Sociology Previous Year Question Paper UPSC CSE-2023

The importance of previous year question papers in the preparation for the UPSC Main Exam is multifaceted. Here’s a summary of the key points. Understanding the Exam Pattern: Previous year papers give you a clear picture of the exam format, types of questions, and marking scheme. Identifying Important Topics: They help in recognizing the recurring themes and topics that are frequently asked, allowing you to focus on the most relevant areas. Time Management: Practicing with these papers helps in developing time management skills, which is crucial given the stringent time constraints of the UPSC exams. Self-Evaluation: By solving past papers, you can assess your preparation level, identify weak areas, and work on them. Familiarity with Question Types: You’ll get used to the variety of questions that can be asked, including their complexity and the way they are framed. Boosting Confidence: Regular practice with previous papers can increase your confidence and reduce exam anxiety. Effective Revision: It serves as a practical revision tool, helping you to consolidate your learning and recall information. Predicting Future Trends: Analyzing question patterns over the years can give insights into potential future trends in the UPSC exam. In essence, previous year question papers are an indispensable part of UPSC exam preparation, acting as a bridge between your knowledge and the actual exam requirements. They not only enhance your understanding of the exam structure but also sharpen your answering skills, making them a vital tool in your study arsenal.

SOCIOLOGY PAPER 1 2023

 SECTION A 

Question no 1.  Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (10-5-50)

1. a) What is the distinctiveness of the feminist method of social research? Comment. UNIT 2 MAJOR THEORETICAL STRANDS
2. b) Discuss the relationship between sociology and political science. UNIT 1 CAMPIRISON WITH OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
3. c) How does the dramaturgical perspective enable our understanding of everyday life? UNIT 2 MAJOR THEORETICAL STRANDS

1. d) Is reference group theory a universally applicable model? Elucidate. UNIT 4 SOCIOLOGOCAL THINKER R. K. MERTON
2. e) Do you think that the boundary line between ethnicity and race is blurred? Justify your answer. UNIT 5 STARTIFICATION AND MOBILITY: ETHNICITY AND RACE

(Watch Sociology Trend Analysis for 2024 of Previous Year Questions)

Question no 2. 

1. a) What, according to Robert Michels, is the iron law of oligarchy? Do lions and foxes in Vilfredo Pareto’s theory, essentially differ from each other? Substantiate. (20) UNIT 7 POLITICS AND SOCIETY
2. b) What is historical materialism? Examine its relevance in understanding contemporary societies. (20) UNIT 4 SOCIOLOGOCAL THINKER KARL MARX
3. c) What are variables? How do they facilitate research? (10) UNIT 3 RESAERCH METHODS AND ANALYSIS: VARIABLES

Question no 3. 

1. a) What are the characteristics of scientific method? Do you think that scientific method in conducting sociological research is fool proof? Elaborate. (20) UNIT2 SOCIOLOGY AS SCIENCE
2. b) How do you assess the changing patterns in kinship relations in societies today? (20) ) UNIT 9 SYSTEM OF KINSHIP 
3. c) Is Weber’s idea of bureaucracy a product of the historical experiences of Europe? Comment. (10) UNIT 4 SOCIOLOGICAL THINKERS MAX WEBER 

Question no 4. 

1. a) Do you think that common sense is the starting point of social research? What are its advantages and limitations? Explain. 20) UNIT2 SOCIOLOGY AS SCIENCE: SOCIOLOGY AND COMMON SENSE

1. b) How is poverty a form of social exclusion? Illustrate in this connection the different dimensions of poverty and social exclusion. 20 UNIT 5 STARTIFICATION AND MOBILITY: EXCLUSION AND POVERTY
2. c) Highlight the differences and similarities between totemism and animism. 10 UNIT 8 RELEGION AND SOCIETY: TYPES OF RELEGIOUS Practices

SECTION B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5-50

1. a) Examine the relevance of corporate social responsibility in a world marked by increasing environmental crises. UNIT 10 SOCIAL CAHNGE IN MODERN SOCIETY
2. b) How is civil society useful in deepening the roots of democracy? UNIT 7 POLITICS AND SOCIETY: CIVIL SOCIETY
3. c) What functions does religion perform in a pluralistic society? UNIT 8 RELEGION AND SOCIETY
4. d) Analyze critically David Morgan’s views on family practices. UNIT 9 SYSTEM OF KINSHIP 
5. e) Does women’s education help to eradicate patriarchal discriminations? Reflect with illustrations. UNIT 10 SOCIAL CAHNGE IN MODERN SOCIETY: EDUATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Question no 6.

1. a) What are the different dimensions of qualitative method? Do you think that qualitative method helps to gain a deeper sociological insight? Give reasons for your answer. 20 UNIT 3 Research methods and analysis

1. b) Explain Max Weber’s theory of social stratification. How does Weber’s idea of class differ from that of Marx? 20 UNIT 5 STARTIFICATION AND MOBILITY:
2. c) What are the ethical issues that a researcher faces in making use of participant observation as a method of collecting data? Explain. 10 Unit 3 research methods and analysis

Question no 7.

