Sociology Optional · PYQ solutions
Sociology Optional PYQ Solutions, topic-wise
Four decades of Sociology Optional questions (1980–2026) solved and filed by syllabus topic, not by year, so you can see how UPSC frames each theme across decades. Thinker citations, examiner insights and model structures in every answer.
1,500+
Solved PYQs
1980–2026
Years covered
Paper I + II
Both papers covered
Topic-wise
Not year-wise
Jump to a unit — Paper I · Fundamentals of Sociology
Sociology: The Discipline Sociology as a Science Research Methods and Analysis Sociological Thinkers Stratification and Mobility Works and Economic Life Politics and Society Religion and Society Systems of Kinship Social Movements Social Change in Modern Society Education System and Social Change Science, Technology and Social Change
Jump to a unit — Paper II · Indian Society: Structure and Change
Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society Impact of Colonial Rule on Indian Society Rural and Agrarian Social Structure Caste System Tribal Communities in India Social Classes in India Systems of Kinship in India Religion and Society in India Visions of Social Change in India Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India Industrialization and Urbanisation in India Politics and Society in India Social Movements in Modern India Population Dynamics Challenges of Social Transformation
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Recent Sociology Optional solutions.
New answers are added through the year. The latest nine are here; every unit below, across both papers, lists its full set.
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Paper I · Fundamentals of Sociology
Sociology: The Discipline, Sociology as a Science, Research Methods and Analysis, Sociological Thinkers, Stratification and Mobility, Works and Economic Life, Politics and Society, Religion and Society, Systems of Kinship, Social Change in Modern Society.
Unit 01
Sociology: The Discipline
PYQ Solutions
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Although sociology, as a subject of study, overarches all disciplines in social sciences yet it maintains its distinctiveness. Comment.
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Discuss the intellectual origins of sociology and the historical antecedents of its evolution as a distinct field of study.
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In what way is the scope of sociology unique? Explain.
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What is the relationship (similarities and differences) between sociology and history in terms of their area of study and methodology? Discuss.
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What is common sense? How are common knowledge and sociology related to each other? Explain.
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Discuss the nature of sociology. Highlight its relationship with social anthropology.
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Sociology is the product of European enlightenment and renaissance. Critically examine this statement.
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Do you think that common sense is the starting point of social research? What are its advantages and limitations? Explain.
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Delimit the scope of Sociology in relation to other social sciences.
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What aspects of Enlightenment do you think paved way for the emergence of sociology? Elaborate.
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How is Sociology related to common sense?
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From the viewpoint of growing importance of multidisciplinary, how do you relate sociology to other social sciences?
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In the Context of globalization, has the scope of Sociology been changing in India? Comment
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How did the Intellectual forces lead to the emergence of Sociology? Discuss
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Discuss the historical antecedents of the emergence of Sociology as a discipline.
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“The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relationship between the two in a society.” – C.W.Mills. Explain.
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The focal point of sociology rests on interaction. How do you distinguish it from common sense?
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Discuss the changing equations of discipline of sociology with other social sciences.
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Explain how sociology has emerged as a distinct discipline based on rationality and scientific temper.
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Is sociology common sense? Give reasons in support of your argument.
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“Sociology is pre-eminently study of modern societies.” Discuss.
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How had enlightenment contributed to the emergence of Sociology?
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How is sociological approach to human actions different from that of psychological approach?
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How did the emergence of industrial society change the family life in Western Europe?
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Compare and contrast Sociology with Anthropology.
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“Sociology emerged in Europe and flourished to begin with on social reformist orientation in the U.S.A.” – Comment.
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How did the French revolution and Industrial revolution play an important role in the emergence of Sociology?
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What can Sociology show us about our actions? Discuss the practical significance of Sociology
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Write short note on Emergence of Sociology is an outcome of modernity and social change in Europe, keeping sociological perspective in view
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“Sociology without History is rootless and History without Sociology is fruitless.” Elaborate
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Write short note on Comparison between Sociology and Economics
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How is emergence of sociology linked with modernization of Europe
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Short note: Intellectual background for the emergence of sociology.
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Write short note: Sociology and its relationship with economics and political science
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Write short note: Sociology as an interpretative discipline.
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Write short note: Sociology and social anthropology.
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Write short note: Sociology as a by-product of Industrial Revolution.
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Write short note: Intellectual sources for the rise of Sociology.
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Write short note: Ideology and the emergence of sociology.
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Had the French Revolution anything to do with the emergency of Sociology in Europe? Make a critical study.
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Explain the basic premises of the anti-positivist attack on sociology. Do you agree with these? Substantiate your answer.
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Do you agree with the view that sociology can never be a science? What limitations need to be taken into consideration in the scientific study of social phenomena?
Unit 02
Sociology as a Science
PYQ Solutions
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‘Data without theory is blind and theory without data is empty.’ Comment.
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‘The methods of sociology are inadequate in understanding the complex social phenomena.’ Discuss.
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Is ‘interpretativism’ more effective than ‘positivism’ in analysing social reality? Discuss.
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The major challenge for sociology researchers is to analyse social reality objectively. Critically analyse.
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How does Weber’s Verstehen address the objectivity-subjectivity debate in sociology?
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What is science? Do you think that the methods used in natural sciences can be applied to sociology? Give reasons for your answer.
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What is positivism? Critically analyze the major arguments against it.
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Do you think ‘objectivity’ is an over-hyped idea in sociological research? Discuss the merits and demerits of non-positivist methods.
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What are the characteristics of scientific method? Do you think that scientific method in conducting sociological research is foolproof? Elaborate.
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Examine the relevance of corporate social responsibility in a world marked by increasing environmental crises.
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What are the shortfalls of positivist philosophy that gave rise to the non-positivist methods of studying social reality?
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How does a researcher achieve objectivity in interpretative research?
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How far are sociologists justified in using positivist approach to understand social reality? Explain with suitable illustrations.
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Do you think ethnomethodology helps us in getting reliable and valid data? Justify your answer.
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Is Sociology a Value-free Science? Discuss.
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Phenomenological perspectives in Sociology reject many of the assumption of positivism, Comment.
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Methodology is a system of rules, Principles and procedures, which forms scientific investigation. Comment.
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Explain with examples, the explanatory and exploratory designs of social research
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Does scientific method make Sociology a science? Illustrate your answer with Durkheim’s method.
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Is non-positivistic methodology scientific? Illustrate
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Elaborate the main tenets of interpretative perspective in sociology
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Examine the basic postulates of positivism and post-positivism.
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Examine ethnomethodological and phenomenological perspectives as critique of positivism
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Describe the basic postulates of scientific method. How far are these followed in sociological research?
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What is ‘value-free sociology’? Clarify
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“Non-positivistic methodology is essential for understanding human behaviour.” Discuss.
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Discuss the relevance of historical method in the study of society
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Is Sociology a Science? Give reasons for your answer?
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In what way ‘interpretative’ method is different from ‘positivist’ approach in the study of social phenomena?
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Write short answer of the following in about 150 words: How is objectivity different from value neutrality? Discuss with reference to Weber’s views on methodology.
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Critically examine positivistic approach in sociological studies. (150 words)
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Write short note on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view : Fact Value and Objectivity
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Write short note on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view : Interpretative Sociology.
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Write short note on Fact and Value, keeni,, sociological perspective in view. In about 150 words.
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Write short note on Serendipity.
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Write short note on Problems of objectivity in sociological research
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Comment on the reasons why neo-idealists and symbolic interactionists are critical of ‘positivism’ in Sociology
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Write short note : Role of values in sociological enquiry
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Write short note : Sociology as a science of society.
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Write short note : Social research design.
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Objectivity and Value Neutrality in Social Research.
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Highlight the problem of objectivity and value neutrality in Social Research. Elaborate, with suitable examples, the limitations associated with the tools of measurement in Social Science Research.
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Write short note : Sociology as a science.
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Write short note : Theory and Fact.
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Write short note : Problem of objectivity in social research.
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Write short note : Value neutrality in social science
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Is it possible to study social phenomenon scientifically? Give a critical answer.
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Write short note : A good hypothesis
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Write short note : Value – free sociology
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Write short note : Methods of science and sociology
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Write short note : Comparative method in Sociology.
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Write short note : Significance of objectivity in sociological research.
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Write short note : Design of sociological research.
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Write short note : The problem of objectivity
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Write short note : Methods of scientific investigation
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Discuss the nature and character of voluntary associations. What is their importance in developing societies ?
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Write short note : Bearing of research on theory
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Write short note : The problem of objectivity in Sociology.
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Write short note : Sociology as a science of society.
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Write short note : Research Design
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Write short note : Rapport and objectivity in social science research.
Unit 03
Research Methods and Analysis
PYQ Solutions
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Compare and critically assess ‘the grounded theory’ with ‘theory-driven research method’ in sociology.
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Discuss the significance and limitations of ‘intersectionality’ in social research.
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What is sampling in the context of social research? Discuss different forms of sampling with their relative advantages and disadvantages.
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What is hypothesis? Critically evaluate the significance of the hypothesis in social research.
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What do you mean by reliability? Discuss the importance of reliability in social science research.
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What is a variable in social research? What are their different types? Elaborate.
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How do you view and assess the increasing trend of digital ethnography and use of visual culture in sociological research?
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What do you understand be ‘Mixed method’? Discuss its strengths and limitations in Social research.
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How does the dramaturgical perspective enable our understanding of everyday life?
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What are variables? How do they facilitate research?
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What are the ethical issues that a researcher faces in making use of participant observation as a method of collecting data? Explain.
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What 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.
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What is reliability? Explain the different tests available to social science researchers to establish reliability.
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Suggest measures to minimize the influence of the researcher in the process of collecting data through focus group discussion.
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Explain the different types of non-probability sampling techniques. Bring out the conditions of their usage with appropriate examples.
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The difference between information and data in social science is subtle. Comment.
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What is the distinctiveness of the feminist method of Social research Comment.
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How do qualitative and quantitative methods supplement each other in sociological enquiry?
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Discuss the challenges involved in collecting data through census method.
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Discuss the importance and source of hypothesis in social research.
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Analyse the strengths and weakness of social survey method in social research.
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Bring out the significance of Ethnography in social research.
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Explain the probability sampling strategies with examples.
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Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection with suitable examples from Indian society.
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How can one resolve the issue of reliability and validity in the context of sociological research on inequality?
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Examine epistemological foundations of qualitative methods of social research.
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Illustrate with example the significance of variables in sociological research.
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“Participant observation is the most effective tool for collecting facts.” Comment.
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“Hypothesis is a statement of the relationship between two or more variables.” Elucidate by giving examples of poverty and illiteracy.
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Analyze the importance of qualitative method in social research.
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Why is random sampling said to have more reliability and validity in research?
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Examine the problems of maintaining objectivity and value neutrality in Social Science research?
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What are variables? Discuss their role in experimental research.
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Which research technique would be most suitable for the study of consumer behaviour and its social correlates? Explain.
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Write short answer of the following in about 150 words: In what way biographies could be used to study social life?
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Analyse the limitations of quantitative methods in social research.
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Differentiate between the qualitative and quantitative methods in Research.
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Write short note on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view: Comparative method.
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What is subjective method in social research? Examine Focus Group Discussion (FGD) as a technique for data collection, with suitable examples.
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Write short note on Reliability and Validity, keeping sociological perspective in view.
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Write short note on Nomothetic and Idiographic Methods.
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Write short note on Content Analysis.
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Distinguish between probability and nonprobability sampling methods. How many types of sampling designs are there?
