Mock Test Paper - 2 (Sociology Optional Paper- II): Answers | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Answers

Section-A

Q1. (a) Highlight the key features of G.S. Ghurye’s approach to studying Indian society.
Ans: G.S. Ghurye’s approach to studying Indian society emphasized an Indological perspective, integrating textual analysis with empirical observations. He viewed Indian society through the lens of caste, religion, and cultural unity, arguing that Hindu scriptures shaped social institutions. His work on caste highlighted its hierarchical and integrative roles, while his studies on tribes emphasized their assimilation into Hindu society. Ghurye’s focus on cultural continuity is evident in his analysis of Indian kinship and urbanization. In 2024, his framework was applied to study caste-based voting patterns, reflecting cultural persistence. However, critics argue his approach overemphasized Hindu-centric views, sidelining diversity. Ghurye’s methodology remains foundational, blending tradition with sociological inquiry to understand India’s complex social fabric. 

Q1. (b) (PYQ) The decade of 1950s was the golden period of village studies in Indian Sociology. Explain the statement.
Ans: The 1950s marked the golden period of village studies in Indian sociology due to extensive ethnographic research on rural social structures. Scholars like S.C. Dube and M.N. Srinivas conducted seminal studies, such as Srinivas’ work on Rampura, introducing concepts like Sanskritization. These studies explored caste dynamics, kinship, and agrarian relations, providing a foundational understanding of Indian society. The post-independence focus on rural development and land reforms spurred academic interest, supported by institutions like the Anthropological Survey of India. In 2024, these studies remain relevant, informing rural policy evaluations. However, critics note their limited focus on urban and gender dynamics. The 1950s village studies established Indian sociology’s empirical rigor, shaping its theoretical and methodological evolution.

Q1. (c) Analyze the role of education in transforming caste dynamics in contemporary India.
Ans: Education has transformed caste dynamics in India by promoting social mobility and challenging traditional hierarchies. Reservation policies in educational institutions have enabled marginalized castes to access higher education, fostering economic and social empowerment. For instance, the 2024 NEET reservation debates highlighted increased Dalit and OBC representation in medical colleges. Education fosters awareness, reducing caste-based discrimination, as seen in urban campuses promoting intercaste interactions. However, disparities persist, with rural schools lacking resources, perpetuating caste divides. Elite institutions often reflect upper-caste dominance, marginalizing lower castes. Sociologists argue education must be inclusive to dismantle caste barriers fully. Despite challenges, education remains a key driver of caste transformation, reshaping India’s social landscape. 

Q1. (d) Discuss the impact of urbanization on traditional Indian social structures.
Ans: Urbanization has significantly impacted traditional Indian social structures, weakening caste, joint family, and rural kinship systems. Urban migration, driven by economic opportunities, fosters nuclear families, as seen in 2024 urban housing trends. Caste-based occupations decline in cities, with merit-based jobs promoting social mobility. However, caste persists in urban ghettos and marriage practices. Urbanization also challenges patriarchal norms, with women entering the workforce, though gender disparities remain. The 2025 urban slum surveys revealed weakened community ties but persistent social inequalities. Sociologists note that urbanization blends tradition with modernity, creating hybrid identities. While it erodes traditional structures, it also reinforces inequalities, necessitating policies for inclusive urban development. 

Q1. (e) (PYQ) Discuss the main features of Land Reforms in post-independence India.
Ans: Land reforms in post-independence India aimed to address agrarian inequality and promote social justice. Key features included abolishing intermediaries like zamindars, implementing tenancy reforms to secure tenant rights, and imposing land ceilings to redistribute surplus land. The Zamindari Abolition Acts (1950s) transferred land ownership to tillers, while tenancy laws protected cultivators’ rights. Land ceiling policies redistributed land to landless farmers, though implementation varied. In 2024, evaluations showed mixed outcomes, with states like West Bengal succeeding in tenant protections. However, bureaucratic inefficiencies and resistance from landlords limited success. These reforms reduced feudal structures, empowered marginal farmers, but persistent landlessness highlights incomplete implementation. 

