The optional subject in the UPSC exam is allotted 500 marks out of the total 1750 marks in the mains exam. A poor choice of optional subject can result in a low score, thus compromising your chances of selection. In recent years, Sociology has emerged as the safest and most popular optional subject among many aspirants in the UPSC mains exam.
The success rate for this optional has been exemplary. In terms of marks, candidates can achieve between 315 and 342 marks. Additional advantages of choosing this subject include significant overlap with the General Studies syllabus in the mains exam, thereby saving valuable time. Furthermore, the subject’s foundation in societal issues can be beneficial during the personality test, where many questions pertain to societal problems and issues.
Sociology Optional- a wise choice
- Scoring Potential
From the previous trends, it can be inferred that Sociology as an optional for UPSC mains has a high scoring potential and this is one of the main reasons behind its popularity. The sociology optional has a high success ratio too and many of the toppers with this optional is a testimony of this. Average marks in sociology – 250+ marks
- Short Syllabus
Comparatively short syllabus the entire coverage can be done within a short span of 3-4 months, approximately 300 hours of syllabus.
- Abundance of Study Material
Study materials or resources are abundant related to this optional. Both online and offline materials are in excess and can be utilized from multiple platforms.
- No Background Required
Academic background is not a hurdle for this optional, hence candidates irrespective of their background can choose this optional with little or no knowledge of sociology. This subject is often in the limelight in newspapers due to concepts like family, religion, etc.
- Overlaps with Paper 1 and Paper 2
There are 10 topics in paper 1, amongst which 4 topics have deep overlaps with paper 2 —kinship, social change, Politics, and Society, Religion and Society.
Almost the entire prelims preparation revolves around the study of Indian society and as a result, we are aware of important changes in society, whether it be government schemes or Landmark Court judgments, this automatically takes care of any dynamic elements in the subject too.
Sociology paper-2: Poverty, Deprivation and Inequality, Illiteracy and disparity, Communalism, Sex ratio, IMR, MMR, Reproductive Health and Democracy, Nation, Citizenship, secularization, Regionalism, Informal sector, Child labor, Education and social change, Green Revolution, Community Development Programs, Poverty Alleviation Schemes, Rural Development.
GS and other papers like essay find a huge overlap with sociology optional. For example, in General Studies Paper 1, about 40 — 50 marks can be extracted from sociology-related topics.
Similarly, General Studies Paper 2 can be found coherent with issues like welfare initiatives, depressed and vulnerable section-related issues, NGOs and other welfare institutions, issues related to poverty and hunger, etc.
General Studies Paper 3 is linked with issues like Land reforms in India, Comprehensive development and issues emerging from it, Naxalism and Maoism and its effect on society, Globalization, Industrialization, privatization and their impact on society, etc.
General Study’s Paper 4 has many common areas with Sociology optional such as Human Values- the role of family, society, and educational institutions in inculcating values; reformers and administrators, lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders.
Similarly, there are many overlapping areas in the sociology syllabus with the essay paper. The subject owing to its roots in society can help you in personality test too where a lot of questions arise on societal problems and issues.
Our Distinct Vision- YOUR SAATHI
We strive for an approach that is collaborative, cooperative, and comprehensive and a compassionate FRIEND –A”SAATHI” in your preparation.
- An approach of reverse engineering. We will start with analyzing the previous year’s question papers and based on the requirements of UPSC, we intend to approach the micro topics of sociology optional.
For example in paper J, Thinkers, Social Stratification, Emergence of Sociology, Common Sense, Techniques of Data Collection form a substantial part of sociology.
- Other topics such as Religion, Social Change, Kinship, politics, and Society need a collaborative approach in which we will approach the syllabus by combining these topics of Paper 1 and Paper 2 holistically.
- Using Scholars and theories of paper 1 in paper 2, and using Indian society-specific examples in paper 1. Showcasing the examiner how the Sociological ideas are currently related and applicable in society is a prime necessity for fetching maximum marks in Sociology. Examples from case studies, newspapers, reports, or real life are to be quoted.
INTERLINKAGES IN SYLLABUS
Micro and Macro topics of paper 1 and 2
- Showcasing the impact of Sanskritization in Politics and society, social change of paper 1.
- Using Emile Durkheim’s concepts of Solidarity and collective conscience, Alienation by Marx in Paper 2
- ‘Theories of Social Stratification’, which is a part of chapter 5 is linked to chapter 2.
- Chapter 7, which is ‘Politics and Society’, has a topic on sociological theories of power which can be linked to Weberian and Marxian theories of power.
