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UPSC CSE Mains 2018 — Sociology Questions with Answers
All 56 Sociology previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2018, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice Sociology as a timed test →- Q1.General Sociology
The focal point of sociology rests on interaction. How do you distinguish it from common sense?
- Q2.Research Methods & Methodology
Distinguish between fact and value in Weber's Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism.
- Q3.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
Do you think I and Me are central terms in Mead's work?
- Q4.Social Stratification & Mobility
What is the difference between natural and social inequality? Give examples from caste and class dimensions.
- Q5.Kinship, Marriage & Family
What are the new forms of family in developed societies? Discuss.
- Q6.Research Methods & Methodology
Is non-positivistic methodology scientific? Illustrate.
- Q7.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
Explain Durkheim's basic arguments on suicide. Can you analyse high suicide rates of contemporary Indian society with Durkheim's theory?
- Q8.Social Stratification & Mobility
Evaluate if social stratification is functional for society.
- Q9.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
Does collapse of functionalism and bankruptcy of Marxism coincide with the rupture of modernity? Discuss.
- Q10.Kinship, Marriage & Family
Define patriarchy. How does patriarchy manifest in interpersonal relations?
- Q11.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
What is the difference between anomie in Merton and Durkheim? Explain.
- Q12.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
According to Marx, how are human beings alienated from their human potential and what does he suggest to change this?
- Q13.Social Stratification & Mobility
Schooling does not ensure upward mobility of all members of this society. Discuss with reference to class societies.
- Q14.Religion & Society
Discuss the challenges thrown by religious revivalism to a secular nation-state.
- Q15.Religion & Society
Is the theory of cultural lag valid in present times? Discuss.
- Q16.Social Change & Movements
Are social movements primordial in means and progressive in agenda? Explain.
- Q17.Research Methods & Methodology
Does scientific method make Sociology a Science? Illustrate your answer with Durkheim's method.
- Q18.Research Methods & Methodology
Distinguish between qualitative techniques of data collection with suitable examples from Indian society.
- Q19.Research Methods & Methodology
Is social mobility possible in closed systems of stratification? Illustrate from research work.
- Q20.Work & Economic Life
Discuss the nature of social organization of work in capitalist society with reference to the limits of the working day.
- Q21.Kinship, Marriage & Family
Distinguish between family and household with reference to the concept of development of the household.
- Q22.Research Methods & Methodology
Explain with examples, the explanatory and exploratory designs of social research.
- Q23.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
How can Parsons' AGIL framework be used to analyse key problems in a society? Discuss.
- Q24.Work & Economic Life
What is labour commitment? Discuss it with reference to studies of manufacturing industry.
- Q25.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
What, according to Pareto, are the basic characteristics of elites? Discuss.
- Q26.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
"The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relationship between the two in a society." (C.W. Mills). Explain.
- Q27.Religion & Society
What are sects? Discuss their role in multi-religious societies with empirical examples.
- Q28.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
In what way did Durkheim perceive religion as functional to society?
- Q29.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
Write a note on G.S. Ghurye's Indological perspective of understanding Indian society.
- Q30.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
Give a critical analysis of Andre Beteille's study of Tanjore village.
- Q31.Politics, Movements & Democracy
Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. Discuss.
- Q32.Women & Gender
Write a note on the changing roles of middle-class women in India.
- Q33.Religion & Secularism
Discuss the growth of religious sects in India.
- Q34.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
Analyse A.R. Desai's views on India's path of development.
- Q35.Agrarian & Rural Society
Examine sociological dynamics of Champaran Peasant Movement in colonial India.
- Q36.General Sociology
How do the recommendations of Swaminathan Commissions (2004-2006) ensure food and nutrition security for the Indian masses?
- Q37.Caste System
What do you understand by discrete castes and muddled hierarchies? Substantiate your answer with suitable illustrations.
- Q38.Tribal Society
Discuss development induced displacement in the context of tribal uprising in India. Substantiate your answer with any one detailed illustration from India.
- Q39.General Sociology
Illustrate the importance of 'Kanyadan' and 'Kulabadhu' in changing institution of marriage and family.
- Q40.General Sociology
How has the New Economic Policy (1991) affected the lifestyle and life chances in new middle class in India?
- Q41.Religion & Secularism
Write a critical narrative on the concerns of religious minorities in India.
- Q42.Women & Gender
Discuss the issues relating to the entitlement of transgender in Indian society.
- Q43.Caste System
Elaborate the concept of constitutional morality as given by B.R. Ambedkar.
- Q44.Population & Social Problems
Construct a sociological narrative on the increasing trend of child abuse in India.
- Q45.Agrarian & Rural Society
Explain the dynamics of neo-farmers movement in contemporary India.
- Q46.Women & Gender
Assess the role of the State in promoting education of girl child.
- Q47.Women & Gender
Elaborate the 'Me Too' Movement and its impact in India.
- Q48.Industry, Urbanisation & Labour
How do you relate the growth of development of metropoles and its impact on the mental and social life of people in India?
- Q49.Agrarian & Rural Society
Has Green Revolution led to the formation of new power elite in rural India? Elaborate your answer.
- Q50.Industry, Urbanisation & Labour
Write a note on Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development (IHSD) programme provided for the urban poor.
- Q51.Caste System
Has caste system hindered democracy and adult franchise in India? Discuss.
- Q52.Caste System
Elaborate various forms of Dalit assertions in contemporary India. Discuss.
- Q53.Religion & Secularism
With increase in education and economic development is Indian society becoming more secular?
- Q54.Industry, Urbanisation & Labour
What are the issues relating to male migration and its impact on birthrate? Does it necessarily result in skewed sex ratio?
- Q55.Women & Gender
Western patriarchy which surrenders feminine principles is the development project in India. Do you agree with this view? Why?
- Q56.Women & Gender
Assess the impact of ban on 'Triple Talak' on marriage and divorce among the Muslim community in India.
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