Model answers for these questions. 99 UPSC questions from Social Change in Modern Society (1985–2026) are solved in Sociology Optional PYQ Solutions, with a full model answer for each. Use the View answer links in the table, or open the whole unit topic-wise, newest year first.

YearQuestionAnswer
2026Critically evaluate the relevance of the cyclical theory of social change in understanding contemporary societies. (20 marks)View answer
2026Discuss the role of geographical factors in social change and development. (10 marks)View answer
2026Evaluate the socio-economic impacts of migration on rural households. (20 marks)View answer
2025What do you understand by sustainable development? Discuss the elements of sustainable development as proposed in the UNDP's Sustainable Development Goals Report-2015. (20 marks)View answer
2024Critically examine the World-Systems theory Of Immanuel Wallerstein in terms ofdevelopment and dependency of various nations.View answer
2024Discuss various theories of social change. Explain the limitations of unilinear theory ofsocial change.View answer
2024Critically examine the roles of science and technology in social change. What is youropinion on their increasing trend in ‘online’ education and teaching?View answer
2023Assess critically A. G. Frank's theory of development of underdevelopment'.View answer
2022Trace the trajectory of development perspectives on social change.View answer
2021Critically examine the contribution of dependency theories in understanding the present global scenario.View answer
2020Technology has accelerated the process of development and dependency. DiscussView answer
2019Feminist scholars argue that 'New media' is masculine and hence reinforces structural hierarchies rather than reconfiguring them. Comment.View answer
2019Criticize A.G. Frank's 'development of underdevelopment'.View answer
2018Does collapse of functionalism and bankruptcy of Marxism coincide with the rupture of modernity? Discuss.View answer
2018Is the theory of cultural lag valid in present times? Discuss.View answer
2017Assess the role of mass media as an agent of social change.View answer
2017Examine any two theories of social change in detailView answer
2016“Social conflict is both a cause and a consequence of social change” Explain.View answer
2016"Social change can be brought about through development". Illustrate from the contemporary situation of IndiaView answer
2015Explain the relevance of the idea of ‘cultural lag’ in understanding social change.View answer
2015Examine the dialectical relation between tradition and modernity in the study of social change.View answer
2014Write a short essay on the Latin American perspective on ‘dependency’.View answer
2013Examine the social dimensions of displacement induced by development. (150 words)View answer
2013Illustrate the conflicts and tensions experienced by societies undergoing social change.View answer
2013Critically examine the cultural theories of social change with suitable examples.View answer
2012Write short note on the following from a sociological perspective: Theory of Cultural Lag – Ogburn and Nimkoff.View answer
2012‘Revolutionary changes have some specific characteristics.’ Discuss with examples.View answer
2011Write short note on Development and Dependency from a sociological perspective. (In about 150 words)View answer
2011“Social support mechanism needs to be strengthened for effective implementation of development programmes.” Comment.View answer
2011Discuss World System Theory in the context of modern society.View answer
2010Examine the social dimensions of displacement induced by development.View answer
2009Comment on the critics’ charge that Immanuel Wallerstein’s dependency theory is simplistic and wrong.View answer
2008Write short note : Education as an agent of social change.View answer
2006State significance of social policy in social development. Under what conditions a social policy fails to be effective in its performance ?View answer
2006Human factors involved in directed social change.View answer
2005Discuss mass education as an instrument of social change and modernization.View answer
2004Bring out a comparative analysis of Marxian and Parsonian views of social change and examine the relevance of each view for social development in the contemporary India.View answer
2001Define ‘social policy’. Evaluate the performance of social policy in modernisation of developing societies.View answer
2000Pit rim A. Sorokin sees the course of history as a continuous but irregular fluctuation between two basically different kinds of culture. While explaining this stand of Sorokin, analyse whether it is appropriate to characterize such a notion of change as a cyclical theory of social change.View answer
1999Elaborate on the concept of structural change. Discuss the endogenic factors of structural change in a society, with suitable examples.View answer
1996Critically examine the impact of traditional social structures on the development and functioning of a democratic policy.View answer
1995Explain the classical concept of social change and critically examine the contribution of the linear theories of social change.View answer
1994What is social policy and its relevance to social development? Under what circumstances social policy becomes a hindrance in social development?View answer
1991Write short note : Modernisation.View answer
1990Write short note : Directed social change.View answer
1989How far are social policy and directed social change effective in social development ?View answer
1988Write short note : Theory of underdevelopment.View answer
1985Write short note : Planned development in a democracy.View answer
1985Has development been successful in removing poverty ? Can you relate development to progress ?View answer
1984Examine the relationship between social structure and social change. Has the Indian social structure facilitated or hindered the process of change ?View answer

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