Sociology Optional Strategy

TEN POINTS MANTRA FOR DECIDING OPTIONAL.

1. Know about your interest in the subject.

This is the most important aspect for UPSC optional preparation. Spend a good number of days with your optional subject. Unless you ‘feel like’ studying the subject matter, it would be difficult. Reading any theoretical aspect at the outset will be wrong approach. Read NCERT class 12th and try to relate with your surrounding. It explains basic Sociological concepts through pictures. It will help you visualize them, thus enabling easy representation in actual exams.

2. How to Understand whether you are interested in Sociology?

If you are able to reflect and relate the basic concepts and facts with your day today life and excited to know more, this means that you have interest in it. If you have curiosity to read and know more and more, you must understand that you have developed interest in the subject.

3. Going through the syllabus and listing of the topics.

Syllabus gives you the direction for studies. It is important to know what you need to study. List the topics of the syllabus and try to mug up in minimum possible time. Segregate the Common Topics of PAPER 1 & PAPER 2. While reading Newspaper, relate a news with the Sociological Views for that. But Don’t over read the Current Affairs for Sociology. Focus more on aggregating the Knowledge on Syllabus topics.

4. First round Reading & Learning for UPSC Sociology

Start with the NCERT Books of Class 12 & Class 11 for Sociology. This is the first reading, so you can avoid the Notes Making. If You have Planned to Join any Class, you can Complete the 2nd reading and understanding of the themes along with the Classes.
As far as other Study References are Concerned, In case You are preparing yourself You can refer to topic wise IGNOU STUDY MATERIAL for PAPER 1 & Paper 2. If You have planned to take COACHING CLASS, You should rely on Class Discussion Notes and Printed Notes.
Many students after selection becomes Activist and suggest list of books in Toppers Discussion Session. You should not follow them blindly. You should stick to Syllabus . For You Syllabus Topics should be Important, not the List of books. If your teacher has worked for you and provided you consolidated notes, You must rely on that. Over reading of the topics from different sources should be avoided. Try to assimilate the concept with the facts when you read it. Relate them to events around you. For example, if you are working in IT sector, relate it to Marx’s concept of alienation.

5. Going through Previous Year Questions 2007 TO 2019 in detail is the best approach

As I said above that Syllabus gives you direction, Previous Year Questions help you to reach to Milestones. It is important not only to know what you need to study and it is equally important to know what you DO NOT need to study. Insights for Exam Relevant Study you get from the Previous Year Question Papers. Refer to Question Papers on regular basis, before reading any topics and after reading the topic.

6. Art & Science of Notes Making Notes Making

Synoptic Notes making is indispensable for Preparation and Performance in Sociology Optional. While making the Notes try to balance the Concepts, Theories & Facts. Revisiting the previous year questions which will provide a deeper understanding at this stage also, this would help you in sticking to the demand of UPSC exam while making Notes.
Ring binder files and A4 sheets will help you in sequencing your notes. Make notes in A4 papers and compile them in the ring binder file. In future, when you make value addition to these topics, you can simply put the A4 sheet at its right place in the file. You can leave one third of the space on the page to add Conventional and Current Value added material in Ring binder files. Thus, all notes of a particular topic would be at one place – easy to revise in the last few days before exam. While making Notes, give special focus on Definitional aspects of the Terms and Concepts. Objectify Theoretical Strands.
NCERT Sociology is a matter of significance. In the first reading you may find it irrelevant. All 4 NCERTs should be read atleast for 3 times. In Second reading make notes and fit them at their designated place in the ring binder file. Pay special attention to the language, try to replicate the same in your answers in Paper 2. Incorporate examples in your answers, with case studies etc. given in these NCERTs. These examples and case studies would act as an icing on the cake.
In many answers you are required to begin with a definition of the term mentioned in question. So writing definition of Terms & Concepts separately will be handy. You need not to refer to any Dictionary for this.
Also mention expected questions on the basis of previous years questions in your running notes on Syllabus topics. Circle and box these questions.
A common discussed problem is Paper 2 getting less focus than Paper 1. To address this, a combined strategy that related topics of Paper 1 and Paper 2. should be followed. You can follow the above strategy, and you will observe how you have started relating topics from Paper 1 and Paper 2.   ALWAYS keep UPSC Sociology syllabus and previous year question with you.