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What is the importance of sampling in sociological studies? Distinguish between simple random sampling and stratified random sampling.
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Write short note: Importance and sources of hypotheses in social research.
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Utility of Reliability and Validity in Social Research.
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What are the uses of Bogardus’ social distance scale and of Likert scale? Discuss.
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Short note : Limitations of questionnaire as a technique of data collection.
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Write short note : Reliability of a sample.
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Write short note : Participant observation.
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Write short note : Measurement of Attitudes.
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Write short note : Experimental design.
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Write short note : Techniques of Data Collection.
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Write short note : Techniques employed in measuring attitudes.
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Write short note : Interview as a method of social research.
Unit 04
Sociological Thinkers
PYQ Solutions
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How does Emile Durkheim conceptualize religion as a ‘social fact’? Explain.
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How does Max Weber’s ‘theory of authority’ shape bureaucracy? Analyse.
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Critically analyse the mode of production debate from different perspectives.
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Explain the concept of ‘definition of the situation’ and its significance in sociology.
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Describe the impact of capitalist mode of production on society.
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According to Weber how do class, status and power interact to produce and sustain social inequality?
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How do theories of Marx, Weber and Durkheim differ in understanding religion? Explain.
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Can Merton’s reference group theory be relevant in understanding ‘identity making’ in digital world? Explain.
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Highlight the main features of historical materialism as propounded by Marx. How far is this theory relevant in understanding contemporary societies? Explain.
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Does the structural-functionalist perspective on social stratification promote a status quo? Give reasons for your answer.
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How does Weber’s Verstehen address the objectivity-subjectivity debate in sociology?
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Describe various characteristics of a ‘social fact’. How is rate of suicide a social fact according to Durkheim?
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Describe the main idea of Max Weber’s book, ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’ as a critique of Marxism.
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Explain G.H. Mead’s idea of development of ‘self’ through the ‘generalised other’.
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Critically explain the salient features of ‘alienation’ as propounded by Karl Marx.
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Is reference group theory a universally applicable model? Elucidate.
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Durkheim argued that society is more than the sum of individual acts. Discuss.
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Critically analyse Parsons’ views on society as a social system.
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According to Mead the idea of self develops when the individual becomes self-conscious. Explain.
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Critically examine the relevance of Durkheim’s views on religion in contemporary society.
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Critically examine how Durkheim and Merton explicate Anomie.
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With suitable examples, explain how conformity and deviance coexist in a society as propounded by R. K. Merton.
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Explain whether Durkheim’s theory of Division of Labour is relevant in the present-day context.
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Critically examine the dialectics involved in each mode of production as propounded by Karl Marx.
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Do you agree with Max Weber’s idea that bureaucracy has the potential to become an iron cage? Justify your answer.
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What are the problems in observing social facts in Durkheim’s views?
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Analyse the relevance of ‘Pattern Variables’ in the study of social change.
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What are the reactions of R. K. Merton to the functionalism of social anthropologists? Bring out the limitations of latent functions.
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‘Ideal Types’ of Max Weber are mental constructs; they do not correspond to the reality. Give your views.
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Critically analyse Durkheim’s views on elementary forms of religious life and role of religion. Also discuss the consequences of religious revivalism in contemporary society.
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What, according to Merton, is the difference between ‘unanticipated consequences’ and ‘latent functions’? Give examples to elaborate.
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How well do you think Tönnies, Durkheim, Weber and Marx predicted the character of modern society? Critique.
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How, according to Merton, are deviant subcultures generated?
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According to Mead, “We play a key role in our own socialisation.” Explain.
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Discuss the importance of interpretative understanding of social phenomena and explain its limitations.
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What is the Marxist concept of ‘Fetishism of Commodities’?
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In what way did Durkheim perceive religion as functional to society?
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Do you think ‘I’ and ‘Me’ are central terms in Mead’s work?
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Distinguish between fact and value in Weber’s Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism.
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Explain Durkheim’s basic arguments on suicide. Can you analyse high suicide rates of contemporary Indian society with Durkheim’s theory?
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What is the difference between the anomie in Merton and Durkheim? Explain.
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According to Marx, how are human beings alienated from their human potential and what does he suggest to change this?
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How can Parsons’ AGIL framework be used to analyse key problems in a society? Discuss.
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Critically analyse Talcott Parsons’ conception of ‘Pattern Variables’.
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Analyse Marxian conception of historical materialism as a critique of Hegelian dialectics.
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Discuss distinct sociological method adopted by Emile Durkheim in his study of ‘suicide’.
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Examine Max Weber’s method of maintaining objectivity in social research.
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Describe the functional prerequisites of social system as given by Talcott Parsons. Examine in the context of a university as a social system.
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Evaluate Marx’s ideas on mode of production.
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Analyse the manifest and latent functions of ‘security of the tenure of the bureaucrats’ in the light of Merton’s theory.
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Which concepts did Weber use to analyse the forms of legitimate domination?
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“Self and Society are twin-born.” Examine the statement of Mead.
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How is social equilibrium maintained in Parsonian framework?
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Elaborate the views of Durkheim on ‘The Elementary Forms of Religious Life’.
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Discuss the role of Calvinist ethic in the development of Capitalism.
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“Anomie is rooted in social structure.” Explain with reference to R. K. Merton’s contribution.
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“According to Durkheim, the essence of religion in modern society is the same as religion in primitive society.” Comment.
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How can we use reference group theory to understand fashion in society?
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How could one use Merton’s concept of deviance to understand the traffic problem in urban India?
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Using Mead’s theory of symbolic interactionism, discuss the stages in the formation of gender identity.
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Using Merton’s concepts of ‘manifest’ and ‘latent’ functions, explain the persistence of corruption in Indian society.
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How does Weber use the notion of ‘ideal types’ in his theory of bureaucracy?
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According to Marx, capitalism transforms even the personal relationships between men and women. Critically examine with illustrations from the contemporary Indian context.
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Identify the similarities and differences between Marx’s theory of ‘alienation’ and Durkheim’s theory of ‘anomie’.
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Examine the salient features of Weberian bureaucracy.
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Examine the relevance of Parsonian Social System in the present society.
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Critically analyse the contributions of G. H. Mead to ‘symbolic interactionism’.
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Compare Karl Marx with Emile Durkheim with reference to the framework of ‘division of labour’.
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Analyse the salient features of historical materialism.
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Sometimes workers do not feel attachment for their work. Marx formed a theory for this situation, discuss that theory.
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Explain how Weber’s characterisation of capitalism is different from those of Marx.
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Write short note on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view: Universalism vs. Particularism.
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Show how Durkheim through the study of totemism demonstrates the reality of religion.
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‘Social fact is to be treated as a thing.’ Discuss.
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Write short note: Sacred and Profane.
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‘Power and authority go together.’ Examine. Explain the various types of authority also.
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In Marxian classification of Society, feudal and slave societies are very important. How are they different from each other?
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Give conceptual meaning of social system. What is cognitive consonance between ‘pattern variables’ and ‘paradigm’?
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Write short note on The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, keeping sociological perspective in view.
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Define Ideal Type and explain Weber’s concept of ‘Verstehen’ for understanding social phenomena.
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Write short note on Cybernetic Hierarchy of Control.
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Examine Karl Marx’s views on ‘class-in-itself’ and ‘class-for-itself’ with reference to proletarians.
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What, according to Max Weber, is the role of “particular religious ideas” in the emergence of modern capitalism?
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Write short note on Talcott Parsons’ idea of ‘moving equilibrium’.
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To Robert Merton, deviant behaviour is a result of anomie. Analyse his sociological theory of deviant behaviour, with special reference to his formulation of types of deviance.
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Comment on the responses of the functionalist school to Karl Marx’s views on social change.
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Write short note: Subject-matter of Sociology, according to Emile Durkheim.
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Write short note: Relevance of pattern variables in the study of social change.
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What is Merton’s view of relationship between social structure and deviance? In what sense is a deviant also a conformist?
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Write short note: Mead’s notion of self.
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Using Max Weber’s theory, discuss what ethical and religious ideas produced capitalism in certain societies and how?
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What is the subject-matter of Sociology according to Max Weber? Which major methods did he suggest for social science research? Illustrate your answer with his sociological contributions.
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Write short note: Social facts.
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Write short note: Talcott Parsons’ concept of social system.
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Write short note: Robert Merton’s views on manifest and latent functions.
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Elaborate Emile Durkheim’s analysis of the Elementary Forms of Religious Life and role of religion in society. How does he explain existence of religion in modern industrial societies?
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Explain Karl Marx’s analysis of capitalistic mode of production and class-struggle. What are the intellectual reactions to his views?
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Explain Karl Marx’s ‘theory of social change’. What are the reactions of functionalists to his views?
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What according to Emile Durkheim is the nature of relationship between the individual and society? Explain this with the help of his analysis of division of labour in society.
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Write short note: Concept of ideal type and its limitations.
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Discuss Max Weber’s ideal types and the role of authority in bureaucracy.
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Write short note: Class struggle as conceived by Karl Marx.
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Write short note: Social determinants of economic development.
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Give a critical review of Emile Durkheim’s theory on religion and society. To what extent does it explain the contemporary scenario in Asia?
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Analyse socio-cultural consequences of corruption and suggest remedial measures for curbing it.
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Write short note: Social system and the Pattern Variables.
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Critically examine Max Weber’s theory of the Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Could it be the otherwise possibility that the tenets of capitalism must also have affected the emergence of the Protestant ethic? Comment with suitable examples.
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Write short note: Primary and reference groups.
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Write short note: Class-in-itself and class-for-itself.
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Critically analyse the concept of anomie. Elaborate, with suitable examples, the theoretical relationship between nature of anomie and types of social deviations as have been formulated by R. K. Merton.
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Critically examine Weber’s theory of Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism.
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Examine the nature of social facts as understood by Durkheim.
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State the meaning and characteristics of an ideal type. What, according to Max Weber, is the use and significance of the ‘ideal type’ in social science research?
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What is the focus of sociological analysis in the contributions of Emile Durkheim? Give your answer with the help of any one of his contributions.
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Explain Karl Marx’s conception of class antagonism. How have the functionalists reacted to his views?
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How does social structure produce a strain toward anomie and deviant behaviour? Examine it with reference to Robert K. Merton’s contribution to this field of study.
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Write short note: Relative deprivation.
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Emile Durkheim had argued that the function of division of labour in society is that of the promotion of social solidarity. Elaborate the statement and analyze the distinction between two forms of solidarity discussed by him.
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Write short note: Alienation.
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Write short note: Social structure and anomie.
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“Not all facts about human behavior are necessarily social facts.” State the meaning of ‘social facts’ and the methods of studying them with reference to this statement.
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Write short note: Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft types of communities.
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Write short note: Functional problems of the social system.
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Write short note: Division of labour and the differentiation of social structure.
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“It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but on the contrary it is their social being that determines their consciousness.” Examine Karl Marx’s notion of mode of production in the light of this statement.
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Write short note: Pattern variables.
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Critically examine Max Weber’s theory of social action and its limitations.
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Explain the concept of social change. Critically examine the contribution of Karl Marx’s theory of social change.
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Discuss Talcott Parsons’ contribution to the analysis of social system.
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Write short note: Anomie.
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Discuss Talcott Parsons’ contribution to the analysis of social change.
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Write short note: Mode of production.
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Write short note: The idea of functional indispensability.
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Explain the origin and characteristics of bureaucracy according to Max Weber. Illustrate the structural sources of dysfunctions of bureaucracy.
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“Subjective perception of the objective reality prepares the context for the articulation of class antagonism.” Evaluate this statement with reference to Karl Marx’s contribution.