Q2. (a) Do you agree with M.N. Srinivas that Sanskritization represents the aspirations of lower castes for upward mobility? Present a sociological overview.
Ans:
Introduction: M.N. Srinivas’ concept of Sanskritization describes lower castes adopting upper-caste practices to achieve upward social mobility, a significant framework for understanding Indian social dynamics.

Body:

1. Core Idea: Sanskritization involves adopting rituals, lifestyles, and values of higher castes, e.g., lower castes practicing vegetarianism.

2. Social Mobility: It reflects aspirations for status enhancement, as seen in 2024 caste-based community festivals adopting Brahminical rituals.

3. Critique: Srinivas overlooks economic and political factors, with education and reservations driving mobility more than cultural adoption.

4. Limitations: It may reinforce caste hierarchies by validating upper-caste norms, as observed in 2025 rural studies.

5. Relevance: Sanskritization remains relevant but is complemented by modern aspirations like urban migration.

Conclusion: Srinivas’ Sanskritization captures lower-caste aspirations but needs integration with broader socio-economic factors to fully explain mobility in contemporary India.

Q2. (b) Elaborate on the role of the Indian diaspora in shaping India’s global cultural and economic influence. 
Ans:
Introduction: The Indian diaspora, numbering over 32 million, significantly shapes India’s global cultural and economic influence, acting as a bridge between India and the world.

Body:

1. Cultural Influence: The diaspora promotes Indian culture through festivals like Diwali, celebrated globally in 2024, enhancing soft power.

2. Economic Contributions: Remittances, reaching $100 billion in 2025, bolster India’s economy, funding development projects.

3. Global Advocacy: Diaspora organizations influence host country policies, e.g., Indian-Americans lobbying for stronger US-India ties in 2024.

4. Challenges: Cultural assimilation and discrimination, as faced by Indian workers in Gulf countries, limit influence.

5. Modern Example: The 2025 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas highlighted diaspora contributions to India’s tech sector.

Conclusion: The Indian diaspora strengthens India’s global presence, but addressing their challenges is crucial for maximizing their impact.

Q2. (c) (PYQ) Analyze the role of market and modern forces in understanding the changing trends in marriage systems in India.
Ans: Market and modern forces have transformed India’s marriage systems, shifting from traditional arranged marriages to diverse practices. Economic liberalization increased disposable incomes, enabling lavish weddings, as seen in 2024 urban trends. Social media and dating apps, like Tinder, facilitate love marriages, challenging caste and regional barriers. Education and women’s workforce participation delay marriages and promote egalitarian partnerships, with 2025 surveys showing rising female agency in partner selection. However, market-driven dowry demands and commodification of marriages persist, reinforcing inequalities. Modern forces foster individual choice but also create tensions with traditional norms, particularly in rural areas. These changes reflect a complex interplay of tradition and modernity in India’s marriage systems. 

Q3. (a) Contextualize Andre Beteille’s perspective on the interplay between caste and class in modern India
Ans:
Introduction: Andre Beteille’s perspective on caste and class emphasizes their interplay in shaping modern India’s social structure, highlighting dynamic changes.

Body:

1. Caste and Class Overlap: Beteille notes caste influences class, with upper castes dominating elite professions, as seen in 2024 corporate leadership data.

2. Mobility: Education and urbanization blur caste-class boundaries, with OBCs entering middle-class roles.

3. Persistence of Caste: Despite class mobility, caste-based discrimination persists, e.g., 2025 rural land disputes.

4. Critique: Beteille’s focus on urban contexts may underplay rural caste rigidity.

5. Relevance: His framework explains 2024 reservation debates, balancing caste equity with class merit.

Conclusion: Beteille’s analysis underscores the evolving caste-class nexus, offering insights into India’s social transformation while highlighting persistent inequalities.

Q3. (b) Define the concepts of ‘ hypergamy’ and ‘ hypogamy’. Differentiate between marriage practices in North and South India with examples.
Ans:
Introduction: Hypergamy and hypogamy describe marriage practices, with distinct patterns in North and South Indian kinship systems.

Body:

1. Definitions: Hypergamy involves marrying into a higher social group, e.g., women marrying into higher castes. Hypogamy involves marrying into a lower group, less common.

