Unlock Elite Access: Level Up Your Preparation with Exclusive Content

Sociology Optional PYQ Solutions · Model answer

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?

  • UPSC 1985
  • Caste System

The two words are often used interchangeably, but Louis Dumont made the difference a matter of principle: hierarchy is a religiously grounded ordering of a whole by a single value, whereas social stratification is the general sociological category for any arrangement of ranked strata. Which term suits caste depends on whether one is describing caste's…

You are reading the opening of the model answer. The full answer is part of Sociology Optional PYQ Solutions.

What the full answer covers

  • Hierarchy
  • Social stratification
  • Which term fits caste better
  • Conclusion

Unlock this answer and 1,500+ more

  • 1,500+ solved UPSC Sociology PYQs from 1985 to 2026, Paper-1 and Paper-2
  • Topic-wise across all 25 syllabus units, newest exam year first
  • A full model answer for every question, shaped to 10 or 20 marks, with thinkers and Indian examples
  • Read online on lotusarise.com, plus PDF download

₹1,499₹2,50040% off

Get Sociology Optional PYQ Solutions @ ₹1,499 →

One-time payment · 12 months of access · Instant access · UPI, cards, RuPay

See every Caste System question (92 solved) →Already enrolled? Log in