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Write short note: Middle-range theories.
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Bring out the strength and the weakness of Robert Merton’s advancement over the classical functionalism.
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Critically examine the role of formal and informal structures of bureaucracy in economic and social reconstruction of the developing societies.
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Critically examine Karl Marx’s theory of alienation.
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Write short note: Pathological form of division of labour.
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State Talcott Parsons’ contribution to theory of social action. What are the limitations of this theory?
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Write short note: Organic analogy.
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In modern structural-functionalism, Merton’s effort to develop a “Paradigm” for functional analysis is the most significant one. Evaluate this statement.
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What did Max Weber mean by interpretative understanding? Why did he believe that to model sociological researches exclusively on strategies and ambitions of natural sciences was a serious mistake?
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Write short note: Ideal types.
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Write short note: Authority.
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Write short note: Methods of Sociology according to Max Weber.
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Explain Karl Marx’s theory of social stratification. On what grounds functionalists refute it?
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Describe the functional analysis of religion given by Durkheim. Is this analysis applicable to the modern industrialized societies?
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Write short note: Concept of functional alternatives.
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Critically examine AGIL model of Talcott Parsons. How far is this model capable of explaining social changes in society?
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Write short note: Parsons’ idea of equilibrium.
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Critically bring out the differences in the approaches of Karl Marx and Max Weber to the study of class structure in industrial capitalist society.
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What are the basic questions which inspired Durkheim to study the division of labour in society? Critically comment on his conclusions.
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Write short note: Concept of social structure.
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Write short note: Protestant Ethic.
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How does Parsons defend the nuclear family in promoting industrialisation? Is his thesis universally valid?
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What is the importance of Merton’s ‘Middle Range Theory’ in sociology? Discuss critically.
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‘Why does the individual, while becoming more autonomous, depend more upon society?’ (Durkheim). How has the author tried to answer this question?
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‘The history of the hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggle.’ Critically comment on this Marxian thesis.
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Talcott Parsons’ theory of social system has been criticised as a veiled status quoist ideology. Critically examine how valid and justified is this criticism.
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What does R. K. Merton mean when he admits that not everything works out for the best of everyone in society? What is his improvement on functional theory?
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How does Marx’s treatment of alienation differ from that of other sociologists?
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Write short note: Conformity and deviance.
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What does Weber mean by ideal types? How is the concept relevant in sociology?
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Is the Durkheimian concept of religion entirely different from that of his predecessors? Why and how?
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In what respects do you think Weber’s conception of sociology differs from that of Durkheim? Which one of the two is more satisfactory? Substantiate your answer.
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Attempt a comparative analysis of the Weberian and Marxian theories of social change. Which do you think is more relevant to the Indian society at present? Give reasons for your answer.
-
Discuss the relation between social structure and anomie as presented by R. K. Merton. Attempt a critical appraisal of this analysis.
-
Do you agree with Max Weber that the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism are correlated? What are the alternative theories suggested by other academics?
-
Do you think that in T. Parsons there has been a ‘transition from the analysis of the structure of social action as such to the structural-functional analysis of social systems’? Discuss in detail.
-
Do you accept that Marxism offers a prefabricated theory of social change? Discuss critically.
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Write short note: Collective representations.
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What is ‘social action’? What is its place in the analytical frameworks of Max Weber and Talcott Parsons?
-
Critically assess R. K. Merton’s views on the contributions of research to the development of sociological theory.
-
Write short note: Historical materialism.
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Discuss Durkheim’s concept of Division of Labour. In what way does it differ from that of classical and neoclassical economists?
-
How is Marxism relevant to developing nations? Will it be able to establish classless societies?
-
Discuss the contributions of Durkheim to sociology. How far did his methodology influence sociological traditions?
-
Discuss Marx’s concept of class. Is class struggle inevitable for the elimination of inequalities and exploitation in the third world societies?
-
Write short note: Ideal types and social analysis.
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Write short note: Alienation in developing societies.
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Analyse Marxian theory of social change. Is it useful to comprehend the changes in the developing societies?
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Write short note: Alienation in modern society.
Unit 05
Stratification and Mobility
PYQ Solutions
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According to Weber how do class, status and power interact to produce and sustain social inequality?
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Differentiate between social hierarchy and social exclusion and substantiate your answer with reference to the caste system.
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In what ways do class and caste intersect and overlap in shaping social structure?
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Is the social stratification theory gender-blind? Elucidate.
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Does the structural-functionalist perspective on social stratification promote a status quo? Give reasons for your answer.
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Compare the capability deprivation approach with that of social capital deprivation in understanding chronic poverty.
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Discuss the dimensions of power in the construction and maintenance of social hierarchies in a society.
-
Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group.
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What is social mobility? Critically examine the classification of ‘closed’ and ‘open’ models of social stratification.
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How is poverty a form of social exclusion? Illustrate in this connection the different dimensions of poverty and social exclusion.
-
Explain Max Weber’s theory of social stratification. How does Weber’s idea of class differ from that of Marx?
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Do you think that the boundary line between ethnicity and race is blurred? Justify your answer.
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How do sociologists construct gender in their analysis on social inequality?
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Social stratification is claimed to contribute to the maintenance of social order and stability in society. Critically assess.
-
Discuss social mobility in open and closed system.
-
Critically examine Max Weber’s theory of Social Stratification.
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Explain the growing salience of ethnicity in the contemporary world with illustrations.
-
Explain the concept of social mobility. Describe with suitable illustrations how education and social mobility are related to each other.
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How are Hierarchy and Exclusion the major impediments in the transformation of societies? Discuss.
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Critically assess social mobility in closed and open systems.
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What is affirmative action? Substantiate theoretical positions on affirmative actions with examples.
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Davis and Moore made it clear that social stratification is a functional necessity and also an unconscious device. Discuss.
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Compare and contrast the contributions of Marx and Weber on social stratification in capitalist society.
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Modernisation presupposes class society; however, caste, ethnicity and race are still predominant. Explain.
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Present a sociological review on the ‘new middle class’.
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Differentiate between ‘Life-chances’ and ‘Life-style’ with suitable examples.
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Why is gender a dimension of social stratification? How does gender intersect other dimensions of inequality based on caste, class, race and ethnicity?
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What is the difference between natural and social inequality? Give examples from caste and class dimensions.
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Evaluate if social stratification is functional for society.
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Is social mobility possible in closed systems of stratification? Illustrate from research work.
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Can we equate ‘poverty’ with ‘poor living’? Elaborate your answer.
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What is Weberian critique of Marxist notion of social stratification?
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Examine gender, ethnicity and race as major dimensions of social stratification.
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“Vertical mobility brings structural change even in a closed social system.” Comment.
-
Elucidate the basic premises of Davis’ structural-functional theory of social stratification. How far is it relevant in understanding contemporary Indian society?
-
Discuss the relationship between poverty and social exclusion.
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“No society can either be absolutely open or absolutely closed.” Comment.
-
Differentiate between Marxian and Weberian theories of Social Stratification?
-
What do you understand by gender? How does it shape ‘male identity’?
-
“According to Max Weber, ‘class’ and ‘status’ are two different dimensions of power.” Discuss.
-
For Marx, class divisions are outcomes of ‘exploitation’. Discuss.
-
Critically examine the functionalist tradition in Sociology.
-
How are open and closed systems of stratification undergoing transformation in the emergence of new hierarchical social order in societies?
-
Distinguish between people being socially excluded and people excluding themselves socially in societies.
-
Analyse the gender bias in the present society with examples.
-
Write short note on the following from a sociological perspective: Stratification of class.
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In our society Hierarchical relations are influenced by social mobility. Explain how?
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Write short note on The problem of Gender.
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What is Class? Do you think that Weber’s contributions to social stratification are different from that of Marx?
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What do you mean by social mobility? Discuss the major sources and causes of mobility?
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Write short note on Ethnicity and Development.
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What are the reasons for calling Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore’s theory of social stratification a functional theory?
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How does hierarchy get built into the systems of natural and social inequalities?
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Write short note: Role-conflict and its resolution.
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Write short note: Caste-system as a principle of social stratification.
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Write short note: Vertical social mobility.
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How is vertical and horizontal social mobility problematic in society? Suggest solutions.
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‘Socialisation and social control are complementary to each other in maintaining social order.’ – Elucidate your answer with appropriate illustrations.
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Write short note: Class within Caste and Caste within Class.
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Briefly discuss the Conflict Perspective on social stratification and examine the view that social inequality in India is the function of rigid social stratification system.
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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?
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Explain Melvin Tumin’s critique related to the theory of social stratification.
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Write short note: Social Mobility and social change.
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Write short note: Inter-generational mobility.
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Write short note: Role conflict.
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Discuss the nature and characteristics of social mobility. Can the nature and the rate of social mobility be treated as an index of economic development? Comment.
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How would you distinguish between the stratified and the unstratified social positions? What explanation would you prefer for the universal existence of the social stratification in human society?
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Write short note: Role conflict as a source of deviation.
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Analyze critically the functional theory of social stratification.
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Write short note: Caste as a class.
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Write short note: Vertical and horizontal mobility.
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Write short note: Types of mobility.
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Write short note: Social class and social status.
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Write short note: Social class and vertical mobility.
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‘Social inequality is the device by which societies ensure that the most important positions are filled by the most qualified persons.’ Explain this view point and state the grounds on which it is refuted.
-
Elaborate the concepts of ‘status-consistency’ and ‘status-inconsistency’. State the factors responsible for ‘status-inconsistency’ in modern societies.
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Write short note: Functional theory of stratification.
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Write short note: Status inconsistency.
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Write short note: Intergenerational mobility in a caste society.
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Write short note: Social Mobility.
Unit 06
Works and Economic Life
PYQ Solutions
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Critically analyse the mode of production debate from different perspectives.
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Describe the impact of capitalist mode of production on society.
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Critically examine the position of women in the informal economy.
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Evaluate the socio-economic impacts of migration on rural households.
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Compare the social organisation of work in industrial capitalism and platform capitalism.
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Critically analyze the sociological significance of informal sector in the economy of developing societies.
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What do you understand by gender-based domestic division of labour? Is it undergoing a change in the wake of increasing participation of women in formal employment? Clarify your answer with illustrations.
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Do you think that the formal workspaces are free of gender bias? Argue your case.
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Define the concept of ‘gig’ economy and discuss its impact on labour market and workers’ social security net.
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Describe the differing principles of work organization in feudal and capitalist societies.
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Explain how economic globalization has brought changes in the patterns of employment in the 21st century.
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What characterizes degradation of work in capitalist society according to Marx?
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Explain the implications of feminization of work in the developing societies.
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How has the idea of ‘Work from Home’ forced us to redefine the formal and informal organization of work?
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Explain how political parties and pressure groups are dialectically related to each other in terms of achieving their goals.
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Elucidate the main problems and challenges faced by the migrant labourers in the recent ‘Lockdown period’.
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Explain the emerging challenges in establishing gender equality in the informal sector.
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Discuss the new labour codes and their impact on formal and informal labour in India.
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Capitalism has brought increasing informalisation of work in society. Substantiate your answer.
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What is ‘reserve army of labour’? Present the position of feminist scholars on this.
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What is ‘informal labour’? Discuss the need for and challenges in regulating informal labour in the post-industrial society.
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Discuss the nature of social organisation of work in capitalist society with reference to the ‘Limits of the working day’.
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What is labour commitment? Discuss it with reference to studies of manufacturing industry.
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What do you understand by ‘informalisation of labour’? Write your answer with special reference to India.