2. North India: Exogamous marriages prioritize hypergamy, with strict caste and gotra rules, e.g., 2024 Haryana arranged marriages.

3. South India: Endogamous marriages, like cross-cousin unions, are common, with less emphasis on hypergamy, as in 2025 Tamil Nadu practices.

4. Differences: North Indian systems enforce patriarchal lineage; South Indian systems emphasize kinship cohesion.

5. Modern Trends: Urbanization reduces hypergamy, with inter-caste marriages rising.

Conclusion: North and South Indian marriage practices reflect diverse kinship norms, evolving under modern influences.

Q3. (c) Critically examine the concept of Westernization with suitable illustrations.
Ans: Westernization, coined by M.N. Srinivas, refers to the adoption of Western lifestyles, values, and technologies. In India, it is evident in urban fashion, English education, and nuclear families, as seen in 2024 metropolitan trends. It promotes individualism, challenging traditional collectivism, but also fosters cultural alienation, particularly among youth. For instance, 2025 surveys highlighted rural resistance to Westernized education. Critics argue it erodes Indian values, yet it drives modernization, like tech adoption. Westernization coexists with traditional practices, creating hybrid identities, but its unequal spread widens urban-rural divides. 

Q4. (a) Analyze the impact of globalization on India’s tribal communities from the perspectives of marginalization and empowerment.
Ans:
Introduction: Globalization impacts India’s tribal communities, creating both marginalization and empowerment, analyzed through sociological lenses.

Body:

1. Marginalization: Land acquisition for industries displaces tribes, e.g., 2024 Jharkhand mining projects.

2. Cultural Erosion: Global media erodes tribal traditions, as seen in 2025 urban tribal youth adopting mainstream culture.

3. Empowerment: Access to education and markets enables advocacy, e.g., tribal artisans selling globally via e-commerce.

4. Resistance: Tribal movements, like 2024 anti-deforestation protests, assert identity.

5. Policy Gaps: Weak implementation of tribal rights laws limits empowerment.

Conclusion: Globalization poses challenges but also offers opportunities for tribal empowerment, requiring inclusive policies to balance integration and autonomy. 

Q4. (b) Explain the implications of technological advancements on India’s agrarian economy in the context of 2024-2025.
Ans:
Introduction: Technological advancements reshape India’s agrarian economy, influencing productivity, labor, and social structures in 2024-2025.

Body:

1. Productivity Gains: Drones and precision farming, adopted in 2024 Punjab, increase yields.

2. Labor Displacement: Mechanization reduces rural jobs, pushing migration, as seen in 2025 Bihar.

3. Market Access: E-commerce platforms enable farmers to sell directly, boosting incomes.

4. Inequalities: Small farmers lack access to costly technologies, widening gaps, per 2024 surveys.

5. Sustainability: Tech-driven organic farming aligns with 2025 climate goals.

Conclusion: Technological advancements drive agrarian progress but exacerbate inequalities, necessitating policies for equitable access and sustainable growth.

Q4. (c) Critique the social consequences of the Green Revolution in India.
Ans: The Green Revolution increased agricultural productivity but had social consequences. It widened inequalities, favoring large farmers, as seen in 2024 Punjab data. Environmental degradation, like soil depletion, persists. It marginalized small farmers and landless laborers, exacerbating rural poverty. Social tensions rose due to uneven benefits, with 2025 studies highlighting caste-based disparities in resource access. However, it ensured food security, transforming India’s agrarian landscape. The revolution’s mixed legacy underscores the need for inclusive agricultural policies.

Section-B

Q5. (a) Expand the concept of ‘environmental displacement’ with relevant case studies from 2024-2025.
Ans: Environmental displacement, caused by climate change or development projects, uproots communities, disrupting livelihoods. In 2024, Cyclone Amphan displaced thousands in Sundarbans, forcing migration. The 2025 Polavaram dam project displaced Andhra Pradesh tribes, leading to cultural loss and economic distress. Sociologists highlight loss of social networks and identity, with women and children most vulnerable. Government rehabilitation often fails, as seen in inadequate resettlement for 2024 flood victims. Climate-induced displacement requires sustainable policies, like afforestation and resilient infrastructure, to mitigate impacts and ensure social justice. 

