Comment on the role of co- operatives in rural development.20
2020Discuss the dynamics of ‘migrant workers’ in India in the context of Corona pandemic.20
2020Do you think MSP (Minimum Support Price) Scheme for agricultural produce can help in rural development? Elaborate your response with suitable examples.20
2020Point out the benefits of ‘green chemistry’ for agrarian transformation in India.10
2019Discuss the challenges the implementing the Rural Development Programmes in India.10
2018Has Green Revolution led to the formation of new power elite in rural India? Elaborate your answer.20
2018What are the issues relating to male migration and its impact on birth rate? Does it necessarily result in skewed sex ratio?20
2017Indebtedness is one of the serious issues leading to farmer‟s suicides. Discuss reasons and suggest solutions.20
2017Write a short note on ‘changing means of production and increased rural poverty.’10
2016Bring out the impact of the declining significance of the agrarian economy.20
2016Write a note on the uneven impact of `Green Revolution‟ on rural society20
Year ❇️Industrialisation & Urbanisation in India ❇️Marks
2024Are slums the manifestations of industrialisation and urbanisation in India? Explain.10
2024Is there a connection between labour migration and informal sector? Justify your answer with reference to Indian context.10
2024Examine with suitable examples the recent trends in the growth of urban settlements in India.10
2023Discuss the phenomenon of rural-urban continuum with suitable examples.10
2023What actionable measures would you suggest to curb the recurrent child labour menace in India?10
2022How do you view the growth of informal sector in India?10
2022Examine whether rural bondage still continues to be a social reality. Give your argument.10
2022Discuss different forms of deprivation associated with slums10
2022Discuss the changing nature of Industrial working class.10
2021Urban slums are sites of social exclusive -Explain10
2021Urban settlement in India tend to replicate its rural caste -kinship imprints. Discuss the main reasons.20
2020Point out the main causes of ‘child labor’ in India. How far the State policies have succeeded in its elimination?10
2019Elaborate urbanism as a way of life in India.10
2019Elucidate the concerns of growing urban displacement dynamics in India.10
2019Do you think that ‘demonetization’ has accelerated the economic growth in India? How do you understand the informalisation of labour, underemployment and gender discrimination in this context?20
2018How do you relate the growth of development of metropolis and its impact on the mental and social life of people of India?20
2018Write a note on Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) and the Integrated Housing and Slum Development (IHSD) programmes provided for the urban poor.10
2017Examine the impact of heritage tourism on urban socio-spatial patterns in India.20
2017Do you agree that the issue of child labour raises questions about and beyond the informal sector? Give reasons.10
2017Compare the problems of a dalit poor family living in an urban slum with a similar type of family living in a rural setting10
2016Examine the impact of industrialization and urbanization on family structure.20
2016Discuss the changing nature of the problems of working class in the informal sector of the economy20
2016Write a detailed note on the effects of growing slums in urban areas.20
2015Issues relating to the informal labour market in urban India.10
Year ❇️ Politics and Society ❇️Marks
2024What are pressure groups? Discuss their role in decision-making in democracy.10
2024Discuss the changing nature of political elites in India.10
2024What do you understand by decentralisation of power? What is its role in strengthening the roots of democracy in India? Elaborate.20
2023How do you account for the increasing significance of religion in public and personal spheres in the context of secularization thesis in India? Explain.20
2023Analyse the sociological interconnections between Social Media and Mass Mobilization in India.10
2022Examine different understandings of secularisation in India10
2021Does regionalism essentially lead to decentralization of power? Substantiate your answer with relevant examples.10
2021Is social democracy a precondition for political democracy? Comment10
2020Secularism was an outcome of 20th century humanistic radicalism.’ Comment on this statement10
2020Analyze the issues related to the citizenship in contemporary India. Give suitable illustrations.10
2020What do you understand by democratic federalism? How does it promote decentralization of power in India?10
2019Comment on the changing democratic profile in India.10
2019Discuss the implications of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’. Do you think that civil society has a role to play here? Substantiate your answer with examples.20
2018Has caste system hindered democracy and adult franchise in India? Discuss.20
2018With increase in education and economic development, is Indian society becoming more secular?10
2017To what extent does nation building depend on strengthening of pluralities in Indian society?20
2017Explain the concepts of “dominant caste‟ and “vote bank‟, giving examples from specific regions.20
2015Write a brief note on the Freedom of Press.10
2015Discuss B.R. Ambedkar as a wise democrat.20
Year ❇️ Social Movements in Modern India ❇️Marks
2024Trace the social and historical origins of Dalit movements in modern India.10
2024What is your assessment about the recent farmers’ movement in India? Elaborate.10
2023Do you think that the decades of Dalit political mobilizations and movements have helped in strengthening India’s democracy? Substantiate your arguments with facts.20
2023In the face of rising global climatic concerns, how do you contextualize the relevance of Chipko Movement and its Gandhian tone? Answer analytically.20
2022Define ethnicity. Discuss the factors responsible for the growth of ethnic movements in India.20
2022Bring out the various issues involved in Dalit movements in India.20
