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UPSC CSE Mains 2022Sociology Questions with Answers

All 56 Sociology previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2022, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

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  1. Q1.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: Elaborate on M.N. Srinivas's structural functionalist approach to the study of Indian society.

  2. Q2.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: Do you agree that the agrarian class structure in India is changing? Justify your answer with illustrations.

  3. Q3.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: Elucidate the challenges of integration for tribal communities in India.

  4. Q4.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: In the context of changing Indian society, how do you view Andre Beteille's conceptions of harmonic and disharmonic social structures?

  5. Q5.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: Explain Leela Dube's concept of 'Seed and Earth'.

  6. Q6.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine G.S. Ghurye's Indological approach to the understanding of Indian society.

  7. Q7.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Elaborate on the changing nature of caste system with suitable illustrations.

  8. Q8.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the problem of religious minorities in India and suggest measures to solve them.

  9. Q9.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine Yogendra Singh's thesis on 'Modernization of Indian Tradition'.

  10. Q10.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the material basis of patriarchy as an ideological system.

  11. Q11.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Explain the different forms of untouchability in India.

  12. Q12.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Examine the social background of the growth of Indian nationalism.

  13. Q13.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Explain how land reforms brought about desired agrarian transformation.

  14. Q14.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the challenges during village studies in India.

  15. Q15.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: Discuss law as an important instrument for women's empowerment.

  16. Q16.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: Examine different understandings of secularization in India.

  17. Q17.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: How do you view the growth of informal sector in India?

  18. Q18.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: Discuss the role of pressure groups in strengthening democracy.

  19. Q19.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, in about 150 words: What role do co-operatives play in poverty alleviation in rural India?

  20. Q20.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Examine whether rural bondage still continues to be a social reality. Give your argument.

  21. Q21.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Define ethnicity. Discuss the factors responsible for the growth of ethnic movements in India.

  22. Q22.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the changing nature of the structure of political elites.

  23. Q23.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    'Instead of promoting equality in society, the present system of education itself has contributed to increased socio-economic disparities.' Comment.

  24. Q24.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Discuss recent trends in the structure of migration.

  25. Q25.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Discuss different forms of deprivation associated with slums.

  26. Q26.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Bring out the various issues involved in Dalit movements in India.

  27. Q27.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the dialectics between 'development and environment'.

  28. Q28.Sociology Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the changing nature of the industrial working class.

  29. Q29.Sociological Theory & Thinkers

    Delimit the scope of Sociology in relation to other social sciences.

  30. Q30.Research Methods & Methodology

    How does a researcher achieve objectivity in interpretative research ?

  31. Q31.Research Methods & Methodology

    The difference between information and data in social science is subtle. Comment.

  32. Q32.Sociological Theory & Thinkers

    Durkheim argued that society is more than the sum of individual acts. Discuss.

  33. Q33.Social Stratification & Mobility

    How do sociologists construct gender in their analysis on social inequality ?

  34. Q34.Sociological Theory & Thinkers

    What aspects of ‘Enlightenment’ do you think paved way for the emergence of sociology ? Elaborate.

  35. Q35.Research Methods & Methodology

    Explain the different types of non-probability sampling techniques. Bring out the conditions of their usage with appropriate examples.

  36. Q36.Social Stratification & Mobility

    Discuss social mobility in open and closed system.

  37. Q37.Research Methods & Methodology

    What are the shortfalls of positivist philosophy that gave rise to the non-positivist methods of studying social reality ?

  38. Q38.Sociological Theory & Thinkers

    Critically examine how Durkheim and Merton explicate Anomie.

  39. Q39.Research Methods & Methodology

    Suggest measures to minimize the influence of the researcher in the process of collecting data through focus group discussion.

  40. Q40.Work & Economic Life

    What characterizes degradation of work in capitalist society according to Marx ?

  41. Q41.Social Stratification & Mobility

    Social stratification is claimed to contribute to the maintenance of social order and stability in society. Critically assess.

  42. Q42.Research Methods & Methodology

    What is reliability ? Explain the different tests available to social science researcher to establish reliability.

  43. Q43.Religion & Society

    Critically examine the relevance of Durkheim’s views on religion in contemporary society.

  44. Q44.Kinship, Marriage & Family

    Discuss various theoretical perspectives on the family.

  45. Q45.Work & Economic Life

    Explain the implications of feminization of work in the developing societies.

  46. Q46.Religion & Society

    Write a note on global trends of secularization.

  47. Q47.Social Change & Movements

    Trace the trajectory of development perspectives on social change.

  48. Q48.Sociological Theory & Thinkers

    According to Mead the idea of self develops when the individual becomes self-conscious. Explain.

  49. Q49.Politics, Movements & Democracy

    Analyse the nature of transition from ideology to identity politics in India.

  50. Q50.Religion & Society

    How do little tradition and great tradition coexist in contemporary Indian society ?

  51. Q51.Sociological Theory & Thinkers

    Critically analyse Parsons views on society as a social system.

  52. Q52.Social Change & Movements

    Discuss how ‘environmentalism’ can be explained with new social movements approach.

  53. Q53.Politics, Movements & Democracy

    Illustrate with examples the role of pressure groups in the formulation of social policies.

  54. Q54.Science Technology & Society

    Sociologists argue for democratization of science and technology for inclusive development. Comment.

  55. Q55.Social Change & Movements

    Are traditional social institutions getting weakened as agents of social change in the contemporary society ? Substantiate.

  56. Q56.Social Stratification & Mobility

    How do you understand the relationship between patriarchy and social development ?

UPSC CSE Mains 2022 — other subjects

Sociology — other years

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