Q5. (b) Examine the concept of ‘social capital’ in the context of India’s community-driven development.
Ans: Social capital, the networks and trust enabling collective action, drives India’s community-driven development. In 2024, self-help groups in Rajasthan empowered women through microfinance, fostering economic cooperation. Village panchayats leverage social capital for local governance, as seen in 2025 Kerala’s participatory planning. However, caste and gender hierarchies limit access, marginalizing lower castes. Social capital strengthens community resilience but requires inclusive policies to bridge divides, ensuring equitable development across diverse groups.

Q5. (c) Highlight the key features of the Digital India initiative and its sociological implications.
Ans: The Digital India initiative promotes digital infrastructure, literacy, and governance. Key features include BharatNet for rural connectivity, e-governance portals, and digital payment systems. In 2024, it enabled online education for rural students. Sociologically, it reduces urban-rural divides but exacerbates inequalities due to limited access for marginalized groups, as per 2025 surveys. It empowers youth but risks cultural homogenization. Inclusive policies are needed to maximize its transformative potential while addressing digital disparities.

Q5. (d) (PYQ) Analyze the sociological interconnections between social media and mass mobilization in India.
Ans: Social media facilitates mass mobilization in India by amplifying voices and organizing movements. In 2024, X platforms mobilized protests against farm laws, uniting farmers nationwide. Hashtags like #WomenSafety trended in 2025, raising gender violence awareness. Social media fosters solidarity but risks misinformation, polarizing communities, as seen in 2024 communal tensions. It empowers marginalized groups but excludes those without digital access. Sociologically, it reshapes collective action, necessitating regulation to balance freedom and responsibility.

Q5. (e) Discuss the causes and consequences of skewed child sex ratios in India.
Ans: Skewed child sex ratios in India, favoring males, result from son preference, dowry practices, and sex-selective abortions. Haryana’s 2024 ratio of 900 girls per 1000 boys reflects persistent issues, while Kerala’s balanced ratio shows progressive attitudes. Consequences include bride shortages and trafficking, as reported in 2025. Government campaigns like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aim to shift norms, but cultural biases remain. Addressing this requires education, legal enforcement, and gender equity promotion.

Q6. (a) How do you account for the persistence of religious identities in India despite the secularization thesis? Explain.
Ans:
Introduction: The secularization thesis predicts declining religious influence, yet religious identities persist in India’s public and private spheres.

Body:

1. Public Sphere: Religious festivals like 2024 Kumbh Mela shape politics and identity.

2. Private Sphere: Personal religiosity, like 2025 yoga practices, remains strong.

3. Secular Policies: India’s constitution promotes secularism, but religious vote banks influence elections.

4. Modernity: Urbanization and education coexist with religious revivalism, as seen in 2024 temple restorations.

5. Critique: Secularization underestimates India’s cultural diversity.

Conclusion: Religious identities thrive in India due to cultural rootedness, challenging the secularization thesis and requiring balanced secular policies.

Q6. (b) In the context of global sustainability concerns, analyze the relevance of the Narmada Bachao Andolan and its non-violent approach.
Ans:
Introduction: The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a non-violent movement against dam-induced displacement, remains relevant amid 2024-2025 sustainability concerns.

Body:

1. Non-Violent Approach: NBA’s Gandhian protests, like satyagraha, inspired 2024 anti-deforestation movements.

2. Environmental Focus: It highlighted ecological damage, aligning with 2025 climate goals.

3. Social Justice: NBA advocated for displaced tribes, influencing 2024 rehabilitation policies.

4. Challenges: State resistance and corporate interests limit impact.

5. Global Relevance: NBA’s model informs global eco-activism, like 2025 anti-mining protests.

Conclusion: NBA’s non-violent, eco-centric approach remains a beacon for sustainable activism, urging stronger environmental policies.

Q6. (c) Suggest measures to address the issue of bonded labor in India.
Ans: To curb bonded labor, enforce the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act with stricter penalties. Rehabilitation programs, like 2024 skill training for rescued laborers, ensure economic independence. Awareness campaigns in 2025 rural areas can educate vulnerable communities. Collaboration with NGOs, as seen in 2024 anti-trafficking drives, strengthens enforcement. Regular inspections of industries like brick kilns are essential to prevent exploitation.