7. Value addition and filling the gaps

while referring previous year question you will realise that some topics asked UPSC exam is related to Contemporary Topics. But you should not get nervous. The missing Contemporary Topics just need Sociological Conceptual & Theoretical references.
Hardly 10 to 20 Percent Questions are related to Contemporary & Current Social Facts.
In course of Regular Newspaper Reading Jot down Points from Contemporary and Current Sociological Articles related to Syllabus in your A4 sheet, and attach these sheets at the right place in the Ring Binder File. Once you have made notes from these sources, further reading may not be required.
In Conventional & Static Questions too You can give a Brief reference of Contemporary & Current Development. Note: Students of Triumph IAS need not to worry about this gap. In regular class itself the Contemporary Current Developments are included. Coaching handwritten notes.  VIKASH RANJAN Sir’s class notes supplemented by his printed materials of TRIUMPH IAS Articles with Sociological perspectives.

8. Updating yourself with current affairs, Budget, Economic survey, reports, government schemes etc.

As aspirant of UPSC you regularly follow the newspapers and read the Current articles and Journals. You should carefully Jot down the Current Social Facts and Update your notes with Syllabus relevant Current Affairs Facts from the Budget, Economic Survey, Reports & Government Schemes.
YOU SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT READING THE CURRENT FACTS SEPARATELY. Simply have SOCIOLOGY SYLLABUS & PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS QUESTIONS with You to Mark & Jot Down Points Relevant to your Syllabus.
Every year Budget, Economic Surveys has provisions for elderly, women, Education, Child Development, Farmers, Tribals, Business Communities etc. [Useful for Paper 2]. New Terms like Son Meta preferences mentioned in Economic Survey of 2017 can be referred in Context of Demographic Dynamism.

9. Time to Evaluate Yourself and Analyzestrenth and Weaknesses

You already have previous year questions (as mentioned above). Attempt questions of each UPSC Sociology syllabus topic. (Click Here for Topic Wise Previous Years Questions)You may start from 2008 paper – there was a pattern change in 2008. You can refer Topper’s Answer sheet for reference. It is good source to begin Answer Writing. But you must understand that there are Individual Differences. So develop your own unique style of answer writing too. Refer to blogs of UPSC Sociology toppers on www.triumphias.com Do not follow anyone blindly. Use their strategy to modify yours if required.
Attend a Test Series and try to Personalise Your Preparation. Stick to Test Series routine religiously and follow suggestion of the Teacher. Since you all are competing with each other, so try to maintain Novelty in your Style of Writing as well as in the Content. You should try to keep your Strategies exclusive. You don’t know that how many of your Competitors copy your Style & Content once you submit your Answer for Peer Review on different Social Media Groups.
Be wise in selecting Your Mentor for true evaluation and Analysis of Your Test Papers. Always remember, Optional Subject requires Specialisation and Expertise. So rely on the Advice and Suggestion of Experienced Faculties. Understand the strength of a Teacher in terms of his Teaching Experience, Dynamism in his Approach, Marks Obtained by his Students, Final Results, and Accessibility etc.
Avoid Googleing unnecessary stuff for Syllabus. Don’t be distracted by

10. Finally, All you need to do is..

To Read NCERT Class 11th and 12th  -IGNOU Study Material (Click here for the Topic Wise Link) -Previous Year Question Papers (Click here for the link) -Class notes of Paper 1 & Paper 2 VIKAS RANJAN Sir [Click here for complete Sociology notes] -Do revise your own answers. There are two benefits of doing this:- 1. Every subsequent revision will reveal to you the areas you need to improve, how to further improve that particular answer. Others can rarely do this for you! 2. You will be in touch with your strong areas, thus increasing the chances of replicating them in actual exam. Good Luck !