Stratification and Mobility

Sociology Optional PYQPs, Sociology Optional
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Model answers for these questions. 80 UPSC questions from Stratification and Mobility (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.

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YearQuestionAnswer
2026Differentiate between social hierarchy and social exclusion and substantiate your answer with reference to the caste system. (20 marks)View answer
2026In what ways do class and caste intersect and overlap in shaping social structure? (10 marks)View answer
2026According to Weber how do class, status and power interact to produce and sustain social inequality? (20 marks)View answer
2025Is the social stratification theory gender-blind? Elucidate. (10 marks)View answer
2025Does the structural-functionalist perspective on social stratification promote a status quo? Give reasons for your answer. (10 marks)View answer
2025Compare the capability deprivation approach with that of social capital deprivation in understanding chronic poverty. (20 marks)View answer
2024Discuss the dimensions of power the construction and maintenance of social hierarchies in a society.View answer
2024Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group.View answer
2024What is social mobility? Critically examine the classification of ‘closed’ and ‘open’ models of social stratification.View answer
2023How is poverty a form of social exclusion? Illustrate in this connection the different dimensions of poverty and social exclusion.View answer
2023Explain Max Weber's theory of social stratification. How does Weber's idea of class differ from that of Marx?View answer
2023Do you think that the boundary line between ethnicity and race is blurred? Justify your answer.View answer
2022How do sociologists construct gender in their analysis on social inequality?View answer
2022Social stratification is claimed to contribute to the maintenance of social order and stability in society. Critically assess.View answer
2022Discuss social mobility in open and closed system.View answer
2021Critically examine Max Weber’s theory of Social Stratification.View answer
2021Explain the growing salience of ethnicity in the contemporary world with illustrations.View answer
2021Explain the concept of social mobility. Describe with suitable illustrations how education and social mobility are related to each other.View answer
2020How are Hierarchy and Exclusion the major impediments in the transformation of societies? Discuss.View answer
2020Critically assess social mobility in closed and open systems.View answer
2019What is affirmative action? Substantiate theoretical positions on affirmative actions with examples.View answer
2019Davis and Moore made it clear that social stratification is a functional necessity and also an unconscious device. Discuss.View answer
2019Compare and contrast the contributions of Marx and Weber on social stratification in capitalist society.View answer
2019Modernisation presupposes class society however, caste, ethnicity and race are still predominant. Explain.View answer
2019Present a sociological review on the 'new middle-class'.View answer
2019Differentiate between 'Life-chances 'and' Life-style 'with suitable examples.View answer
2019Why is gender a dimension of social stratification? How does gender intersect other dimensions of inequality based on caste, class, race and ethnicity?View answer
2018What is the difference between natural and social inequality? Give examples from caste and class dimensions.View answer
2018Evaluate if social stratification is functional for society.View answer
2018Is social mobility possible in closed systems of stratification? Illustrate from research work.View answer
2017Can we equate 'poverty' with 'poor living' ? Elaborate your answer.View answer
2017What is Weberian critique of Marxist notion of social stratification ?View answer
2017Examine gender, ethnicity and race as major dimensions of social stratification.View answer
2016"Vertical mobility brings structural change even in a closed social system." Comment.View answer
2016Elucidate the basic premises of Davis' structural-functional theory of social stratification. How far is it relevant in understanding contemporary Indian society ?View answer
2016Discuss the relationship between poverty and social exclusion.View answer
2015“ No society can either be absolutely open or absolutely closed.” Comment.View answer
2015Differentiate between Marxian and Weberian theories of Social Stratification ?View answer
2014What do you understand by gender ? How does it shape ‘male identity’ ?View answer
2014“According to Max Weber, ‘class’ and ‘status’ are two different dimensions of power.” Discuss.View answer
2014For Marx, class divisions are outcomes of ‘exploitation’. Discuss, (in about 150 words)View answer
2013Critically examine the functionalist tradition in Sociology.View answer
2013How are open and closed systems of stratification undergoing transformation in the emergence of new hierarchical social order in societies ?View answer
2013Distinguish between people being socially excluded and people excluding themselves socially in societies. (150 words)View answer
2013Analyse the gender bias in the present society with examples. (150 words)View answer
2013How do Karl Marx and Max Weber differ in terms of their analysis of social stratification ?
2012Write short note on the following from a sociological perspective: Stratification of class.View answer
2012In our society Hierarchical relations are influenced by social mobility. Explain how?View answer
2011Write short note on The problem of Gender.View answer
2011What is Class ? Do you think that Weber’s contributions to social stratification are different from that of Marx ?View answer
2011What do you mean by social mobility ? Discuss the major sources and causes of mobility ?View answer
2010Write short note on Ethnicity and Development.View answer
2010Examine how open and closed systems of stratification are undergoing transformation in the emergence of new hierarchical social order in societies.View answer
2010Distinguish between people being socially excluded and people excluding themselves socially in societies.View answer
2009What are the reasons for calling Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore’s theory of social stratification a functional theory ?View answer
2008How does hierarchy get built into the systems of natural and social inequalities ?View answer
2008Write short note : Social mobility in open and closed systems.View answer
2007Write short note : Role-conflict and its resolution.View answer
2006Write short note : Caste-system as a principle of social stratification.View answer
2006Write short note : Vertical social mobility.View answer
2005How is vertical and horizontal social mobility problematic in society ? Suggest solutions.View answer
2004‘Socialisation and social control are complementary to each other in maintaining social order.’ – Elucidate you answer with appropriate illustrations.View answer
2004Write short note : Class within Caste and Caste within Class.View answer
2004Briefly discuss the Conflict Perspective on social stratification and examine the view that social inequality in India is the function of rigid social stratification system.View answer
2003Examine 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?View answer
2002Explain Melvin Tlimin’s critique related to the theory of social stratification.View answer
2002Write short note : Social Mobility and social change.View answer
2000Write short note : Inter-generational mobility.View answer
2000Write short note : Role conflict.View answer
1999Discuss 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.View answer
1999How 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 ?View answer
1999Write short note : Role conflict as a source of deviation Analyze critically the functional theory of social stratification.
1998Write short note : Caste as a class .View answer
1998Write short note : Vertical and horizontal mobilityView answer
1997Write short note : Types of mobility.View answer
1996Write short note : Role-Conflict and its resolution.View answer
1995Write short note : Social class and social status.View answer
1993Write short note : Social class and vertical mobilityView answer
1992‘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.View answer
1992Elaborate the concepts of ‘status-consistency’ and status-inconsistency. State the factors responsible for status-inconsistency’ in modem societies.View answer
1991Write short note : Functional theory of stratification.View answer
1991Write short note : Intergeneration mobility.View answer
1990Write short note : Status inconsistency.View answer
1989Write short note : Open and Closed Models of Mobility
1988Write short note : Functional theory of stratification.View answer
1986Write short note : Intergenerational mobility in a caste society.View answer
1985Write short note : Social Mobility.View answer

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