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UPSC Sociology Optional Syllabus For UPSC Mains Exam 2024

Aditi Sinha August 21, 2023 01:26 10239 0

Find out the benefits of selecting Sociology Optional as an elective for UPSC preparation.

UPSC Sociology Optional Syllabus For UPSC Mains Exam 2024

Sociology is widely considered as one of the optional troika, along with PSIR and Public Administration. This is because of its popularity with UPSC aspirants. But before choosing Sociology as an optional, go through this article to better understand various facets of Sociology as an optional subject.

Sociology Optional: A Strategic Choice for UPSC Preparation

Sociology is the systematic study of human society and social interactions. Sociology Optional is currently one of the most-sought out subjects for UPSC Preparation. In recent times, we have seen many toppers choose sociology as an optional subject. There are many reasons for choosing Sociology Optional for IAS exam:

  • Overlap with General Studies: Many aspects of the sociology syllabus overlap with general studies, particularly in Paper 1.
  • Non-Complex Topics: Topics of sociology are not very complex and can be studied without specialized knowledge or academic background.
  • Suitable for Humanities and Non-humanities Students: Sociology can be chosen by both candidates belonging to humanities and non-humanities streams.
  • Availability of Resources: There are adequate resources available for sociology subject. This simplifies preparation of the subject.
  • Experienced Faculty: There are many reputed faculties who can guide students in their preparation. This attracts many candidates towards the subject.
  • High Scoring Potential: Analysing the trends from previous years have shown that sociology subject has high scoring potential.

How to Prepare for Sociology Optional Paper?

As a general practice, the candidates are required to have a thorough knowledge of the syllabus before starting the preparation. The total marks from both the papers is 500, with each paper carrying a weightage of 250 marks.

Each Paper is equally divided into two sections, with a total of eight questions. A candidate has to attempt five questions in total from the whole question paper, out of which Question 1 and Question 5 are compulsory. Out of the remaining questions, any Three are to be attempted, choosing at least One from each section.

Once the requirements are understood, the preparation can be started in the following manner:

  • Selecting Study Materials: The study material of the subject has to be collected from various sources in order to cover the maximum syllabus.
  • Analyse PYQ: The PYQs will give an idea about the nature of questions asked from each topic and the amount of knowledge needed to answer the questions.
  • Inter-linking Between Papers: While Paper 1 is static based, Paper 2 is dynamic in nature. The concepts studied in Paper 1 can be used to answer questions in Paper 2.
  • Understanding Concepts: The candidate must clearly understand the concepts so as to present them concisely in the exam.
  • Key Role of Notes Making: This is a very important strategy to ensure conceptual clarity, efficient revision, and effective application of knowledge during the exam. Thus it plays a very crucial role covering the whole syllabus in less time.
  • Answer Writing Practice: The candidate must regularly practice answer writing so as to learn the art of time management and information presentation.
  • Attempting Test Series: Initially join a topic wise test series that also provides valuation of answers. This will give an idea about the level of preparation and coverage of the syllabus. After completion of the topic wise test series, one must take full length practice tests to improve time management skills effectively. 
Related Articles 
UPSC Optional Subjects Syllabus & Subject List UPSC Sociology Syllabus
UPSC Public Administration Syllabus UPSC Political Science Optional Syllabus
UPSC Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Syllabus UPSC Anthropology Syllabus
UPSC Geology Syllabus UPSC Psychology Syllabus

Sociology Optional Syllabus for UPSC

The sociology optional syllabus gives a detailed list of topics and sub topics that have to be studied by the candidates. The detailed syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 is as follows.

