Biotechnology and Ethical Issues
(Relevant for Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
Biotechnology refers to the application of biological systems, living organisms, or components thereof to produce or innovate various goods. While it has ushered in numerous scientific advancements that greatly benefit humanity, it also raises specific ethical considerations.
Some of the ethical considerations around biotechnology are as under:
Ensuring the safety, health, privacy, and confidentiality of human participants in clinical trials.
- Many biotechnology treatments remain inaccessible and unaffordable to a broad population, exacerbating health disparities and inequities.
- Stem cell technology, although still in its nascent stages, is marketed to the public as a proven solution to health problems. Such unethical practices stem from a disregard for human rights and avarice.
- Biotechnology is also exploited for crafting biological weapons, used for personal agendas and the killing of living organisms, displaying moral reprehensibility.
- Gene editing techniques are employed to modify human embryos (designer babies) and reproductive cells, actions often viewed as contrary to both divine and natural intentions.
- Genetically modified organisms, like BT-cotton, are introduced into the environment with potential ecological and climate threats, contravening environmental ethics.
- Ethical considerations encompass principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, informed consent, animal rights, justice, and human dignity.
- The scientific community should be guided by the principles of bioethics, which involve the examination of ethical concerns arising from progress in biology and medicine.
- The scientific community holds the obligation to maintain the utmost standards of biosafety and integrity, aiming to reduce occurrences of misuse and negligence.
- The scientific community should bear in mind one of Gandhi’s seven sins, which is that science without humanity is a sin, and devoid of humanity, science can lead to significant harm.
- Moreover, there are two primary strategies for risk management, as reflected in the contrasting biotechnology stances taken by Americans and other nations:
- Risk-Benefit Approach: This strategy is grounded in the likelihood that benefits outweigh harm. It involves a comprehensive analysis of the issue, assisting decision makers in making well-informed choices.
- Precautionary Approach: This approach, more commonly favored in Europe, stipulates that no product is deemed safe until proven scientifically. This method safeguards individuals from unforeseen complications, as the product or practice is tested before being introduced to them.
To master these intricacies and fare well in the Sociology Optional Syllabus, aspiring sociologists might benefit from guidance by the Best Sociology Optional Teacher and participation in the Best Sociology Optional Coaching. These avenues provide comprehensive assistance, ensuring a solid understanding of sociology’s diverse methodologies and techniques.
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Sociology Optional Syllabus
Course Commencement Information
- Enrolment is limited to a maximum of 250 Seats.
- Course Timings: Evening Batch
- Course Duration: 4.5 Months
- Class Schedule: Monday to Saturday
- Batch Starts from: Admission Open Online Batch
Instructional Format:
- Each class session is scheduled for a duration of two hours.
- At the conclusion of each lecture, an assignment will be distributed by Vikash Ranjan Sir for Paper-I & Paper-II coverage.
Study Material:
- A set of printed booklets will be provided for each topic. These materials are succinct, thoroughly updated, and tailored for examination preparation.
- A compilation of previous years’ question papers (spanning the last 27 years) will be supplied for answer writing practice.
- Access to PDF versions of toppers’ answer booklets will be available on our website.
- Post-course, you will receive two practice workbooks containing a total of 10 sets of mock test papers based on the UPSC format for self-assessment.
Additional Provisions:
- In the event of missed classes, video lectures will be temporarily available on the online portal for reference.
- Daily one-on-one doubt resolution sessions with Vikash Ranjan Sir will be organized post-class.
Syllabus of Sociology Optional
Paper-1
FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY
- Sociology – The Discipline
- Sociology as Science:
- Research Methods and Analysis:
- Sociological Thinkers:
- Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle.
- Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society.
- Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
- Talcott Parsons- Social system, pattern variables.
- Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.
- Mead – Self and identity.
- Stratification and Mobility:
- Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation.
- Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
- Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.
- Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.
- Works andEconomic Life:
- Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist society
- Formal and informal organization of work.
- Labour and society.
- Politics and Society:
- Sociological theories of power.
- Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
- Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
- Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.
- Religion and Society:
- Sociological theories of religion.
- Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.
- Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.
- Systems of Kinship:
- Family, household, marriage.
- Types and forms of family.
- Lineage and descent.