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Trace the changing nature of organisation of work in capitalist society over the years.
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Describe the nature of social organization of work in industrial society.
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“Globalization has pushed the labour into informal organization of work.” Substantiate your answer with suitable examples.
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Distinguish between the social organization of work in feudal society and in capitalist society.
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The increasing importance of the tertiary sector has weakened the formal organization of work in recent times. Examine the statement.
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What are the distinctive features of social organization of work in slave society? How is it different from feudal society?
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Examine the social impact of globalization on labour and society.
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Write short note on the following from a sociological perspective: Industrial Democracy.
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How do formal and informal organisation of work influence labour’s mobility? Explain with examples.
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Write short note on Self-Help Group (SHG) as an informal organization from a sociological perspective (in about 150 words).
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What is formal organization? “The growth of bureaucracy has resulted in extreme concentration of power at larger levels of social organization.” Discuss.
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“Work in capitalism is reduced to mere labour in which the individual does not develop freely his physical and mental energy and mortifies his body and ruins his mind.” Critically evaluate the assertion.
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Analyse the social impact of market economy on traditional societies.
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Write short note on Human Relations School of Thought by Elton Mayo as a social organisation of work process in industry.
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Write short note on Feminisation of Labour in Informal Sector.
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Indicate social determinants of economic development. Discuss any one sociological perspective analysing backwardness and poverty in the developing societies.
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Write short note: Features of pre-industrial economic system.
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Write short note: Social determinants of economic development.
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Examine in detail the impact of new global economy on work organization and family structure in India.
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Write short note: Industrialisation and social change.
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Write short note: Types of exchange.
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Write short note: Emerging pattern of sex roles in modern society.
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Write short note: Social consequences of economic development.
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Write short note: Formal organisation.
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Write short note: Problems of nation-building in developing countries.
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Write short note: Social aspects of industrial economic system.
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Write short note: Changing concept of property.
Unit 07
Politics and Society
PYQ Solutions
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How does Max Weber’s ‘theory of authority’ shape bureaucracy? Analyse.
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Elaborate major sociological theories of power. How do power elite shape the political process in modern societies?
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How are the concepts of nation, state and citizenship interrelated in a democracy? Elaborate.
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Are pressure groups a threat to or a necessary element of democracy? Explain with suitable illustrations.
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What would you identify as the similarities and differences in the elite theories of Mosca, Michels and Pareto? Discuss their main/crucial issues.
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How do ‘Civil Society Organisations’ such as ‘NGOs’ and ‘Self-Help Groups’ contribute to grassroots-level social changes? Discuss.
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How is ‘power’ different from ‘authority’? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber.
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Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment.
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Underline the role of social media in contemporary social movements and describe its challenges.
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Is Weber’s idea of bureaucracy a product of the historical experiences of Europe? Comment.
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What, according to Robert Michels, is the iron law of oligarchy? Do lions and foxes in Vilfredo Pareto’s theory essentially differ from each other? Substantiate.
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How is civil society useful in deepening the roots of democracy?
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Do you think that the social media has brought significant changes in the forms of protest? Argue your case.
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Analyse the nature of transition from ideology to identity politics in India.
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Discuss how ‘environmentalism’ can be explained with new social movements approach.
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Illustrate with examples the role of pressure groups in the formulation of social policies.
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Highlight the roles and functions of civil society in a democratic system.
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Critically examine the relevance of Vilfredo Pareto’s theory of Circulation of Elites in the present scenario.
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According to Mills, “Elites rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms.” Comment.
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Explain democracy as an order of society. What are the factors preventing people’s participation in politics?
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What are the theoretical models of societal power? Which one of them is most applicable in advanced industrial societies?
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Discuss the concept of circulation of elite.
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What is civil society? Present a note on civil society engagement with science and technology policy in India.
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How is terrorism a new form of asymmetrical warfare? What are some of the challenges in trying to win the war on terrorism?
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What, according to Pareto, are the basic characteristics of elites? Discuss.
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Discuss the changing interface between state and civil society in post-independent India.
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Examine the dynamics of pressure groups in multi-party political system.
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Discuss the importance of ‘power elite’ in democracy.
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“Ideology is crucial for social transformation in a democracy.” Discuss.
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Explain the conditions under which a collective action transforms into a social movement.
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Caste ideology appears to have strengthened democracy. Comment.
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“Globalization involves deterritorialization.” Examine with reference to the nation-state.
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Discuss T. H. Marshall’s views on citizenship.
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Distinguish between Political Parties and Pressure Groups.
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“Power is not a zero-sum game”. Discuss with reference to Weber’s and Parsons’s views.
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Examine the role of pressure groups in parliamentary democracy.
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Evaluate how civil society and democracy mutually reinforce each other.
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Critically examine the role of civil society in democracy.
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Write short note on the following from a sociological perspective: Citizenship and Civil Society
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Are social movements always influenced by ideologies? Discuss.
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What do you understand by nation? Is the nation same as the state? Discuss.
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Write short note on Power Elite from a sociological perspective.
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Highlight prerequisites of social movement. Bring out the difference between social movement and revolution.
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“Collective action in politics can bring integration and disintegration in society.” Comment.
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Explain the concept of Participatory Democracy. What conditions are assumed to be conducive to participation?
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Write short note on Identity Politics.
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List the sources of power and explain the various indicators based on which power can be measured.
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Write short note: Social movement as an expression of protest.
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Explain the meaning and modes of political participation. What are the factors preventing people’s participation in politics in India?
-
Discuss modes of political participation and voting behaviour in India.
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Write short note: Power elite in society and the emergence of new elite in power structure
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Write short note: Authority and Legitimacy.
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Write short note: Bureaucracy in New Capitalist Economy.
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Write short note: Social Structure and Political Participation.
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Write short note: Community Power.
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Write short note: Informal structure of Bureaucracy.
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Write short note: Sources of legitimacy of power.
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Write short note: Role of pressure groups in democracy.
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Impact of the democratic political system on the traditional social structure.
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Explain the concept of power. Distinguish between power and authority.
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Discuss the meaning and role of voluntary organizations in the efforts of transformation of society through state-action.
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Write short note: Social disorganization.
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Evaluate the functioning of political parties in the democracies of the Third World.
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Write short note: Dysfunctions of bureaucracy.
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Write short note: Merits and demerits of secret ballot in democracy.
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What role can the power of unorganised masses play in bringing about social change in a democratic society?
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Write short note: Bureaucracy and economic development.
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Write short note: Formal and Informal Structure of Bureaucracy.
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Write short note: Power of the Elite.
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What do you understand by community power structure? Discuss the major changes in recent times in the pattern of the distribution of power in Indian society.
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Critically examine the statement, ‘A study of power inevitably involves an investigation of social class’.
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Write short note: Authoritarian Personality.
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Write short note: Legitimacy.
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Write short note: Bureaucracy in developing societies.
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Write short note: Power.
-
Explain the role of community power structure in the political decision-making processes in the society. Are power and authority getting broad based in India today?
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Write short note: Power of the elite and the masses in democratic societies.
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Write short note: Pressure groups and economic development.
Unit 08
Religion and Society
PYQ Solutions
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How does the rise of new ‘cults’ and ‘sects’ influence intercaste relations?
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How does Emile Durkheim conceptualize religion as a ‘social fact’? Explain.
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How do theories of Marx, Weber and Durkheim differ in understanding religion? Explain.
-
How does a multicultural society accommodate diversities of all kinds — ethnic, linguistic and religious? Discuss its major challenges.
-
How do you understand the phenomena of the mushrooming of sects and cults in contemporary society? Discuss the factors responsible for the trend.
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Discuss the concept of animism and differentiate it from naturism.
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Do modernization and secularization necessarily go together? Give your views.
-
What is Taylorism? Analyze its merits and demerits.
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What are new religious movements? Elaborate emphasizing their forms and orientations.
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Highlight the differences and similarities between totemism and animism.
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What functions does religion perform in a pluralistic society?
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Write a note on global trends of secularization.
-
How do little tradition and great tradition coexist in contemporary Indian society?
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Critically compare the views of E. B. Tylor and Max Müller on religion.
-
What is cult? Explain the growth of cults in the contemporary world.
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Give your comments on the growth of religious revivalism in the present-day context.
-
State the reasons for the various religious beliefs and practices in pre-modern societies.
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Are all world religions patriarchal? Substantiate your answer with examples.
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What are sects? Discuss their role in multi-religious societies with empirical examples.
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Discuss the challenges thrown by religious revivalism to a secular nation-state.
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Give an assessment of the Durkheimian notion of ‘sacred’ and ‘profane’ in sociology of religion.
-
Problematise the concept of secularism in the present context.
-
Elaborate on various types of religious practices prevalent in Indian society.
-
Is religion playing an important role in increasing fundamentalism? Give reasons for your answer.
-
How is Durkheim’s theory of religion different from Max Weber’s theory of religion?
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“Religious pluralism is the order of present-day societies.” Explain by giving suitable examples.
-
Distinguish between sects and cults with illustrations.
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Define Secularisation. What are its major dimensions in the modern world?
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How is religious revivalism different from communalism? Elaborate with suitable examples from the Indian context.
-
“Science has empirical means to logical ends and religion has non-empirical means to logical ends.” Comment.
-
Is religion antithetical to science? Comment.
-
Discuss the factors leading to growing religious revivalism in the contemporary world.
-
Write short note on Cultural Pluralism from a sociological perspective (in about 150 words).
-
Define sect, cult and religion. In what way do Weber’s views on religion differ from those of Durkheim?
-
Examine the social dimensions of religious revivalism and fundamentalism in the context of globalisation.
-
Write short note on Positive Religion.
-
“Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind.” Comment on this statement critically in the light of emerging sociological contexts in Europe, USA and India.
-
Write short note on Secularization of societies in the modern world.
-
In what important ways can religion be a force both for social stability and social change? Discuss.
-
Write short note: Religion and Science.
-
Write short note: Origins of religious beliefs and practices in premodern societies.
-
Examine the functional as well as dysfunctional aspects of religion in a pluralistic society taking India and the United States of America as illustrative models.
-
Critically examine functional and dysfunctional aspects of religion.
-
Elaborate on the social necessity of religion. Discuss the relationship between religion and science.
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Write short note: Religious pluralism.
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Write short note: Fundamentals of religion.
-
What is happening to religion in the face of challenges of science in modern societies? Elaborate your answer with the help of sociological literature.
-
“Religion is said to have emancipated human beings on the one hand but it also alienates them on the other.” Bring out the paradoxical functions religion plays in a modern secular society.
-
Discuss the role of religion in the world today. Has the supergrowth of science any de-mystifying effect on religion?
-
Write short note: Religion and Society.
-
Write short note: Religious factor in economic development.
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Write short note: Religious and scientific world views.
Unit 09
Systems of Kinship
PYQ Solutions
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In what way can the concept of ‘patriarchal bargain’ be applied to the institution of marriage? Comment.
-
Give an account of the recent trends of marriage in the Indian context. How are these different from traditional practices?
-
In what way does queer kinship challenge the traditional kinship system? Substantiate by giving illustrations.
-
Modern families have not just become nuclear and neo-local, but also filiocentric. How do you explain this trend?
-
What are the ‘basic and irreducible’ functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons? Explain.
-
Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from ‘ritual’ to ‘commercial’ in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change.
-
Analyze critically David Morgan’s views on family practices.
-
How do you assess the changing patterns in kinship relations in societies today?
-
Does women’s education help to eradicate patriarchal discriminations? Reflect with illustrations.
-
Discuss various theoretical perspectives on the family.