Paper 1: Fundamentals of Sociology

Topic Syllabus
Sociology – The Discipline (a) Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of Sociology.
(b) Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.
(c) Sociology and common sense.
Sociology as Science (a) Science, scientific method, and critique.
(b) Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
(c) Positivism and its critique.
(d) Fact value and objectivity.
(e) Non-positivist methodologies.
Research Methods and Analysis

 

(a) Qualitative and quantitative methods.
(b) Techniques of data collection.
(c) Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability, and validity.
Sociological Thinkers:

 

(a) Karl Marx – Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle. 
(b) Emile Durkheim – Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society.
(c) Max Weber – Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
(d) Talcott Parsons – Social system, pattern variables.
(e) Robert K. Merton – Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.
(f) Mead – Self and identity.
Stratification and Mobility

 

(a) Concepts – equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty, and deprivation.
(b) Theories of social stratification – Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
(c) Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.
(d) Social mobility – open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.
Works and Economic Life

 

(a) Social organization of work in different types of society – slave society, feudal society, industrial capitalist society.
(b) Formal and informal organization of work.
(c) Labour and society.
Politics and Society:

 

(a) Sociological theories of power.
(b) Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups and political parties.
(c) Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
(d) Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.
Religion and Society

 

(a) Sociological theories of religion.
(b) Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.
(c) Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.
Systems of Kinship

 

(a) Family, household, marriage.
(b) Types and forms of family.
(c) Lineage and descent.
(d) Patriarchy and sexual division of labour.
(e) Contemporary trends.
Social Change in Modern Society

 

(a) Sociological theories of social change.
(b) Development and dependency.
(c) Agents of social change.
(d) Education and social change.
(e) Science, technology, and social change.

Paper 2: Indian Society: Structure and Change

Topic Syllabus
Introducing Indian Society 1. Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society:

(a) Indology (G.S. Ghure).
(b) Structural functionalism (M. N. Srinivas).
(c) Marxist sociology (A. R. Desai).

2. Impact of colonial rule on Indian society:
(a) Social background of Indian nationalism. 
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition.
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period.
(d) Social reforms.

B. Social Structure 1. Rural and Agrarian Social Structure:
(a) The idea of Indian village and village studies
(b) Agrarian social structure— evolution of land tenure system, land reforms.2. Caste System: 
(a) Perspectives on the study of caste systems: G. S. Ghurye, M. N. Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
(b) Features of caste system.
(c) Untouchability-forms and perspectives

3. Tribal Communities in India: 
(a) Definitional problems.
(b) Geographical spread.
(c) Colonial policies and tribes.
(d) Issues of integration and autonomy. 

4. Social Classes in India:
(a) Agrarian class structure.
(b) Industrial class structure.
(c) Middle classes in India.

5. Systems of Kinship in India:
(a) Lineage and descent in India.
(b) Types of kinship systems.
(c) Family and marriage in India.
(d) Household dimensions of the family.
(e) Patriarchy, entitlements, and sexual division of labour.

6. Religion and Society:
(a) Religious communities in India.
(b) Problems of religious minorities.

C. Social Changes in India 1. Visions of Social Change in India:
(a) Idea of development planning and mixed economy.
(b) Constitution, law, and social change.
(c) Education and social change.2. Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India:
(a) Programmes of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation schemes.
(b) Green revolution and social change.
(c) Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
(d) Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.

3. Industrialization and Urbanisation in India:
(a) Evolution of modern industry in India.
(b) Growth of urban settlements in India.
(c) Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
(d) Informal sector, child labour.
(e) Slums and deprivation in urban areas.

4. Politics and Society:
(a) Nation, democracy and citizenship.
(b) Political parties, pressure groups, social and political elite.
(c) Regionalism and decentralization of power.
(d) Secularization. 

5. Social Movements in Modern India:
(a) Peasants and farmers’ movements.
(b) Women’s movement.
(c) Backward classes & Dalit movements.
(d) Environmental movements.
(e) Ethnicity and Identity movements.

6. Population Dynamics:
(a) Population size, growth, composition and distribution.
(b) Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
(c) Population Policy and family planning.
(d) Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.

7. Challenges of Social Transformation:
(a) Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems and sustainability.
(b) Poverty, deprivation and inequalities. 
(c) Violence against women.
(d) Caste conflicts. 
(e) Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism. 
(f) Illiteracy and disparities in education. 