- Patriarchy and sexual division of labour.
- Contemporary trends.
- Social Change in Modern Society:
- Sociological theories of social change.
- Development and dependency.
- Agents of social change.
- Education and social change.
- Science, technology and social change.
Paper-2
INDIAN SOCIETY: STRUCTURE AND CHANGE
INTRODUCING INDIAN SOCIETY
- Perspectives on the study of Indian society:
- Indology (GS. Ghurye).
- Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
- Marxist sociology (A R Desai).
- Impact of colonial rule on Indian society :
- Social background of Indian nationalism.
- Modernization of Indian tradition.
- Protests and movements during the colonial period.
- Social reforms.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
- Perspectives on the study of Indian society:
- The idea of Indian village and village studies.
- Agrarian social structure – evolution of land tenure system, land reforms.
- Caste System:
- Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
- Features of caste system.
- Untouchability – forms and perspectives.
- Tribal communities in India
- Definitional problems.
- Geographical spread.
- Colonial policies and tribes.
- Issues of integration and autonomy.
- Social Classes in India:
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- Agrarian class structure.
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- Industrial class structure.
- Middle classes in India.
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- Systems of Kinship in India:
- Lineage and descent in India.
- Types of kinship systems.
- Family and marriage in India.
- Household dimensions of the family.
- Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour
- Religion and Society:
- Religious communities in India.
- Problems of religious minorities.
- Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour
SOCIAL CHANGES IN INDIA
- Visions of Social Change in India:
- Idea of development planning and mixed economy
- Constitution, law and social change.
- Education and social change.
- Rural and Agrarian transformation in India:
- Programmes of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives,poverty alleviation schemes
- Green revolution and social change.
- Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
- Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.
3. Industrialization and Urbanisation in India:
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- Evolution of modern industry in India.
- Growth of urban settlements in India.
- Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
- Informal sector, child labour
- Slums and deprivation in urban areas.
4. Politics and Society:
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- Nation, democracy and citizenship.
- Political parties, pressure groups , social and political elite
- Regionalism and decentralization of power.
- Secularization
5. Social Movements in Modern India:
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- Peasants and farmers movements.
- Women’s movement.
- Backward classes & Dalit movement.
- Environmental movements.
- Ethnicity and Identity movements.
6. Population Dynamics:
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- Population size, growth, composition and distribution
- Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
- Population policy and family planning.
- Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.
7. Challenges of Social Transformation:
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- Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems and sustainability
- Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
- Violence against women.
- Caste conflicts.
- Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
- Illiteracy and disparities in education.
About Vikash Ranjan Sir
Vikash Ranjan Sir
(Best Sociology Optional Teacher, Educator, Mentor & Author)
Mr. Vikash Ranjan, arguably the Best Sociology Optional Teacher, has emerged as a versatile genius in teaching and writing books on Sociology & General Studies. His approach to the Sociology Optional Syllabus / Sociology Syllabus is remarkable, and his Sociological Themes and Perspectives are excellent. His teaching aptitude is Simple, Easy and Exam Focused. He is often chosen as the Best Sociology Teacher for Sociology Optional UPSC aspirants.
About Triumph IAS
Innovating Knowledge, Inspiring Success We, at Triumph IAS, pride ourselves on being the best sociology optional coaching platform. We believe that each Individual Aspirant is unique and requires Individual Guidance and Care, hence the need for the Best Sociology Teacher. We prepare students keeping in mind his or her strength and weakness, paying particular attention to the Sociology Optional Syllabus / Sociology Syllabus, which forms a significant part of our Sociology Foundation Course.
Course Features
Every day, the Best Sociology Optional Teacher spends 2 hours with the students, covering each aspect of the Sociology Optional Syllabus / Sociology Syllabus and the Sociology Course. Students are given assignments related to the Topic based on Previous Year Question to ensure they’re ready for the Sociology Optional UPSC examination.
Regular one-on-one interaction & individual counseling for stress management and refinement of strategy for Exam by Vikash Ranjan Sir, the Best Sociology Teacher, is part of the package. We specialize in sociology optional coaching and are hence fully equipped to guide you to your dream space in the civil service final list.