1. a) Explain how economic globalization has brought changes in the patterns of employment in the 21st century. 20 unit 6 work and economic life
2. b) Do you think that the social media has brought significant changes in the forms of protest? Argue your case. 20 Unit 7 politics and society: protest
3. c) Assess critically A. G. Frank’s ‘theory of development of underdevelopment’. UNIT 10 SOCIAL CAHNGE IN MODERN SOCIETY: DEVELOPMENT AND DEPENDENCY

Question no 8.

1. a) What is Taylorism? Analyze its merits and demerits. 20 UNIT 6 WORK AND ECONOMIC LIFE

1. b) What are new religious movements? Elaborate emphasizing their forms and orientations. 20 UNIT 8 RELEGION AND SOCIETY: RELEGIOUS REVIVALISM

1. c) Examine the role of science and technology in addressing age-old taboos and superstitions. 10 UNIT 10 social change in modern society-science and technology and social change

SOCIOLOGY PAPER 2 2023

SECTION A

Question no 1: Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, on the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

1. Highlight the significant features of A. R. Desai’s ‘Dialectical Perspective’ to study Indian Society. PRESPECTIVES ON INDIAN SOCIETY : A R DESAI
2. “The decade of 1950s was the golden period of village studies in Indian Sociology. Explain the statement. Rural and Agrarian Social Structure: The idea of Indian village and village studies          
3. Analyse the differences between the attributional and interactional approach in studying the caste system. Caste System
4. Are Tradition and Modernity antithetical to each other? Comment. Modernization of Indian tradition.
5. Discuss the main features of Land Reforms in post-independence India. Rural and Agrarian Social Structure: land reforms.

Question no 2.

1. Do you agree with the view of Andre Beteille that India’s villages are representative of Indian society’s basic civilizational values? Present a sociological overview. 20 Rural and Agrarian Social Structure: The idea of Indian village and village studies
2. Elaborate the salient features and the role of middle class in India’s democracy and development. 20 Social Classes in India: MIDDLE CLASS
3. Analyse the role of market and modern forces in understanding the changing trends in marriage systems in India. 10 Systems of Kinship in India: Family and marriage in India.

Question no 3.

1. Contextualize Louis Dumont’s concept of binary opposition’ with reference to caste system in India. 20 Caste System
2. Define the concepts of ‘Descent’ and ‘Alliance’. Differentiate between North Indian and South Indian Kinship systems with examples. 20 Systems of Kinship in India:
3. Critically examine the concept of Sanskritization with suitable illustrations. 10 PRESPECTIVES ON INDIAN SOCIETY : M. N. SRINIVAS

Question no 4.

1. Analyse the perspectives of Isolation, Assimilation and Integration in understanding the trajectories of Indian Tribal Development. 20 Tribal communities in India: Issues of integration and autonomy
2. Explain the implications and the impact of globalization in situating the changing agrarian class structure in India. 20 Social Classes in India :Agrarian class structure
3. Critique the victory narratives of Green Revolution in the context of Indian society. 10 Rural and Agrarian transformation in India : Green revolution and social change.

SECTION B

Question no 5. Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, on the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

1. Citing some case studies, expand the concept of ‘Development-induced Displacement’. 10 Challenges of Social Transformation: Crisis of development: displacement
2. Examine the concept of ‘Cultural Pluralism’ in the context of India’s Unity in Diversity. 10 Politics and Society
3. Highlight the salient features of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 10 Visions of Social Change in India: Education and social change.
4. Analyse the sociological interconnections between Social Media and Mass Mobilization in India. 10 Politics and Society:
5. Discuss the nature of regional variations in sex ratio in India, stating reasons thereof. 10 Population Dynamics: Emerging issues: sex ratios

Question no 6.

1. How do you account for the increasing significance of religion in public and personal spheres in the context of secularization thesis in India? Explain. 20 Politics and Society: SECULARISATION
2. In the face of rising global climatic concerns, how do you contextualize the relevance of Chipko Movement and its Gandhian tone? Answer analytically. 20 Social Movements in Modern India: Environmental movements
3. What actionable measures would you suggest to curb the recurrent child labour [menace in India]? 10 Industrialization and Urbanisation in India : child labour

Question no 7.

1. Do you think that the decades of Dalit political mobilizations and movements have helped in strengthening India’s democracy? Substantiate your arguments with facts. 20 Social Movements in Modern India: Dalit movements
2. What is ‘reverse migration’ ? Discuss its features, causes and consequences in India. 20 Rural and Agrarian transformation in India:
3. Discuss the phenomenon of rural-urban continuum with suitable examples. 10 Industrialization and Urbanisation in India

Question no 8.

1. Explain the thematic linkages between ‘Patriarchy’ and ‘Honour killing’ in India, citing some recent cases. 20 Systems of Kinship in India: Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour.
2. Discuss the challenges faced by the cooperative movements in India. Suggest measures to strengthen the movement at the grass-roots level. 20 Rural and Agrarian transformation in India: cooperatives,
3. What is Ageing’? Discuss the major problems of aged people in India. 10 Population Dynamics : ageing

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Sociology Optional Program for
UPSC CSE 2025 & 2026

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