Sociology Optional Books for UPSC Preparation

Sociology optional books have to be selected in such a way that the whole of the syllabus is covered while also providing the content in an easily understandable manner. The following are the most vital sociology optional books:

Paper 1 Paper 2
  • Sociology: Themes and Perspectives by Haralambos and Holborn
  • An Introduction to Political Theory by O. P. Gauba
  • Sociology Introduction by Anthony Giddens
  • Essential Sociology by Nitin Sangwan
  • Sociological theory by Ritzer George
  • IGNOU Sociology Study Material
  • Sociological Thought by M Francis Abraham and John Henry Morgan
  • Social Change in Modern India by M N Srinivas
  • Indian Society: Themes and Social Issues by Nadeem Hasnain
  • Caste: Its Twentieth-Century Avatar by M N Srinivas 
  • Rural Sociology by S L Doshi
  • Persistence and Change in Tribal India by M.V. Rao
  • Social Background of Indian Nationalism by A R Desai
  • Handbook of Indian Sociology by Veena Das
  • Modernization of Indian tradition by Yogendra Singh
  • IGNOU Sociology Study Material

Sociology Optional: Relevance of Current Affairs for UPSC Preparation

In sociology optional, current affairs plays an important role in Paper 2, which is dynamic in nature. Before reading the current affairs, the candidate has to analyse PYQs to understand the types of current affairs questions that are asked in the exam. It will help in studying targeted sources.

It is not necessary that current affairs have to be used only if asked specifically in the exam. Information from current affairs can be quoted as examples, which will give the answers a much-needed dynamism. The main thing is that current affairs have to be approached from a sociological perspective

Sociology Optional PYQ Analysis

As mentioned in the beginning, PYQs are the directional markers, which guide aspirants on the right path of preparation. Studying PYQs help candidates to understand the depth of the knowledge that the exam demands. It also helps them identify the core topics that are repeated regularly in the exam. It is therefore necessary that PYQs are analysed regularly during the course of the preparation.

No Optional in UPSC is tough or easy. The selection of an optional is purely based on one’s interest. However, candidates preparing for sociology optional must keep in mind the vital points mentioned above, which will give them an edge over their competitors.

Sociology Optional Past Year Question Papers for UPSC Preparation

The table below contains the links of the Previous Year Question Papers of Sociology Optional Paper I and Paper II:

UPSC CSE Sociology Optional PYQ 2023 Paper 1: UPSC CSE Sociology Optional Paper I (2023)
Paper 2: UPSC CSE Sociology Optional Paper II (2023)
UPSC CSE Sociology Optional PYQ 2022 Paper 1: UPSC CSE Sociology Optional Paper I (2022)
Paper 2: UPSC CSE Sociology Optional Paper II (2022)
UPSC CSE Sociology Optional PYQ 2021 Paper 1: UPSC CSE Sociology Optional Paper I (2021)
Paper 2: UPSC CSE Sociology Optional Paper II (2021)
UPSC CSE Sociology Optional PYQ 2020 Paper 1: UPSC CSE Sociology Optional Paper I (2020)
Paper 2: UPSC CSE Sociology Optional Paper II (2020)

UPSC Sociology Optional Toppers: Rank, Marks and Achievements

The table contains the list of UPSC Toppers who got highest marks in Sociology Optional each year, along with their ranks and marks:

Year of Examination Name of the Candidate Rank of the Candidate Marks of the Candidate
2022 Komal Aggarwal 74 315
2021 Gamini Singla 3 287
2020 Meera K 6 315
2019 Sanjita Mohapatra 10 272
2018 Vishal Shah 63 329
2017 Anu Kumari 2 318
2016 Ila Tripathi 51 301

 

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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UPSC Sociology Syllabus FAQs

A serious aspirant usually reads the copy of toppers to understand the way answers are presented. This will help them take their preparation in the right direction.

Sociology optional topper copy is available online. The candidates have to identify the institutes who have such copies of successful candidates hosted on their websites.

Sociology Optional question paper of previous years can be downloaded from the official website of UPSC.

Sociology optional notes have to be revised as many times as possible. Higher the number of revisions, more likely the candidate will score well.

Sociology optional notes can be bought from brick-and-mortar stores or online. Some coaching institutes may provide sociology optional notes free of cost.

The toughness of sociology optional paper is not uniform. Some topics may be easier while others may be tough. In this way, UPSC tries to maintain a balance between all optional subjects.
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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