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UPSC CSE Mains 2020 — Sociology Questions with Answers
All 56 Sociology previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2020, 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
How did the intellectual forces lead to the emergence of sociology? Discuss.
- Q2.General Sociology
Is sociology a value-free science? Discuss.
- Q3.Research Methods & Methodology
Methodology is a system of rules, principles and procedures, which forms scientific investigation. Comment.
- Q4.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
'Ideal Types' of Max Weber are mental constructs, they do not correspond to the reality. Give your views.
- Q5.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
Analyse the relevance of 'Pattern variables' in the study of social change.
- Q6.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
What are the reactions of R.K. Merton to the functionalism of social anthropologists? Bring out the limitations of latent functions.
- Q7.General Sociology
How are Hierarchy and Exclusion the major impediments in the transformation of societies? Discuss.
- Q8.Politics & Society
Explain democracy as an order of society. What are the factors preventing people's participation in politics?
- Q9.Work & Economic Life
Capitalism has brought increasing informalisation of work in society. Substantiate your answer.
- Q10.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
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.
- Q11.Kinship, Marriage & Family
Discuss the consequences of Across Region marriage on kinship system in modern Indian society.
- Q12.Science, Technology & Society
Is humanity at the mercy of Nature, Science and Technology? Comment in the light of pandemic situation.
- Q13.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
According to Durkheim, "The major function of education is the transmission of society's norms and values." Discuss.
- Q14.Social Stratification & Mobility
Critically assess social mobility in closed and open systems.
- Q15.Social Change & Movements
In the context of globalisation, has the scope of sociology been changing in India? Comment.
- Q16.Research Methods & Methodology
Discuss the importance and sources of hypothesis in social research.
- Q17.Research Methods & Methodology
What are the problems in observing social facts in Durkheim's views?
- Q18.Religion & Society
State the reasons for the various religious beliefs and practices in pre-modern societies.
- Q19.Kinship, Marriage & Family
Does the institution of marriage continue to be sacred in Indian society? Comment.
- Q20.Work & Economic Life
Discuss the new labour codes and their impact on formal and informal labour in India.
- Q21.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
According to Mills, "Elites rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms." Comment.
- Q22.Research Methods & Methodology
Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of social survey method in social research.
- Q23.Social Change & Movements
Technology has accelerated the process of development and dependency. Discuss.
- Q24.Research Methods & Methodology
Phenomenological perspectives in sociology reject many of the assumptions of positivism. Comment.
- Q25.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
Critically assess the Marxian theory of 'Alienation'.
- Q26.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
How does Marx view social conflict as an essential element in social change?
- Q27.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
What is the impact of gender division of labour on the development of society?
- Q28.Social Change & Movements
Examine how social movements come to an end. Illustrate with examples.
- Q29.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
Elaborate A.R. Desai's perspective to the study of Indian society.
- Q30.Caste System
"Banning practice of 'Sati' is attributed to annihilation of a major social evil in colonial India." Comment.
- Q31.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
How do you justify Dumont's deliberate stress on ideology that produces intellectualized account of Indian society?
- Q32.Tribal Society
Explain the definitional problems concerning the tribal communities in India.
- Q33.Religion & Secularism
"Secularism was an outcome of 20th century humanistic radicalism." Comment on this statement.
- Q34.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
"Indian caste system is unique and has been unhealthy for the growth of sociology of India." How far do you agree with this view?
- Q35.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
Discuss Whitehead's contention that caste has potential to displace class and colonial contradiction.
- Q36.Agrarian & Rural Society
"Indian rural society is a faction-ridden society." Discuss.
- Q37.Tribal Society
Examine the colonial policy of segregation of tribes under the Government of India Act, 1935.
- Q38.General Sociology
Discuss the dynamics of 'migrant workers' in India in the context of Corona pandemic.
- Q39.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
How does Andre Beteille justify 'middle class' in India?
- Q40.General Sociology
Discuss the conceptual issues about lineage and descent in India. Give suitable illustrations.
- Q41.General Sociology
Analyze household dimensions of family in India.
- Q42.Religion & Secularism
Write a note on cultural pluralism in multi-religious society like India.
- Q43.Agrarian & Rural Society
Point out the benefits of 'green chemistry' for agrarian transformation in India.
- Q44.Politics, Movements & Democracy
Analyze the issues related to the citizenship in contemporary India. Give suitable illustrations.
- Q45.Population & Social Problems
Give an account of the consequences and remedies of chronic malnutrition in India.
- Q46.Development, Planning & Education
How does the New Education Policy, 2020 aim to eradicate disparities in the system of education in India?
- Q47.Politics, Movements & Democracy
What do you understand by democratic federalism? How does it promote decentralization of power in India?
- Q48.Development, Planning & Education
Discuss in detail the main issues of development planning in mixed economy like India.
- Q49.Agrarian & Rural Society
Do you think MSP (Minimum Support Price) Scheme for agriculture can help in rural development? Elaborate your response with suitable examples.
- Q50.Development, Planning & Education
How can skill development programme induce social change? Illustrate.
- Q51.Industry, Urbanisation & Labour
Elaborate the causes, consequences and other concerns of growth of urban settlements in India.
- Q52.Environment & Ecology
Evaluate the nature and scope of anthropogenic influence on Climate in India and also analyze the environmental movements arising out of it.
- Q53.Agrarian & Rural Society
Are the contemporary farmers' movements in India changing their course? Discuss.
- Q54.General Sociology
Colonial administrators helped to construct the very traditionalism which marked the Indian society as 'backward'. Comment critically.
- Q55.Population & Social Problems
What were the salient features of the India's Population Policy (2000)? How far its goals have been achieved?
- Q56.Population & Social Problems
Point out the main causes of 'child labour' in India. How far the State policies have succeeded in its elimination?
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