- Chapter 8 has a topic ‘Sociological theories on religion’ which is inter-linked to Weber and Durkheim
- Paper 2 is dynamic in nature and mostly deals with Indian aspects. The questions which are asked in paper 2 are current-based and dynamic in nature
Hence, a blend of sociological and current affairs is necessary while answering questions for this paper. For Paper II, you should also remember that the newspapers are an important source of answers.
Consolidation of your knowledge shall be a mix of current affairs and static portions. Topics like the Informal sector, child labor, Slums and deprivation in urban areas, Violence against women, Poverty, deprivation and inequalities, Regionalism and decentralization of power, Secularization, etc. can be supplemented with current affairs news. We intend to provide you with comprehensive material and selective guidance related to “what to read, how to read, and how much to read “in a very systematic manner. So that the answer looks multidimensional, distinct, dynamic, and unique.
Case studies conducted by various social researchers have their role in paper 2. The inclusion of case studies in your answers makes it more readable and authentic in nature. Besides this, it also makes your answer different and unique and hence the possibility to score gets higher. Hence a Separate strategy is required for value addition and substantiations in dynamic portions of paper 2 for inculcating a distinct answer writing Skills into the candidate.
We need to quote a few relevant and current facts, figures, case studies, and recommendations of reports/commissions. Real-life examples are of utmost importance in this paper. For example, when you talk about the problem of religious minorities in India, you can cite the recent SC verdict on triple talaq. On issues of patriarchy, you can give the skewed sex ratios of various states in India and relate it to development, women empowerment, etc.
For example, take a look at the following question from Paper II –
- Elaborate on the “Me Too” movement and its impact in India.
This question, based on current affairs, has many aspects to it. Answering this question requires multiple dimensions from the fields of psychology, sexual harassment in the workplace and its prevention (polity, law), feminism, the idea of consent, social hierarchies, gender roles, etc.
Now, look at another question from Paper II –
- Indebtedness is one of the serious issues leading to farmers’ suicides. Discuss reasons and suggest solutions. Here also, you have to talk about various aspects of farmers’ suicides like the agricultural distress in India, the vagaries of the monsoons and their effect on our farmers, the mental health of Indians, etc. Here, you should also talk about what Durkheim had to say about suicides.
Other Examples
- Under Changing Forms of Marriage, ‘marriage — divorce — remarriage’ is one pattern visible in urban settings. However, you can use the term Serial Monogamy, to refer to the same.
- Similarly, for topics such as Modernity in India and the Middle Class in India — you can always incorporate concepts such as Conspicuous Consumption, Value Conflict among the Middle class, etc.
- Many events around us break the notion of patriarchy and signify women’s empowerment. Example — Induction of women into the armed forces
- Law and social change — Recent Maternity Benefit Act and Provision of crèche services.
- Some social conflicts — Caste conflicts, Communal violence in news, etc.
- Environment movements, social movements (LGBT, RTI, Anti-Corruption)
In sociology, you can embellish your answers by including relevant diagrams and flowcharts. Prepare a few standard topics and concepts so that you can use them in the exam. On every topic, develop points from both sides of the spectrum (positive and negative) and present a balanced picture. Your conclusions must be futuristic, realistic, and positively oriented.
DEALING WITH DEMANDS OF UPSC
The faculty puts seamless efforts into fulfilling the demands of UPSC Sociology optional – we have dedicatedly developed a smart, strategic, systematic, and simple approach in dealing with this 500-mark game-changer optional/ subject.
The class paradigm will follow:
- Previous year question paper analysis and in-depth understanding of UPSC demands.
- Initial basic understanding of the topic which is to be followed by the discussion debates, and deliberation.
- MINDMAPS based on that summarized dictation understanding of the topic.
- Printed material at the last for better understanding and self-reading by the students.
Books can be referred to as the fundamentals
- Indian Society: NCERT Class XI — Sociology: Understanding Society
- Indian Society: NCERT Class XII — Indian Society
- Indian Society: NCERT Class XII — Social Change and Development in India
- Sociology Themes and Perspectives — Michael Haralambos, Martin Holborn
- Society in India: Concepts, Theories and Recent Trends — Ram Ahuja
- Social Problems in India — Ram Ahuja
- Sociology — Anthony Giddens
- Sociological Theory — George Ritzer
- Oxford Dictionary of Sociology
- Modernization of Indian Tradition — Yogendra Singh
- Sociological Thought — Francis Abraham, John Henry Morgan
- Social Change in Modern India — M. N. SRINIVAS
- Caste Its Twentieth Century Avatar — M. N. SRINIVAS
- Persistence and Change in Tribal India — M.V. Rao
- Social Background of Indian Nationalism — A. R. Desai
- Social Change in Modern India — MN Srinivas
- Indian Sociological Thought — BK Nagla
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