-
How do you understand the relationship between patriarchy and social development?
-
Discuss the consequences of Across Region marriage on kinship system in modern Indian society.
-
What is the impact of gender division of labour on the development of society?
-
Does the institution of marriage continue to be sacred in Indian society? Comment.
-
In the light of judicial intervention on ‘Live-in relationships’, discuss the future of marriage and family in India.
-
What, according to Irawati Karve, are the major differences between North Indian and South Indian Kinship systems?
-
What are the new forms of family in developed societies? Discuss.
-
Distinguish between family and household with reference to the concept of development of the household.
-
Define patriarchy. How does patriarchy manifest in interpersonal relations?
-
Examine ‘patriarchal bargain’ as gendered division of work in contemporary India.
-
Examine the relationship between the contemporary trends in marriage and changing forms of family.
-
Discuss the regional variations of kinship system in Indian society.
-
To what extent is patriarchy a cause for the problems of women? Discuss.
-
Discuss the contemporary trends in family as a response to social change in modern society.
-
Distinguish between family and household as sociological concepts.
-
Is male authority absent in matrilineal society? Discuss.
-
How do the rules of descent and alliance in kinship differ from each other? Illustrate.
-
Critically examine the functionalist views on the institution of family. How do those help us in understanding family in the present times?
-
What do you understand by institutionalization of ‘live-in relationship’?
-
Analyse the contemporary trends in family with examples.
-
Is patriarchy a universal phenomenon? Critically examine how does patriarchy affect sexual division of labour in societies.
-
Examine the emerging trends in marriage and family as a response to the changes in economic and social order.
-
Describe the importance of lineage and descent in kinship and family.
-
Write short note on Lineage and Descent from a sociological perspective (in about 150 words).
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What do you mean by marriage and family? Discuss the structural and functional changes in family in modern society.
-
Write short note on Kinship and Social Capital.
-
Discuss the emerging forms of marriage and family with examples from the West and the East. Can there be family without marriage? Examine.
-
Write short note on Industrialization and changes in the family’s functions.
-
Write short note: New trends in the types and forms of family in contemporary India.
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Write short note: Changing structure of family.
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Write short note: Nuclear family and industrial society.
-
Elucidate changing structure of family and marriage in modern society.
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Write short note: Role of Family in Social Control.
-
Write short note: Gender Roles in Changing Structure of Family.
-
Discuss the meanings and significance of culture in Human Society. Critically bring out the role of Culture in the Development of personality.
-
Elaborate on the concepts of Family and Lineage. Discuss the relationship between Rules of descent and inheritance of property.
-
Distinguish between Sex and Gender issues with suitable examples.
-
In what way is the process of socialization helpful in the development of personality? Explain with suitable examples.
-
Write short note: Incest taboo.
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Discuss the factors responsible for the changing structure of family in modern societies.
-
Social control is more a matter of conviction than that of coercion. Comment. Discuss the role of ideology in social control.
-
‘Socialization is a process by which all of us acquire the culture that we transmit to the next generation’. Elaborate the statement and discuss its various stages.
-
Compare the role of custom as an agency of social control in primitive and modern industrial societies.
-
Write short note: Impact of changes in sex roles on family.
-
What has been the impact of industrialisation on family and kinship organisation? Illustrate the significance of kinship organisation in the industrial societies.
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Write short note: Primary group.
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Write short note: Role of culture.
-
Explain the view that the nuclear family “fits” the needs of industrial society. Is it that the structure of nuclear family is the same in all industrial societies?
-
Give a brief account of the trends in sociological analysis of change in traditional family and kinship systems in the face of industrialisation.
-
Bring out the relationship between culture and personality. Discuss with examples the differences in personalities in the same culture.
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Short note: Social consequences of increase in the rate of divorce.
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Write short note: Social control.
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Write short note: Socialization and personality.
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How do changes in the age and sex roles in the family affect the social structure itself?
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Write short note: Structural principles of kinship.
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How does culture influence personality? Can personality influence culture? How?
-
What are the agencies of social control? Which is the most effective one in a democratic society?
-
Analyze scientific theory of culture. Will the crisis in culture in the contemporary society facilitate the emergence of new man?
-
Discuss family as a basic and fundamental social institution. Do you think changing sex roles necessitate the replacement of family by another institution?
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Write short note: Change in sex roles and the socialisation of children.
Unit 07(d)
Social Movements
PYQ Solutions
Unit 10
Social Change in Modern Society
PYQ Solutions
Unit 10(d)
Education System and Social Change
PYQ Solutions
Unit 10(e)
Science, Technology and Social Change
PYQ Solutions
Syllabus map
Paper II · Introducing Indian Society
Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society, Impact of Colonial Rule on Indian Society.
Unit 01
Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society
PYQ Solutions
-
Indological approach, advocated by G. S. Ghurye, focuses on the study of Indian society through Indian texts. How can Indological approach be useful in the study of other society? Comment in detail.
-
Compare G. S. Ghurye’s and A. R. Desai’s approaches used in understanding Indian society.
-
Bring out the debates of ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ approaches in understanding Indian society.
-
‘Textual perspective is important in understanding of Indian Social System.’ Discuss.
-
How would you appropriate to characterise G. S. Ghurye as a practitioner of ‘theoretical pluralism’?
-
Do you think that in a society like India, orthogenetic changes take place through differentiation? Do you observe continuities in the orthogenetic process? Elaborate your answer with suitable examples.
-
Justify that the Indian traditions are modernizing. Also discuss its contributing factors.
-
Differentiate between ‘Western’ and ‘Indological’ perspectives on the study of Indian society. Bring out the major aspects of G. S. Ghurye’s contribution to ‘Indological’ approach.
-
Highlight the significant features of A.R Desai’s ‘Dialectical Perspective’ to study Indian Society.
-
Elaborate on M.N. Srinivas’s structural-functionalist approach to the study of Indian society.
-
Critically examine G.S. Ghurye’s Indological approach to the understanding of Indian society.
-
Critically examine Yogendra Singh’s thesis on ‘Modernisation of Indian Tradition’.
-
Examine the social background of growth of Indian nationalism.
-
Elaborate A. R. Desai’s perspective to the study of Indian society.
-
Elaborate Srinivas’s views on religion and society among the Coorgs.
-
Give an account of Ranajit Guha’s approach in studying ‘subaltern class’.
-
Write a note on G.S. Ghurye’s Indological perspective of understanding Indian society.
-
Analyze A.R. Desai’s views on India’s path of development.
-
Write a critique of the structural and functional perspective used by M.N. Srinivas in the understanding of Indian society.
-
Write short notes with a sociological perspective: Salient features of A.R. Desai’s Marxist Sociology.
-
Discuss Marxist approach to the analysis of Indian nationalism.
-
Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in 150 words : G.S. Ghurye’s Indological approach to understand society in India.
-
Write short note with a sociological perspective : M.N. Srinivas’s concept of westernisation.
-
Write short note on the following with a sociological perspective : Limitations of the dialectical approach to the study of Indian society.
-
Write short note on the following with a sociological perspective : Westernization and institutional changes in India.
-
Write short note on the following with a sociological perspective : Interaction of ‘little tradition’ and ‘great tradition’.
-
Distinguish between : Positional change and structural change.
-
‘Indian society may be understood as a system of cognitive structures.’ How far do you agree with this statement ?
-
How have social reform movements in colonial India contributed to modernization of Indian society ?
-
Write short note on The book – view and the field – view in Indian sociology with a sociological perspective in note more than 150 words.
-
Write short note with a sociological perspective on A. R. Desai’s characterization of leadership of Indian freedom movement.
-
Comment critically on The heterogenic features that influenced Indian tradition, according to Yogendra Singh.
-
How far is the structural functional perspective helpful in understanding changes in contemporary Indian society ?
-
Write short note on Colonial hangover and its social impact.
-
What are the main principles of the structural-functional perspective? Comment on the suitability of applying this perspective to the study of Indian society.
-
Write short note on Indological perspective of G. S. Ghurye.
-
How do you differentiate between social change and modernization ? Explain with examples from Indian society.
-
How has the Marxist Perspective been applied to explain social background of Indian nationalism ?
-
Describe the major aspects of traditional Hindu social organization. How far are they relevant for present day Indian society ?
-
Discuss the metaphysical and ethical basis of Hindu social organization
-
Examine the ways in which Indian society can be strengthened as multi-cultural society. Is the dominance of single culture a hindrance to multiculturalism in India?
-
Write short note : Impact of West on Indian society.
-
Write short note : Impact of Buddhism on Indian society
-
Write short note : Response of Indian society to the early impact of West
-
“Tradition and modernity co-exist in contemporary Indian society’.
-
Discuss the factors responsible for this continuity and change.
-
Explain the significance of empirical approach to the study of Indian society. How does the use of historical approach enrich empirical orientation.
-
Write short note : Social significance of Grihasthasrama.
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Examine the utility and limitations of indological source material to understanding of Indian Society.
-
Examine the features of continuity and change of Indian society in historical perspective.
-
Write short note : Ethnic diversity and community integration.
-
‘Indian tradition, today, exhibits a form of neotraditionalism along with modernisation’. Comment.
-
Write short note : Basic features of traditional Hindu social organisation.
-
Analyse the impact of the modern West on traditional social values in India.
-
Examine the historical roots of Indian society and identify the factors of continuity and change in it.
-
Assess the impact of the west in the shaping the Indian renaissance movement in the 19 th centuary.
-
Examine the impact of Buddhism and Islam on the Hindu society.
-
Write shprt note : The India intellectual between tradition and modernity.
Unit 02
Impact of Colonial Rule on Indian Society
PYQ Solutions
-
Examine how Indian Nationalism was a result of ‘Akhand Bharat’/Indian Subcontinent’s socio-cultural and political consciousness.
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How has colonial rule transformed Indian society? If it (Indian society) had not undergone colonial rule, then what type of Indian society would have been there? Elaborate.
-
Differentiate between protests and movements. Discuss some of those movements which changed the fabric of Indian agrarian society during the colonial period.
-
According to you, which social reform had long-lasting impact on a specific section of society? Support your answer with suitable example.
-
How did Colonial Policies for the tribes affected their socio-economic conditions in India? Discuss.
-
Do you think that new economic reforms of British rule have disrupted the old economic system of India? Substantiate your answer with suitable examples.
-
Highlight the major contributions of the reform movements in pre-independent India.
-
Discuss in detail the major contribution of Prof. Yogendra Singh in theorizing India’s modernization.
-
“Banning Practice of ‘Sati’ is attributed to annihilation of a major social evil in colonial India.” Comment.
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Colonial administrators helped to construct the very traditionalism which marked the Indian society as ‘backward’. Comment critically.
-
Examine sociological dynamics of Champaran Peasant Movement in colonial India.
-
The main objectives of socio-religious movements during the colonial rule in India were reforming and synthesizing Hinduism. Write on any two such important movements.
-
Discuss Yogendra Singh’s thesis on Modernisation of Indian Tradition, and evaluate its applicability in the present day context.
-
Write short notes with a sociological perspective: Anti-Brahmanical movements during the colonial period.
-
Discuss the paradigm of modernization of Indian tradition in analyzing social change in India.
-
Analyze Gandhi as a moralist, ascetic and man of action through his Hind Swaraj.
-
Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words: Modernisation of Indian traditions.
-
Discuss the social background of Indian nationalism.
Syllabus map
Paper II · Social Structure
Rural and Agrarian Social Structure, Caste System, Tribal Communities in India, Social Classes in India, Systems of Kinship in India, Religion and Society in India.