Specialist Guidance of Vikash Ranjan Sir
The Best Sociology Teacher helps students to get a complete conceptual understanding of each and every topic of the Sociology Optional Syllabus / Sociology Syllabus, enabling them to attempt any of the questions, be direct or applied, ensuring 300+ Marks in Sociology Optional.
Classrooms Interaction & Participatory Discussion
The Best Sociology Teacher, Vikash Sir, ensures that there’s explanation & DISCUSSION on every topic of the Sociology Optional Syllabus / Sociology Syllabus in the class. The emphasis is not just on teaching but also on understanding, which is why we are known as the Best Sociology Optional Coaching institution.
Preparatory-Study Support
Online Support System (Oss)
Get access to an online forum for value addition study material, journals, and articles relevant to Sociology on www.triumphias.com. Ask preparation related queries directly to the Best Sociology Teacher, Vikash Sir, via mail or WhatsApp.
Strategic Classroom Preparation
Comprehensive Study Material
We provide printed booklets of concise, well-researched, exam-ready study material for every unit of the Sociology Optional Syllabus / Sociology Syllabus, making us the Best Sociology Optional Coaching platform.
Why Vikash Ranjan’s Classes for Sociology?
Proper guidance and assistance are required to learn the skill of interlinking current happenings with the conventional topics. VIKASH RANJAN SIR at TRIUMPH IAS guides students according to the Recent Trends of UPSC, making him the Best Sociology Teacher for Sociology Optional UPSC.
At Triumph IAS, the Best Sociology Optional Coaching platform, we not only provide the best study material and applied classes for Sociology for IAS but also conduct regular assignments and class tests to assess candidates’ writing skills and understanding of the subject.
Choose The Best Sociology Optional Teacher for IAS Preparation?
At the beginning of the journey for Civil Services Examination preparation, many students face a pivotal decision – selecting their optional subject. Questions such as “which optional subject is the best?” and “which optional subject is the most scoring?” frequently come to mind. Choosing the right optional subject, like choosing the best sociology optional teacher, is a subjective yet vital step that requires a thoughtful decision based on facts. A misstep in this crucial decision can indeed prove disastrous.
Ever since the exam pattern was revamped in 2013, the UPSC has eliminated the need for a second optional subject. Now, candidates have to choose only one optional subject for the UPSC Mains, which has two papers of 250 marks each. One of the compelling choices for many has been the sociology optional. However, it’s strongly advised to decide on your optional subject for mains well ahead of time to get sufficient time to complete the syllabus. After all, most students score similarly in General Studies Papers; it’s the score in the optional subject & essay that contributes significantly to the final selection.
“A sound strategy does not rely solely on the popular
Opinion of toppers or famous YouTubers cum teachers.”
It requires understanding one’s ability, interest, and the relevance of the subject, not just for the exam but also for life in general. Hence, when selecting the best sociology teacher, one must consider the usefulness of sociology optional coaching in General Studies, Essay, and Personality Test.
The choice of the optional subject should be based on objective criteria, such as the nature, scope, and size of the syllabus, uniformity and stability in the question pattern, relevance of the syllabic content in daily life in society, and the availability of study material and guidance. For example, choosing the best sociology optional coaching can ensure access to top-quality study materials and experienced teachers. Always remember, the approach of the UPSC optional subject differs from your academic studies of subjects. Therefore, before settling for sociology optional, you need to analyze the syllabus, previous years’ pattern, subject requirements (be it ideal, visionary, numerical, conceptual theoretical), and your comfort level with the subject.
This decision marks a critical point in your UPSC – CSE journey, potentially determining your success in a career in IAS/Civil Services. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose wisely, whether it’s the optional subject or the best sociology optional teacher. Always base your decision on accurate facts, and never let your emotional biases guide your choices. After all, the search for the best sociology optional coaching is about finding the perfect fit for your unique academic needs and aspirations.
To master these intricacies and fare well in the Sociology Optional Syllabus, aspiring sociologists might benefit from guidance by the Best Sociology Optional Teacher and participation in the Best Sociology Optional Coaching. These avenues provide comprehensive assistance, ensuring a solid understanding of sociology’s diverse methodologies and techniques. Sociology, Social theory, Best Sociology Optional Teacher, Best Sociology Optional Coaching, Sociology Optional Syllabus.
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