The UPSC offers Sociology as one of the optional subjects among the list of 48 subjects. This specialized subject’s syllabus for UPSC covers a wide range of topics, including the study of society, social institutions, sociological thinkers, social movements, and research methods in sociology.
Candidates who choose Sociology as their optional subject will have to appear for two papers, each carrying 250 marks, thereby resulting in a total of 500 marks for this subject. These optional papers are an integral part of the UPSC Mains Examination, which is conducted after the IAS Preliminary exam. While Sociology may not be as commonly selected as some other subjects for the IAS Mains exam, candidates with a graduation degree in Sociology or a strong background in the subject can opt for it as their optional subject.
Sociology Optional Syllabus: Paper-1
Fundamentals of Sociology
Sociology: The Discipline
- Modernity and social changes in Europe and the emergence of Sociology.
- Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.
- Sociology and common sense.
Sociology as a Science
- Science, scientific method, and critique.
- Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
- Positivism and its critique.
- Fact value and objectivity.
- Non-positivist methodologies
Research Methods and Analysis
- Qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Techniques of data collection.
- Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability, and validity.
Sociological Thinkers
- Karl Marx – Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle.
- Emile Durkheim – Division of labor, social fact, suicide, religion and society.
- Max Weber – Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic, and the spirit of capitalism.
- Talcolt Parsons – Social system, pattern variables.
- Robert K. Merton – Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.
- Mead – Self and identity.
Stratification and Mobility
- Concepts – equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation.
- Theories of social stratification – Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
- Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity, and race.
- Social mobility – open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.
Works and Economic Life
- The social organization of work in different types of society – slave society, feudal society, industrial capitalist society.
- Formal and informal organization of work.
- Labor and society.
Politics and Society
- Sociological theories of power.
- The power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups and political parties.
- Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
- Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.
Religion and Society
- Sociological theories of religion.
- Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.
- Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.
Systems of Kinship
- Family, household, and marriage.
- Types and forms of family.
- Lineage and descent.
- Patriarchy and sexual division of labor.
- Contemporary trends.
Social Change in Modern Society
- Sociological theories of social change.
- Development and dependency.
- Agents of social change.
- Education and social change.
- Science, technology, and social change.
Sociology Optional Syllabus: Paper-2
1. Introducing Indian Society:
Perspectives on the study of Indian society,
- Indology (GS. Ghurye).
- Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
- Marxist sociology (A R Desai).
Impact of colonial rule on Indian society
- The social background of Indian nationalism.
- Modernization of Indian tradition.
- Protests and movements during the colonial period.
- Social reforms.
2. Social Structure
Rural and Agrarian Social Structure
- The idea of Indian village and village studies.
- Agrarian social structure – Evolution of land tenure system, land reforms.
Caste System
- Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
- Features of the caste system.
- Untouchability – forms and perspectives.
Tribal communities in India
- Definitional problems.
- Geographical spread.
- Colonial policies and tribes.
- Issues of integration and autonomy.
Social Classes in India
- Agrarian class structure.
- Industrial class structure.
- Middle classes in India.
Systems of Kinship in India
- Lineage and descent in India.
- Types of kinship systems.
- Family and marriage in India.
- Household dimensions of the family.
Religion and Society
- Religious communities in India.
- Problems of religious minorities.
- Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour
3. Social Changes in India
Visions of Social Change in India
- The idea of development planning and mixed economy.
- Constitution, law, and social change.
- Education and social change.
Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India
- Programs of rural development, Community Development Programmes, cooperatives, and poverty alleviation schemes.
- Green revolution and social change.
- Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
- Problems of rural labor, bondage, migration.
Industrialization and Urbanisation in India
- Evolution of modern industry in India.
- Growth of urban settlements in India.
- Working-class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
- The informal sector, child labor.
- Slums and deprivation in urban areas.
Politics and Society
- Nation, democracy and citizenship.
- Political parties, pressure groups, social and political elite.
- Regionalism and decentralization of power.
- Secularization
Social Movements in Modern India
- Peasants and farmers movements.
- Women’s movement.
- Backward classes & Dalit movement.
- Environmental movements.
- Ethnicity and Identity movements.
Population Dynamics
- Population size, growth, composition and distribution.
- Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
- Population policy and family planning.
- Emerging issues: aging, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.
Challenges of Social Transformation
- Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems, and sustainability.
- Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
- Violence against women.
- Caste conflicts.
- Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
- Illiteracy and disparities in education.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Question: What is the significance of studying the “Family, Marriage, and Kinship” topics in the Sociology optional syllabus for UPSC?
Answer: The study of “Family, Marriage, and Kinship” is crucial in sociology as it provides insights into the foundational social institutions that shape human societies. Understanding family structures, marriage patterns, and kinship systems is essential for comprehending social dynamics, cultural variations, and the functioning of societies. It enables candidates to analyze the role of these institutions in perpetuating social norms, gender roles, and the transmission of cultural values across generations.
2. Question: How does the “Social Change and Development in India” segment of the UPSC Sociology optional syllabus contribute to the overall understanding of Indian society?
Answer: The “Social Change and Development in India” segment offers a comprehensive view of the societal transformations that have occurred in India over time. It covers aspects such as economic development, urbanization, social movements, and globalization. By studying this section, candidates gain insights into the challenges and opportunities that have shaped India’s social fabric. It helps them analyze the impact of modernization, industrialization, and globalization on various social groups, facilitating a nuanced understanding of contemporary Indian society.
3. Question: Why is the study of “Political Processes and Social Movements” important in the context of the UPSC Sociology optional syllabus?
Answer: The section on “Political Processes and Social Movements” is vital as it delves into the relationship between political structures and social change. It enables candidates to comprehend how social movements emerge, evolve, and influence political processes. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for analyzing the role of civil society, activism, and collective action in shaping public discourse and policy outcomes. It also provides a framework for assessing the impact of political institutions on social inequalities, justice, and the overall development of societies.
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