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UPSC CSE Mains 2024 — Sociology Questions with Answers
All 56 Sociology previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2024, 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
Discuss the nature of Sociology. Highlight its relationship with Social Anthropology.
- Q2.Social Stratification & Mobility
Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group.
- Q3.Kinship, Marriage & Family
Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from 'ritual' to 'commercial' in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change.
- Q4.Politics & Society
Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment.
- Q5.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
What are the 'basic and irreducible' functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons? Explain.
- Q6.General Sociology
Sociology is the product of European enlightenment and renaissance. Critically examine this statement.
- Q7.Research Methods & Methodology
Do you think 'objectivity' is an over-hyped idea in sociological research? Discuss the merits and demerits of non-positivist methods.
- Q8.Social Stratification & Mobility
What is social mobility? Critically examine the classification of 'closed' and 'open' models of social stratification.
- Q9.Research Methods & Methodology
How do you view and assess the increasing trend of digital ethnography and use of visual culture in sociological research?
- Q10.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
Describe the main idea of Max Weber's book, 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism' as a critique of Marxism.
- Q11.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
Critically explain the salient features of 'alienation' as propounded by Karl Marx.
- Q12.Research Methods & Methodology
What do you understand by 'mixed method'? Discuss its strengths and limitations in social research.
- Q13.Work & Economic Life
Define the concept of 'gig' economy and discuss its impact on labour market and workers' social security net.
- Q14.Work & Economic Life
Critically assess the impact of technological advancement and automation on the nature of work and employment.
- Q15.Research Methods & Methodology
Describe various characteristics of a 'social fact'. How is rate of suicide a social fact according to Durkheim?
- Q16.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
Explain G.H. Mead's idea of development of 'self' through the 'generalised other'.
- Q17.Work & Economic Life
Describe the differing principles of work organization in feudal and capitalist societies.
- Q18.Sociological Theory & Thinkers
How is 'power' different from 'authority'? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber.
- Q19.Social Change & Movements
Critically examine the roles of science and technology in social change. What is your opinion on their increasing trend in 'online' education and teaching?
- Q20.Social Change & Movements
Underline the role of social media in contemporary social movements and describe its challenges.
- Q21.Religion & Society
How does a multicultural society accommodate diversities of all kinds - ethnic, linguistic and religious? Discuss its major challenges.
- Q22.Religion & Society
Discuss the concept of animism and differentiate it from naturism.
- Q23.Religion & Society
Do modernization and secularization necessarily go together? Give your views.
- Q24.Religion & Society
How do you understand the phenomena of the mushrooming of sects and cults in contemporary society? Discuss the factors responsible for the trend.
- Q25.Politics & Society
Discuss the dimensions of power in the construction and maintenance of social hierarchies in a society.
- Q26.General Sociology
Modern families have not just become nuclear and neo-local, but also filiocentric. How do you explain this trend?
- Q27.Social Change & Movements
Discuss various theories of social change. Explain the limitations of unilinear theory of social change.
- Q28.Social Change & Movements
Critically examine the World-Systems theory of Immanuel Wallerstein.
- Q29.Caste System
What, according to you, are the factors responsible for the continuance of caste system in India? Explain.
- Q30.Industry, Urbanisation & Labour
Discuss the changes taking place in the industrial class structure in India.
- Q31.Women & Gender
Is patriarchy a key to understanding different forms of inequalities in Indian society? Elaborate.
- Q32.General Sociology
Do you think that family bondings are being affected by the changing kinship patterns in India? Comment.
- Q33.Population & Social Problems
Despite the efforts of the government, bonded labour still continues in India. Discuss.
- Q34.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
Differentiate between 'Western' and 'Indological' perspectives on the study of Indian society. Bring out the major aspects of G.S. Ghurye's contribution to 'Indological' approach.
- Q35.Tribal Society
What are the definitional problems involved in identifying tribes in India? Discuss the main obstacles to tribal development in India.
- Q36.Indian Sociology: Perspectives & Thinkers
What, according to Andre Beteille, are the bases of agrarian class structure in India? Analyse.
- Q37.General Sociology
Why is the study of marriage important in Sociology? Analyse the implications of changing marriage patterns for Indian society.
- Q38.Women & Gender
Do you think that the constitutional provisions for women have led to their uplift? Give reasons for your answer.
- Q39.Development, Planning & Education
Education is a key to social development. Elucidate.
- Q40.Religion & Secularism
How do religious communities contribute to the cultural diversity of India?
- Q41.Religion & Secularism
What do you understand by decentralisation of power? What is its role in strengthening the roots of democracy in India? Elaborate.
- Q42.Caste System
What are the different forms of untouchability still practised in India? Discuss with suitable illustrations.
- Q43.Industry, Urbanisation & Labour
Examine with suitable examples the recent trends in the growth of urban settlements in India.
- Q44.Industry, Urbanisation & Labour
Is there a connection between labour migration and informal sector? Justify your answer with reference to Indian context.
- Q45.Industry, Urbanisation & Labour
Are slums the manifestations of industrialisation and urbanisation in India? Explain.
- Q46.Politics, Movements & Democracy
Discuss the changing nature of political elites in India.
- Q47.Agrarian & Rural Society
What is your assessment about the recent farmers' movement in India? Elaborate.
- Q48.Women & Gender
Discuss the major challenges related to women's reproductive health in India. What measures would you suggest to overcome these challenges?
- Q49.Development, Planning & Education
What is sustainable development? How can sustainability be achieved in India where livelihood needs conflict with environmental protection?
- Q50.Development, Planning & Education
Critically examine the relevance of development planning in India.
- Q51.Tribal Society
Analyse the trilogy between environmental movement, development and tribal identity.
- Q52.Women & Gender
To what extent have the legal provisions been effective in curbing violence against women in India? Give your argument.
- Q53.Caste System
Trace the social and historical origins of Dalit movements in modern India.
- Q54.Politics, Movements & Democracy
Highlight the major contributions of the reform movements in pre-independent India.
- Q55.Agrarian & Rural Society
Identify different forms of inequalities associated with agrarian social structure in India.
- Q56.Politics, Movements & Democracy
What are pressure groups? Discuss their role in decision-making in democracy.
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