Q7. (a) Do you think OBC political mobilizations have strengthened India’s democratic framework? Substantiate with facts.
Ans:
Introduction: OBC political mobilizations have reshaped India’s democracy, enhancing representation and participation.

Body:

1. Increased Representation: OBC leaders, like 2024 state ministers, amplify marginalized voices.

2. Policy Influence: Reservation policies, expanded in 2025, reflect OBC advocacy.

3. Voter Mobilization: OBC vote banks strengthen democratic engagement, as seen in 2024 elections.

4. Challenges: Fragmented caste politics risks divisive populism.

5. Impact: OBC movements democratize power, balancing elite dominance.

Conclusion: OBC mobilizations bolster India’s democracy by fostering inclusivity, though cohesive policies are needed to sustain gains.

Q7. (b) What is ‘circular migration’? Discuss its features, causes, and consequences in India with examples from 2024-2025.
Ans:
Introduction: Circular migration involves temporary movement between rural and urban areas, a growing phenomenon in India.

Body:

1. Features: Short-term, repetitive migration, e.g., 2024 construction workers in Delhi.

2. Causes: Rural unemployment and urban job opportunities, as in 2025 Gujarat migrations.

3. Consequences: Remittances boost rural economies, but urban slums grow, per 2024 surveys.

4. Social Impact: Families face separation, yet skills improve.

5. Example: 2025 Maharashtra migrants returned seasonally for farming.

Conclusion: Circular migration drives economic resilience but requires policies for migrant welfare and urban planning. 

Q7. (c) Discuss the phenomenon of urban-rural linkages with suitable examples.
Ans: Urban-rural linkages reflect interconnected economic and social ties. In 2024, rural migrants in Bengaluru sent remittances, boosting village economies. Urban markets rely on rural produce, as seen in 2025 supply chains. Technology, like e-commerce, strengthens these links, enabling rural artisans to sell globally. However, urban-centric policies widen disparities. These linkages highlight the need for balanced development strategies. 

Q8. (a) Explain the linkages between caste-based discrimination and social exclusion in India, citing recent cases.
Ans:
Introduction: Caste-based discrimination fuels social exclusion, denying marginalized groups access to resources and opportunities.

Body:

1. Economic Exclusion: Dalits face job discrimination, as in 2024 corporate hiring biases.

2. Social Segregation: Caste-based residential divides persist, e.g., 2025 rural Tamil Nadu.

3. Recent Cases: 2024 Dalit student suicides in universities highlighted educational exclusion.

4. Policy Gaps: Weak enforcement of anti-discrimination laws limits progress.

5. Resistance: Dalit movements, like 2025 protests, challenge exclusion.

Conclusion: Caste-based discrimination perpetuates exclusion, necessitating robust policies and social awareness for inclusion.

Q8. (b) Discuss the challenges faced by women’s movements in India and suggest measures to strengthen them at the grassroots level.
Ans:
Introduction: Women’s movements in India face challenges but are vital for gender equity, requiring grassroots strengthening.

Body:

1. Challenges: Patriarchal resistance and limited funding, as seen in 2024 rural campaigns.

2. Internal Divisions: Class and caste differences fragment movements, per 2025 studies.

3. Measures: Strengthen SHGs for economic empowerment, as in 2024 Rajasthan.

4. Awareness: Use social media for outreach, like 2025 #MeToo campaigns.

5. Policy Advocacy: Collaborate with NGOs for legal reforms.

Conclusion: Women’s movements can drive change with grassroots support, inclusive strategies, and policy advocacy. 

Q8. (c) What is ‘social ageing’? Discuss the major challenges faced by the elderly in India.
Ans: Social ageing refers to the societal implications of an ageing population. In India, elderly face isolation, as nuclear families rise, per 2024 urban data. Financial insecurity affects those without pensions, especially rural elderly. Healthcare access is limited, with 2025 reports showing inadequate geriatric facilities. Elder abuse, often linked to property disputes, is rising. Policies like the 2024 Senior Citizens Act aim to address these, but implementation is weak.