Unit 01
Rural and Agrarian Social Structure
PYQ Solutions
Unit 02
Caste System
PYQ Solutions
-
Where would you locate the tribal community in the Varna system of India? Discuss.
-
How do Louis Dumont and André Beteille differ in their approaches in understanding caste system in India? Explain.
-
Which measures would you suggest for preventing caste conflicts in India? Justify your argument.
-
What are the different forms of untouchability still practised in India? Discuss with suitable illustrations.
-
What, according to you, are the factors responsible for the continuance of caste system in India? Explain.
-
Critically examine the concept of Sanskritization with suitable illustrations.
-
Contextualize Louis Dumont’s concept of ‘binary opposition’ with reference to caste system in India.
-
Are Tradition and Modernity antithetical to each other? Comment.
-
In the context of the changing Indian society, how do you view Andre Beteille’s conceptions of harmonic and disharmonic social structures?
-
Explain different forms of untouchability in India.
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Caste 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.
-
What does Dr. B.R Ambedkar mean by the concept of ‘Annihilation of Caste’?
-
Caste-like formations are present in Non-Hindu religious communities as well. Discuss with examples.
-
Is Indian society moving from ‘hierarchy’ towards ‘differentiation’? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.
-
What are the various forms of untouchability in India? Critically examine.
-
How do you justify Dumont’s deliberate stress on ideology that produced intellectualized account of Indian society?
-
Discuss Whitehead’s contention that caste has potential to displace class and colonial contradiction.
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Write a note on Ghurye’s conception of caste in India.
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What do you understand by discrete castes and muddled hierarchies?
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Has caste system hindered democracy and adult franchise in India? Discuss.
-
Which is more significant, the principle of ‘hierarchy’ or the principle of ‘difference’, in intercaste relations in the present day?
-
How have the struggles against untouchability changed their forms and perspectives from Gandhian to Ambedkarite positions?
-
What are the changes in the cultural and structural aspects of the caste system since independence?
-
How has B.R. Ambedkar identified the features of caste system? How is it different from the mainstream treatment of caste features?
-
Discuss Andre Beteille’s account of the relationship between caste, class and power as a change from symmetrical to asymmetrical One.
-
Write short note with a sociological perspective: Louis Dumont’s perspective on Indian caste system.
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Write short note with a sociological perspective: How far Gandhi was trusted by the untouchables.
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Is caste system changing, weakening or disintegrating in India?
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Write short note with a sociological Perspective: How far Srinivas’s Sanskritization is modernizing force or traditionalizing force in understanding the changes in caste system?
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Discuss B.R. Ambedkar as a wise democrat.
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Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words : Features of caste system.
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Write some of the important social reforms in India for the removal of untouchability.
-
How do caste and class come together in creating the category of extreme poor?
-
What are the main features of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s views on annihilation of caste?
-
Critically evaluate Louis Dumont’s Homo Hierarchicus.
-
What are the features of M.N. Srinivas’ concept of dominant caste? How effective is it in understanding today’s reality?
-
Write short note with a sociological perspective: Perspectives on the study of caste by M.N. Srinivas and Andre Beteille.
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Analyze the term ‘dalit’ and the evolution of the related concept as a reflection of the changing consciousness and self-assertion of the dalit community.
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‘Casteism is the modern edition of the caste system.’ Do you agree with this statement? Discuss with arguments.
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Analyze the changing nexus between caste and tribe.
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Comment critically on Dumont’s concept of Homo Hierarchicus.
-
Critically assess the forms in which untouchability continues to be practised.
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Discuss the inter-relationships between caste, class and power.
-
In the context of the caste system, critically examine Louis Dumont’s concept of purity and pollution.
-
Write short note: Concept of Hierarchy in Louis Dumont’s writings
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Discuss the social factors responsible for the emergence of Dalit consciousness in India. What have been the social consequences of this phenomenon?
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Write short note: Racial Theories of origin of caste.
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Write short note: Impact of Muslims on Indian Society.
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Write short note: Caste among Muslims.
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Describe the characteristics of dominant caste. Discuss its role in village politics in India.
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Discuss the Louis Dumont’s concept of purity and pollution. How far these concepts are relevant in explaining the Hindu Caste system.
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Write short note: Emergence of Dalit Consciousness.
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Write short note: Caste and Indian Polity.
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Which means of social mobility were available in the traditional caste system? Describe the form of social mobility in contemporary Indian society.
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Write short note: Caste among Indian Christians.
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Write short note: Social Justice.
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Write short note: Modes of contents of expression of Dalit consciousness.
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Write short note: Role of caste associations.
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‘Caste is becoming weaker and stronger at the same time in present day India.’ Discuss the factors responsible for continuity and change.
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Do you think that caste and democracy are compatible with each other? Discuss with reference to some studies conducted on this issue in India.
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Write short note: Varna-asrama dharma.
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Avenues of caste mobility in traditional Indian society
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Write short note: Equality and social justice.
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Write short note: Cultural and structural aspect of caste.
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Caste and occupational mobility
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Write short note: Ritual purity and pollution in Hindu Society
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Discuss the changes in the structure of power relationships of various castes at the regional levels.
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‘Institutionalized inequality in India has its cultural and economic coordinates’. Discuss.
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Discuss the process of mobility that has taken place in the caste structure in India. In this context, explain the convergence of caste and class.
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Sociological perspectives of “Right to work” in India
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Write short note: Purushartha.
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The organic solidarity of caste has given way to competitive solidarity. Discuss this statement in the context of the processes of fission and fusion in the Caste System.
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Industrialisation and Caste
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Is the caste system immobile? Bring out the factors promoting intra-caste and inter-caste mobility.
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Write short note: Convergence of class and caste.
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Write short note: The case for a uniform civil code.
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‘Despite all the fusion and fission that the caste system has undergone through the ages, it has binded to maintain the permanency of it form’. Comment.
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Write short note: Kula, Vansa and Gotra.
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Comment on the distinction between ‘hierarchy’ and ‘social stratification.’ Which of the two will be a more appropriate term to describe the caste system and why?
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Write short note: Caste among the non-Hindu.
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Write short note: Scheduled caste elites.
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What is the structural perspective on the caste system? Is it not an oversimplification to describe the system as a hierarchy of statuses based on the opposition of the pure and impure?
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Describe the main characteristics of the Jajmani system. Do you agree with the view that it is basically an institution of politico-economic dominance and dependence?
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Discuss the social consequences of economic development in India. Do you share the view that it has increased economic inequality and failed to promote social justice?
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Examine the role of caste as a pressure-group in contemporary Indian politics.
Unit 03
Tribal Communities in India
PYQ Solutions
-
Why was the category of ‘criminal tribe’ created by law during the colonial period in India? Discuss its implications.
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Where would you locate the tribal community in the Varna system of India? Discuss.
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How did Colonial Policies for the tribes affected their socio-economic conditions in India? Discuss.
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In what respects have the constitutional provisions changed the socio-economic and political conditions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India? Critically examine.
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What are the definitional problems involved in identifying tribes in India? Discuss the main obstacles to tribal development in India.
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Analyse the perspectives of Isolation, Assimilation and Integration in understanding the trajectories of Indian Tribal Development.
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Define ethnicity. Discuss the factors responsible for the growth of ethnic movements in India.
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Discuss the main features of the debate between G.S. Ghurye and V. Elwin on tribal development.
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Explain the definitional problems concerning the tribal communities in India.
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Examine the colonial policy of segregation of tribes under the Government of India Act, 1935.
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Comment on the growing assertion of tribal community for autonomy in India.
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What is ethnonationalism? Examine the critical factors responsible for tribal discontent in India.
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What is the nature of religious change among tribal communities? Illustrate with two examples from colonial and post-independence times.
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Why have we started using another category of tribes called the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)? Why are they so called?
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Write short notes with a sociological perspective: ‘Isolationism’ as a dominant feature of colonial tribal policy.
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How is the tribal question related with the issues of integration and autonomy in modern India?
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Write short note with a sociological perspective: Verrier Elwin’s views on freedom for the tribals.
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Write short note with a sociological Perspective: Main objective of Tribal sub plan (TSP).
-
Analyse the different views on integration and autonomy of tribes in India.
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What are the features that distinguish tribes from the rest of the population?
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Write a note on ethnicity and integration in the context of tribes.
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How does the new Forest Act affect tribals?
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Distinguish between : Tribe and Caste.
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Has geographic and economic mobility impacted the tribal culture and social structure? Give examples.
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Write short note with a sociological perspective on the following in not more than 150 words: Unity and diversity among the tribes in India.
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Discuss the various problems of tribal communities in India and assess the impact of tribal development efforts after Independence.
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Describe the distinctive features of tribal communities in India. Discuss the factors affecting tribal identity.
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Write short note : Migration and tribal communities.
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Write short note : Isolation approach in tribal policy.
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Write short note : Emergence of classes among tribes.
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Write short note : Integration of tribes in Hindu culture.
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Critically examine various tribal policies. Which tribal policy would you advocate for tribal development in India any way?
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Analyse critically the Government of India’s tribal policy.
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Write short note : Issues of tribal identity.
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What changes have taken place in the tribal social stratification pattern in recent times? Describe the factors responsible for these changes.
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Describe the socio-cultural consequences of tribals’ contacts with the non-tribals. What measures would you suggest to bring the tribals in the national mainstream?
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Write short note : Tribal integration.
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Write short note : Sources of tribal unrest in India.
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Trace the impact of cultural contact on the Indian tribes.
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‘Erosion of ecology and economy, and not politicisation, is the main source of tribal unrest in India today.’ Examine the validity of this statement.
-
‘Uneven development is the major source of tribal unrest in India’. Examine the statement in relation to the movements in tribal India.
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Analyse the different dimensions of the integration of tribes in the national polity. How can the process by accelerated?
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Write short note : The future of tribal culture.
Unit 04
Social Classes in India
PYQ Solutions
Unit 05
Systems of Kinship in India
PYQ Solutions
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What is kinship? Briefly explain G. P. Murdock’s contribution to the study of the kinship system.
-
How same sex marriages are responsible for population dynamics in India? Discuss.
-
Why is the study of marriage important in Sociology? Analyse the implications of changing marriage patterns for Indian society.
-
Do you think that family bondings are being affected by the changing kinship patterns in India? Comment.
-
Is patriarchy a key to understanding different forms of inequalities in Indian society? Elaborate.
-
Examine the concept of ‘Cultural Pluralism’ in the context of India’s Unity in Diversity.
-
Define the concepts of ‘Descent’ and ‘Alliance’. Differentiate between North Indian and South Indian Kinship systems with examples.
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Analyse the role of market and modern forces in understanding the changing trends in marriage systems in India.
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Discuss the material basis of patriarchy as an ideological system.
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Discuss different forms of Kinship system in India.
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Discuss the conceptual issues about lineage and descent in India. Give suitable illustrations.
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Analyze household dimensions of family in India.
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Define patriarchy. Does it have bearings on women’s entitlement in Indian family system? Explain.
-
Illustrate the importance of ‘Kanyadan’ and ‘Kulabadhu’ in changing institutions of marriage and family.
-
Western patriarchy which surrenders feminine principles is the new development project in India. Do you agree with this view? Why?
-
Clarify the distinction between ‘household’ and ‘family’ and evaluate whether joint families have completely disintegrated.
-
Compare the North Indian Kinship System with the South Indian Kinship System.
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Write short notes with a sociological perspective: Patriarchy as a form of dominance.
-
Bring out the significance of the difference between family and household.
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Give some of the important studies relating to the structural changes in the Indian family system.