2022Critically examine the dialectics between ‘development and environment’.20
2021What is identity politics? Discuss the main trends in Dalit movements in India.20
2021Rising “ethnocentrism” is leading to conflict in our society. Assess this statement with appropriate reasons20
2020Evaluate the nature and scope of anthropogenic influence on climate in India and also analyse the environmental movements arising out of it.20
2020Are the contemporary farmers’ movements in India changing their course? Discuss.10
2019Do you agree that social movements are caused by opportunity structures that are generated by media? Why?10
2018Explain the dynamics of neo-farmers’ movement in contemporary India.10
2018Elaborate the ‘Me Too’ Movement and its impact in India.20
2018Elaborate various forms of Dalit assertions in contemporary India. What are its implications on the Indian political system?20
2017Explain the issues relating to ethnicity and sub-ethnicity.10
2017Despite gains from the women’s movement and state policy of women empowerment, gender equality is far from achieved. Identify two major challenges that prevent this goal from being reached.20
2016What are the factors accounting for the resurgence of ethnic identity movements in India?10
2016Discuss the various forms of environmental movements waged in India10
2015Discuss the main features of farmers‟ movements in Independent India.20
2015What are the major concerns of ethnic identity and religious identity in India?20
2015Discuss the impact of post-1970 feminist movement on Indian middle class.20
Year ❇️ Population Dynamics ❇️Marks
2024Discuss the major challenges related to women’s reproductive health in India. What measures would you suggest to overcome these challenges?10
2023What is ‘Ageing’? Discuss the major problems of aged people in India.10
2023Discuss the nature of regional variations in sex ratio in India. Stating reasons thereof.10
2022Discuss recent trends in the structure of migration20
2021Is “ageing” an emerging issue in Indian society? Discuss the major problems of the old age people in India.20
2021Underline the socio-cultural factors responsible for India’s skewed sex ratio.10
2020What were the salient features of the India’s Population Policy (2000)? How far its goals have been achieved?20
2020. Give an account of the consequences and remedies of chronic malnutrition in India.10
2019Why has ‘active ageing’ become a glocal goal? Do you think the role of elderly care-giving is disproportionately gendered in developing countries? Why?20
2019What is social security? Examine the recent security measures adopted by the Government of India.10
2018Construct a sociological narrative on the increasing trend of child abuse in India.10
2017What are the causes and solutions for the law female sex-ratio in the DEMARU States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Gujarat?10
2017What are the emerging concerns on women’s reproductive health?10
2016How is ageing becoming an emerging issue in Indian society?10
2016Differential sex-ratio and its implications.10
2015Discuss the problems of elderly in India. What are the different perspectives to solve their problems?10
Year ❇️Challenges of Social Transformation ❇️Marks
2024To what extent have the legal provisions been effective in curbing violence against women in India? Give your argument.20
2024What is sustainable development? How can sustainability be achieved in India where livelihood needs conflict with environmental protection?10
2023Explain the thematic linkages between ‘Patriarchy’ and ‘Honour killing’ in India. citing some recent cases.20
2023Citing some case studies, expand the concept of ‘Development-induced Displacement’.10
2022Discuss law as an important instrument for women’s empowerment.10
2022Discuss the changing nature of structure of political elites20
2021The problem of displacement is inherent in the idea of development. Analyse the statement critically.20
2021Discuss the role of social media in communal polarisation. Suggest ways to combat it.20
2021Does “economic empowerment” automatically bring about “substantive empowerment” for women? Briefly describe the main issues in women empowerment in India10
2019Highlight the main features of the ‘Inter-linking of Rivers’ projects in India. What could be its probable advantages to Indian agriculture?20
2019Has reduction of green cover affected ecological degradation leading to global warming? Elaborate your answer with illustration.10
2019What is POSH Act? “Identification of tormentor by women at workplace does not come easily even today”. Examine the statement with substantive examples from India.20
2018Western patriarchy which surrenders feminine principles is the new development project in India. Do you agree with this view? Why?20
2017What is Cultural Revivalism? Give some examples from performing arts, language dissemination and arts and crafts in recent times.10
2017Discuss some of the striking issues of development induced imbalances that need urgent attention.20
2017Give an account of the problems relating to the “creamy layer”.10
2017Write a note on Education and Equality in India10
2017What are the reasons for the escalation of violence against women in the public domain?10
2016Discuss the emerging forms of “inequalities” and “acute poverty” as major challenges of social transformation in India.20
2016Empowerment through “Right to Education”10
2016Privatization of education and increasing inequalities.10
2015Human development approach affirms that education and health-care growth are more important than economic growth. Discuss this issue in the light of post-liberalized Indian society.20
2015To what extent the Muslim Personal Law Board is in agreement with Islamic feminist agenda?10
2015How serious is the problem of trafficking against women and children in India?10
2015Effect of displacement through development on the rural landless and marginal farmers.10
2014“Many caste conflicts are between castes which are close to each other on the hierarchical scale”. Give a sociological explanation for this phenomenon.20
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