[Paper-1 : SOCIOLOGY OPTIONAL]
UPSC MAINS CIVIL SERVICES IAS EXAM 2026 QUESTION PAPER
“Download Sociology Optional Paper 1 2026”
Marks : 250
Duration: 3 hours
Exam Date: 30 August 2026
Subject: Sociology Optional Paper 1 2026
Section = A
Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50
1. (a) In what ways do class and caste intersect and overlap in shaping social structure? (10 Marks)
1. (b) Critically examine the position of women in the informal economy. (10 Marks)
1. (c) Discuss the role of geographical factors in social change and development. (10 Marks)
1. (d) Although sociology, as a subject of study, overarches all disciplines in social sciences yet it maintains its distinctiveness. Comment. (10 Marks)
1. (e) Explain in brief the relationship between social movement, collective action and revolution in bringing about social and political changes. (10 Marks)
Q2.
2. (a) Describe the impact of capitalist mode of production on society. (20 Marks)
2.(b) Differentiate between social hierarchy and social exclusion and substantiate your answer with reference to the caste system. (20 Marks)
2. (c) ‘Data without theory is blind and theory without data is empty.’ Comment. (10 Marks)
Q3.
3. (a) Discuss the relationship between religion and science in modern society. Do they necessarily remain in conflict? (20 Marks)
3. (b) Is ‘interpretativism’ more effective than ‘positivism’ in analysing social reality ? Discuss. (20 Marks)
3. (c) How does Emile Durkheim conceptualize religion as a ‘social fact’? Explain. (10 Marks)
Q4.
4. (a) Elaborate major sociological theories of power. How do power elite shape the political process in modern societies? (20 Marks)
4. (b) Evaluate the socio-economic impacts of migration on rural households. (20 Marks)
4. (c) ‘The methods of sociology are inadequate in understanding the complex social phenomena’. Discuss. (10 Marks)
Section = B
Q5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : (10 × 5 = 50 Marks)
5. (a) The major challenge for sociology researchers is to analyze social reality objectively. Critically analyze. (10 Marks)
5. (b) Explain the concept of ‘definition of the situation’ and its significance in sociology. (10 Marks
5. (c) In what way the concept of ‘patriarchal bargain’ be applied to the institution of marriage? Comment. (10 Marks)
5. (d) How does Max Weber’s ‘theory of authority’ shape bureaucracy ? Analyse. (10 Marks)
5. (e) How do different theories explain social dimensions of social movements ? Discuss. (10 Marks)
Q6.
6. (a) Discuss the intellectual origins of sociology and the historical antecedents of its evolution as a distinct field of study. (20 Marks)
6. (b) Critically analyse the mode of production debate from different perspectives. (20 Marks)
6. (c) How does the rise of new ‘cults’ and ‘sects’ influence intercaste relations ? (10 Marks)
Q7.
7. (a) Compare and critically assess ‘the grounded theory’ with ‘theory-driven research method’ in sociology. (20 Marks)
7. (b) According to Weber how do class, status and power interact to produce and sustain social inequality ? (20 Marks)
7. (c) Compare the social organisation of work in industrial capitalism and platform capitalism. (10 Marks)
Q8.
8. (a) How are the concepts of nation, state and citizenship interrelated in a democracy ? Elaborate. (20 Marks)
8. (b) Critically evaluate the relevance of the cyclical theory of social change in understanding contemporary societies. (20 Marks)
8. (c) Discuss the significance and limitations of ‘intersectionality’ in social research. (10 Marks)
| UPSC Sociology Optional Previous Year Question Papers | |
| Year |
UPSC Sociology Optional Question Papers PDF Link |
|
2025 |
UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2025 PDF |
| 2024 | UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2024 PDF |
| 2023 | UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2023 PDF |
| 2022 | UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2022 PDF |
| 2021 | UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2021 PDF |
| 2020 | UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2020 PDF |
| 2019 | UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2019 PDF |
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