-
What is patriarchy ? How does it affect the child socialization pattern in India ?
-
Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words : Types of kinship systems in India.
-
Define Patriarchy. How does it impact the overall entitlement of a girl child in India?
-
Write short note on the following with a sociological perspective : Challenges to institution of marriage.
-
Distinguish between : Affinal kin and Consanguineous kin.
-
Distinguish between : Marriage as sacrament and marriage as contract.
-
Comment on the social and cultural determinants of sexual division of labour.
-
Has nuclear family existed in traditional India ? Discuss with reference to the views of I. P. Desai.
-
Comment critically on Linkages between Patriarchy and honour killings.
-
Comment on the influence of social and cultural factors on family planning in India.
-
Comment on the changes in the household dimensions of family under modem economic reforms.
-
What has been the impact of globalisation on the cultural aspect(s) of the family?
-
What is Patriarchy? How have the women’s movements confronted the norms of Patriarchy?
-
Discuss the impact of legislation and socioeconomic changes on marriage and family institutions. Are these institutions weakening in contemporary India?
-
Write short note: Industrialisation and family change in India, with examples.
-
Write short note: Generation Gap.
-
Discuss the influence of socio-cultural factors on age of marriage in India.
-
What factors are responsible for the instability of the Indian family? Will the family survive the present crisis in modem society?
-
Outline the social factors related to generation gap. How has the generation gap led to the problem of youth unrest?
-
“Nuclear families grow into joint families and then break into nuclear families. The change from nuclear to joint and from joint to nuclear families is fairly frequent in India.” Explain the changes in the structure and functions of joint family in this context.
-
Write short note : Legislation and socio-economic change in family.
-
Write short note : Changing pattern of Hindu joint family.
-
‘Family jointness still continues unaffected by the differences of religion, caste, urbanization and occupation’. Elucidate
-
Critically assess the role of social legislation in bringing about basic structural changes in marriage, family and property in India. What are the main obstacles in evolving a common Civil Code?
-
Write short note : Social Implications of Intercaste marriages.
-
Write short note : Acculturation.
-
Write short note : Regional Variation in Kinship System
-
Examine the roots of youth unrest. How can we channel youth power for national development ?
-
Write short note : The Indian family in continuity and change.
-
How far is generational disaffiliation responsible for youth activism in India? Why is the Indian youth failing to respond to the national challenges?
-
Examine the impact of recent social legislation on Hindu marriage and family with special reference to the status of women.
-
Trace the impact of urbanisation on the Hindu family.
Unit 06
Religion and Society in India
PYQ Solutions
-
Discuss the debates on the concepts ‘duty’ and ‘worship’ while understanding religion in India.
-
How does the concept ‘secular’ go beyond any religion in plural society like India? Analyse.
-
What do you mean by nation-building? What is the role of religion in nation-building? Elaborate your answer.
-
How do religious communities contribute to the cultural diversity of India?
-
Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India and suggest measures to solve them.
-
Write a note on ‘cultural pluralism’ in multi-religious society like India.
-
Do you think that the Indian saints have brought about social reform and awareness in Indian society? Explain.
-
How do you understand the ‘minority’ question? Examine the violence and discrimination against the religious minorities in India.
-
Discuss the growth of religious sects in India.
-
Write a critical narrative on the concerns of religious minorities in India.
-
Assess the impact of ban on ‘Triple Talak’ on marriage and divorce among the Muslim community in India.
-
What are the distinct features of Islam as practised in India, and how have they changed over time?
-
Elucidate the concepts of ‘majoritarianism’ and ‘minoritarianism’ in accentuating communal tensions in India.
-
What are the basic tenets of Hindu religion? Is Hinduism based on monotheism or polytheism?
-
What are the major concerns of ethnic identity and religious identity in India?
-
Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India.
-
Examine the impact of secularization on various religious communities in India.
-
How are the issues of ethnicity and nationalism related? Discuss in the context of the emergence of ethnonationalism in India.
-
Write short note with a sociological perspective on The Parsi community and its contribution to Indian society.
-
Can religion form a sufficient basis of forming cultural identity in India? Comment.
-
Discuss the major problems of religious fundamentalism in contemporary India. Give suggestions to tackle these problems.
-
Write short note: Problems of religious minorities.
-
Describe the indicators of secularism. In your opinion, is it being practiced in letter and spirit in present day Indian society?
-
Write short note: Religious fundamentalism.
-
Write short note: Role of religion in civil Society.
-
Describe the socio-economic factors responsible for communal tensions in India. What suggestions will you give to control them?
-
Is Secularism a weak Ideology? Critically analyse the reasons for anti-secular trends in India.
-
Write short note : Problems of Hindu minority in Kashmir.
-
Write short note : Inequality among Brahmins.
-
Explain the concept of secular state and discuss the problems of India as a secular state.
-
Write short note : Religious fundamentalism.
-
Define religious minority. Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India.
-
Write short note : Secularism.
-
Discuss the constitutional safeguards for religious minority groups and account for increasing religious fundamentalism in India.
-
Write short note : Communal tensions in India.
-
Write short note : Pattern of secularism in India.
-
Write short note : Minority status and religious conversions.
-
Explain issues emerging from inter-religion interaction in India today. Evaluate them in the context of secularism in India.
-
Write short note : Primitive Communism.
-
Write short note : Minority groups and communalism.
-
Write short note : Plural society and secularism.
-
Write short note : Religion and national integration in India.
-
Critically evaluate the role of religion and ethnicity in Indian politics since the First General Elections in 1952.
-
Write short note : Secularism as a scientific concept.
-
Write short note : Linguistic Conflicts.
-
Write short note : Communal tensions : their economic and social background.
-
Discuss the factors responsible for the growing feeling of alienation among the religious minorities in India. How can they be made to overcome this feeling?
-
Write short note : Religious and ethnic conflict in India.
Syllabus map
Paper II · Social Changes in India
Visions of Social Change in India, Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India, Industrialization and Urbanisation in India, Politics and Society in India, Social Movements in Modern India, Population Dynamics, Challenges of Social Transformation.
Unit 01
Visions of Social Change in India
PYQ Solutions
Unit 02
Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India
PYQ Solutions
-
Despite the efforts of the government, bonded labour still continues in India. Discuss.
-
Discuss the challenges faced by the cooperative movements in India. Suggest measures to strengthen the movement at the grass-roots level.
-
What is ‘reverse migration’? Discuss its features, causes and consequences in India.
-
Critique the victory narratives of Green Revolution in the context of Indian society.
-
Explain how land reforms brought about desired agrarian transformation.
-
What role do co-operatives play in poverty alleviation in rural India?
-
What are the sociological reasons and implication of “reverse migration” during the recent pandemic in the India.
-
Comment on the role of co-operatives in rural development.
-
Discuss the dynamics of ‘migrant workers’ in India in the context of Corona pandemic.
-
Point out the benefits of ‘green chemistry’ for agrarian transformation in India.
-
Do you think MSP (Minimum Support Price) Scheme for agricultural produce can help in rural development? Elaborate your response with suitable examples.
-
Discuss the challenges in implementing the Rural Development Programs in India.
-
Highlight the main features of the ‘Inter-linking of Rivers’ project in India. What could be its probable advantages to Indian agriculture?
-
How do the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission (2004-2006) ensure food and nutrition security for the Indian masses?
-
Has ‘Green Revolution’ led to the formation of new power elite in rural India? Elaborate your answer.
-
Write a short note on ‘changing means of production and increased rural poverty.’
-
Write short notes with a sociological perspective: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for rural development.
-
Write a note on the uneven impact of ‘Green Revolution’ on rural society.
-
Bring out the impact of the declining significance of the agrarian economy.
-
Write short note with a sociological perspective: Green Revolution. (150 words)
-
Write short note on the following with a sociological perspective: Changing rural power structure.
-
Bring out some positive and negative social consequences of green revolution. How has green revolution changed the rural social structure?
-
Write short note on the following in not more than 150 words. Your answer should have a sociological perspective: Impact of Green Revolution on rural class structure.
-
Comment on the factors responsible for the growth and consolidation of middle level peasantry in rural India. How is it related to capitalism in Indian agriculture?
-
Write short note on Possibilities of slum reform.
-
Describe the salient features of the poverty alleviation programmes. What modifications would you suggest to make them more effective?
-
Write short note : Strategies of rural development.
-
Outline the factors responsible for unrest in agrarian communities of India. What suggestions will you give to arrest this trend?
-
Write short note : Social consequences of green revolution.
-
Write short note : Poverty alleviation programmes.
-
Critically evaluate the child welfare programmes in India. Have they benefited all sections of children in India.
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What do you mean by ‘Green Revolution’ and what are its socio-economic consequences? Discuss.
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How far did the Community Development Projects help in realising the goals of planned change? Examine critically
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Write short note : Faction in rural life.
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“Poverty breeds poverty in rural India.” Evaluate Integrated Rural Development Programme in the light of this statement.
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Write short note : Rural credit and its bearing on poverty.
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Write short note : TRYSEM – as a measure for rural development.
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Write short note : Bonded-labour.
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Write short note : Political power and rural development in India.
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Write short note : Green Revolution and Social Tensions.
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Write short note : Grass root Planning.
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Write short note : Integrated Rural Development Programme.
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Write short note : Reaching development to the rural poor.
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Stress the importance of regional development in the context of national planning in India. Can regional disparities be reduced within the framework of a centralist planning?
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Write short note : Planning for the rural poor: IRDP and NREP.
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Write short note : The social background of poverty.
Unit 03
Industrialization and Urbanisation in India
PYQ Solutions
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Urbanisation in Independent India has been characterized by over-urbanization and rural push. Explain with demographic and sociological dimensions.
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Examine the process of formalisation of informal sector to safeguard the interests of marginalised sections of the society.
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Discuss the trend of urbanization in India. Do you think that Industrialization is the only precondition of urbanization? Give your arguments.
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What are the major problems faced by the labour migrants while working in informal sectors of Indian States?
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Do you think that law has been able to abolish child labour in India? Comment.
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Are slums the manifestations of industrialisation and urbanisation in India? Explain.
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Is there a connection between labour migration and informal sector? Justify your answer with reference to Indian context.
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Examine with suitable examples the recent trends in the growth of urban settlements in India.
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Discuss the phenomenon of rural-urban continuum with suitable examples.
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What actionable measures would you suggest to curb the recurrent child labour menace in India?
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Analyse the difference between the attributional and interactional approach in studying the caste system.
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How do you view the growth of informal sector in India?
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Examine whether rural bondage still continues to be a social reality. Give your argument.
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Discuss different forms of deprivation associated with slums.
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Discuss the changing nature of industrial working class.
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Urban slums are sites of social exclusion – explain.
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Urban settlements in India tend to replicate its rural caste-kinship imprints. Discuss the main reasons.
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Elaborate the causes, consequences and other concerns of growth of urban settlements in India.
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Point out the main causes of ‘child labour’ in India. How far the State policies have succeeded in its elimination?
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Is industrial development in India a bane or a boon to agrarian class structure? Substantiate your answer with suitable examples.
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Elaborate urbanism as a way of life in India.
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Elucidate the concerns of growing urban displacement dynamics in India.
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How do you relate the growth of development of metropolis and its impact on the mental and social life of people in India?
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Write a note on Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development (IHSD) programs provided for the urban poor.
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Compare the pressing problems of a dalit poor family living in an urban slum with a similar type of family living in a rural setting.
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Do you agree that the issue of child labour raises questions about and beyond the informal sector? Give reasons.
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Examine the impact of heritage tourism on urban socio-spatial patterns in India.
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Write a detailed note on the effects of growing slums in urban areas.
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Discuss the changing nature of the problems of working class in the informal sector of the economy.
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Examine the impact of industrialization and urbanization on family structure.
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Write short note with a sociological Perspective: Issues relating to the informal labour market in urban India.
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Human development approach affirms that education and health-care growth are more important than economic growth. Discuss this issue in the light of post-liberalized Indian society.
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Give a sociological analysis of the problems of migrant urban poor.
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Discuss the impact of globalisation on the workers in the Informal sector.
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Distinguish between formal and informal sectors in India.
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Examine the influence of industrialisation on caste.
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Write short note with a sociological perspective: Child Labour
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Write an analytical note on slums in cities.
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Discuss the factors which contributed to industrial modernization in India. What are the salient features of new industrial class structure?
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Have the new economic policy and economic reforms led to weakening of labour class movements? Explain your views with examples.
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What are the linkage points between globalisation and the growth of the informal sector? How have these affected the nature and functioning of the working class?
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Rapid urbanization and sustainable development do not go together. Discuss with arguments.
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Evaluate the policy of SEZ (special economic zones) and the nature of social response to it.
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From a sociological perspective, examine the effects of the BPO industry on the youth.
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Comment on the sociological impact of globalization on people working in the Informal sector.
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What is the impact of Globalization on the structure and mobilization of the working class in India?
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Write short note: Informal sector in the urban economy in India.
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Discuss the social consequences of economic reforms like liberalization, privatisation and globalisation.
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Write short note: Market economy and its social consequences.
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Write short note: Programmes for urban development.
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Write short note: Social Consequences of Privatisation.
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Describe various aspects of urban environment in India and assess the impact of urban development programmes on it.
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Discuss how occupational diversification has affected the pattern of social stratification in India.
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Write short note: Privatization and globalization.
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Do you agree with the view that slums are areas of darkness and despair? Give reasons in support of your answer.
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Write short note: Consequences of globalization for India.
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Slums are scars on the social fabric. How can these scars be removed?
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What is meant by privatisation and how could it effect economic reforms in India?
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Write short note: Social consequences of unplanned urban growth.
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Assess the impact of market economy on the traditional rural economic structure.
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Write short note: Social profile of slums.
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Write short note: Urban neighbourhoods.
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Discuss the salient features of urbanisation in India. What steps would you suggest to tackle the negative aspects of urbanisation?
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Write short note: Social basis of trade unions.
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Write short note: Industrialisation and occupational diversification.
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Evaluate the role of state in social and economic reconstruction of Indian Society since Independence.
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Discuss the functions of traditional economic institutions in India. Analyse the factors responsible for change in them.
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‘The market cannot function without State.’ Critically examine the statement within the Indian context.
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Privatisation of economy can often result in growing social inequalities, exploitation and corruption. How far are these fears justified in the Indian context?
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What are the main social determinants of economic development in India? Examine this question with special reference to the growth of entrepreneurship and the rise of business houses in India.
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Examine the social consequences of economic development with special reference to India.
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Industrialisation and Caste
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Write short note: Urban decay: the culture of overcrowded neighbourhoods and slums in industrial cities.
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What is the link between industrialisation and urbanisation? What happens when urbanisation outstrips industrialisation? Answer with reference to India.
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Discuss the social consequences of economic development in India. Do you share the view that it has increased economic inequality and failed to promote social justice?
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Discuss industrialisation and urbanisation as interrelated factors of social change in India.
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What are the features of economic development? Outline the social determinants and consequences of economic development in India.
Unit 04
Politics and Society in India
PYQ Solutions
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How does the concept ‘secular’ go beyond any religion in plural society like India? Analyse.
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Discuss the social bases of political mobilization in Independent India. Has some change occurred in these during the last 60-70 years?
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What do you mean by nation-building? What is the role of religion in nation-building? Elaborate your answer.
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In what respects have the constitutional provisions changed the socio-economic and political conditions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India? Critically examine.
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What are pressure groups? Discuss their role in decision-making in democracy.
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What do you understand by decentralisation of power? What is its role in strengthening the roots of democracy in India? Elaborate.
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How do you account for the increasing significance of religion in public and personal spheres in the context of secularization thesis in India? Explain.
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Analyse the sociological interconnections between Social Media and Mass Mobilization in India.
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Discuss the role of pressure groups in strengthening democracy.
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Examine different understandings of secularisation in India.
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Bring out the various issues involved in Dalit movements in India.
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Does regionalism essentially lead to decentralization of power? Substantiate your answer with relevant examples.
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Is social democracy a precondition for political democracy? Comment.
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‘Secularism was an outcome of 20th century humanistic radicalism.’ Comment on this statement.
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Analyze the issues related to the citizenship in contemporary India. Give suitable illustrations.
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What do you understand by democratic federalism? How does it promote decentralization of power in India?
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Comment on the changing democratic profile of India.
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Discuss the implications of ‘Swachha Bharat Abhiyan’. Do you think that civil society has a role to play here? Substantiate your answer with examples.
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Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. Discuss,
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Elaborate various forms of Dalit assertions in contemporary India? What are its implications on the Indian political system?
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With increase in education and economic development is Indian society becoming more secular?
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Explain the concepts of ‘dominant caste’ and ‘vote bank’, giving examples from specific regions.
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Give an account of the problems relating to the ‘creamy layer’.
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To what extent does nation building depend on strengthening of pluralities in Indian society.
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Comment on the increasing significance of caste in politics.
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Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words : Gandhi’s efforts on communal harmony.
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Who are the elites ? Discuss their roles in bringing social transformation.
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Write short note with a sociological perspective on the following : Regional political elites and the democratic process.
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Critically examine the concepts of nation and citizenship in the context of globalization.
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‘Protective discrimination not only protects but also discriminates.’ Comment.
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Distinguish between ‘secularism’ and ‘secularisation’. Analyse the nature and extent of secularisation in contemporary India.
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Write short note on Factors responsible for increasing demands for the formation of separate states.
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Identify the reasons for the resilience of democratic system in India.
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Write short note on New rural elite and leadership.
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Write short note : Regionalism.
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Discuss the social base of political parties in India. What has been its impact on Indian democracy ?
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Write short note : Pluralism and national unity.
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‘The 73rd and the 74th constitutional amendments have motivated social mobilisation in rural India.’ – Discuss.
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Differentiate between pressure groups and interest groups. Describe the role of some prominent pressure groups in contemporary Indian politics.
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Write short note : Reservation and Panchayat Raj institutions.
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Elaborate the concept of political elite. Explain how social structural origins of political elites influence their political orientations.
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What is meant by democratic decentralization? Assess the working of Panchayati Raj in India.
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What have been the functions of democracy in India ? Has democracy been successful in eliminating some of the traditional social inequalities ?
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Discuss 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments with reference to decentralization of power.
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Write short note : National Unity.
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Write short note : Implications of emergence of regional political parties.
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Describe the socio-cultural background of the political elites of contemporary India. What has been the influence of the background on their political orientations?
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Describe the traditional power structure in rural India. Discuss the factors that have contributed to its changing pattern in recent years.
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Write short note : Role of pressure groups in Indian politics.
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Write short note : Changing social origins of political elites in India.
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It is often alleged that the social situation in India is not conducive to the efficient functioning of a democratic polity. Comment.
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Write short note : Decentralisation of power and local development.
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Evaluate the role of state in social and economic reconstruction of Indian Society since Independence.
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Write short note : Panchayati Raj and rural leadership.
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Discuss the executive measures and peoples’ participation in implementing various development programmes at the village level in India.
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Explain how emerging rural-urban nexuses are reshaping the character of Indian political elite and functioning of political institutions.
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Is legitimacy of key political institutions declining in India ? Discuss this issue in the context of the process of nation-building.
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Write short note : Social responsibility of political elites.
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Write short note : Electoral Reform in India.
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Write short note : Democratic Decentralisation.
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Write short note : The emerging pattern of rural leadership.
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Write short note : Protective discrimination : its sociology and politics.
Unit 05
Social Movements in Modern India
PYQ Solutions
Unit 06
Population Dynamics
PYQ Solutions
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Clarify how the family planning programmes have taken a political ‘U’-turn in present India.
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Discuss the challenges faced by the aged people in receiving ‘elder care’.
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What are the Private and Public network and support systems operative in Indian society for the aged? Suggest measures to curb down the challenges before care givers of the aged.
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How same sex marriages are responsible for population dynamics in India? Discuss.
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Discuss the major challenges related to women’s reproductive health in India. What measures would you suggest to overcome these challenges?
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What is ‘Ageing’? Discuss the major problems of aged people in India.
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Discuss the nature of regional variations in sex ratio in India. Stating reasons thereof.
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Discuss the role of pressure groups in strengthening democracy.
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Discuss recent trends in the structure of migration.
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Is ‘ageing’ an emerging issue in Indian society? Discuss the major problems of the old age people in India.
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Underline the socio-cultural factors responsible for India’s skewed sex-ratio.
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Give an account of the consequences and remedies of chronic malnutrition in India.
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What were the salient features of the India’s Population Policy (2000)? How far its goals have been achieved?
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Why has ‘Active ageing’ become a global goal? Do you agree that the role of elderly care-giving is disproportionately gendered in developing countries? Why?
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What is ‘social security’? Examine recent security measures adopted by the Government in India.
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What are the issues relating to male migration and its impact on birth rate? Does it necessarily result in skewed sex ratio?
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What are the emerging concerns on women’s reproductive health?
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What are the causes and solutions for the low female sex-ratio in the DEMARU States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Gujarat?
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Write short notes with a sociological perspective: Differential sex-ratio and its implications.
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How is ageing becoming an emerging issue in Indian society?
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Discuss the problems of elderly in India. What are the different perspectives to solve their problems?
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Why is it necessary to implement PCPNDT Act in India?
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Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words: Trends of Infant Mortality Rate among Females.
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What are the demographic projections for the ageing population (60+) for the next decade? What are the implications for formulating policy for them?
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Write short note with a sociological perspective: Sex Ratio.
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What are the main causes of female mortality in India?
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Write short note with a sociological perspective on the following: Demographic perspective of Indian youth.
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Discuss some social and cultural determinants of infant mortality rate. Give your suggestions to prevent infanticide.
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What are the problems of ageing population? Describe the declining traditional social support system for the aged. Suggest alternative measures to support ageing population.
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Write short note on the following in not more than 150 words. Your answer should have a sociological perspective: Infant Mortality Rate is the most sensitive index for measuring development. Comment.
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Explain the interface between population, ecology and environment in the context of India.
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Write short note on Social security measures for the elderly.
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Discuss the socio-cultural factors for the declining sex-ratio in some states of India.
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Write short note on Fertility and population growth.
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Write short note : Reproductive Health.
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Write short note : Social factors related to declining sex-ratio.
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Discuss the salient features of the population policy of Government of India. What modifications would you suggest to make it more effective?
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Write short note : Socio-cultural factors influencing infant mortality rates.
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Examine the socio-economic consequences of the changing age-structure of India’s population.
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Write short note : Increasing economic disparities between rural and urban populations.
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Write short note : Positive and preventive checks on population.
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Bring out the socio-cultural constraints in population control in rural areas. Suggest steps to make population control measures more effective.
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Write short note : The demographic transition.
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Discuss the salient features of the demographic situation in India. What are the prospects of reducing the birth rate and stabilising it in the near future?
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Write short note: Rural urban migration.
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What do you understand by population dynamics? Discuss the social dimensions of population control and family welfare programmes in India.
Unit 07
Challenges of Social Transformation
PYQ Solutions