UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Sociology | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Sociology is a popular optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination due to its concise syllabus, conceptual clarity, and strong relevance to society and current affairs. It helps aspirants develop a sociological perspective that is useful not only for the optional paper but also for Essay and General Studies papers, especially GS-I and GS-II. The Sociology syllabus is divided into two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks, for a total of 500 marks. Below is the detailed syllabus for Sociology as prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Why Choose Sociology as an Optional?

• Overlap with General Studies: Sociology overlaps significantly with GS Paper I (Indian Society) and GS Paper II (Social Justice, Welfare Schemes), as well as contributes valuable insights for Essay and Ethics papers.
• Scoring Potential: With a well-structured approach and sociological perspective, candidates can score well. The subject allows for objective presentation of arguments supported by examples and thinkers.
• Interest and Relevance: Sociology offers a deeper understanding of society, institutions, and social change—making it intellectually engaging and practically relevant in the context of governance and public policy.
• Resource Availability: The subject has ample resources including standard books, notes, online platforms, and mentoring support, making it easier for aspirants to prepare effectively.

In this EduRev document, let's have a look at the syllabus of Sociology Optional Subject along with a preparation strategy.

Paper - I

Fundamentals of Sociology

Sociology - The Discipline:
(a) Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of sociology.
(b) Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.
(c) Sociology and common sense.

Sociology as Science​
(a) Science, scientific method and critique.
(b) Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
(c) Positivism and its critique.
(d) Fact value and objectivity.
(e) Non-positivist methodologies.

Research Methods and Analysis:
(a) Qualitative and quantitative methods.
(b) Techniques of data collection.
(c) Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.

Sociological Thinkers:
(a) Karl Marx - Historical materialism, alienation, class struggle.
(b) Emile Durkheim - Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society.
(c) Max Weber - Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
(d) Talcolt Parsons - Social system, pattern variables.
(e) Robert K. Merton - Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.
(f) Mead - Self and identity.

Stratification and Mobility:
(a) Concepts - equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation.
(b) Theories of social stratification - Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
(c) Dimensions - Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.
(d) Social mobility - open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.

Works and Economic Life:
(a) Social organization of work in different types of society - slave society, feudal society, industrial/capitalist society.
(b) Formal and informal organization of work.
(c) Labour and society.

Politics and Society:
(a) Sociological theories of power.
(b) Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
(c) Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
(d) Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.

Religion and Society:
(a) Sociological theories of religion.
(b) Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.
(c) Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.

Systems of Kinship:
(a) Family, household, marriage.
(b) Types and forms of family.
(c) Lineage and descent.
(d) Patriarchy and sexual division of labour.
(e) Contemporary trends.

Social Change in Modern Society:
(a) Sociological theories of social change.
(b) Development and dependency.
(c) Agents of social change.
(d) Education and social change.
(e) Science, technology and social change.

Paper - II

Indian Society: Structure and Change

Introducing Indian Society:
(i) Perspectives on the study of Indian society:
(a) Indology (GS. Ghurye).
(b) Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
(c) Marxist sociology (A R Desai).
(ii) Impact of colonial rule on Indian society:
(a) Social background of Indian nationalism.
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition.
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period.
(d) Social reforms.

Social Structure:
(i) Rural and Agrarian Social Structure:
(a) The idea of Indian village and village studies.
(b) Agrarian social structure - evolution of land tenure system, land reforms.
(ii) Caste System:
(a) Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
(b) Features of caste system.
(c) Untouchability - forms and perspectives.
(iii) Tribal Communities in India:
(a) Definitional problems.
(b) Geographical spread.
(c) Colonial policies and tribes.
(d) Issues of integration and autonomy.
(iv) Social Classes in India:
(a) Agrarian class structure.
(b) Industrial class structure.
(c) Middle classes in India.
(v) Systems of Kinship in India:
(a) Lineage and descent in India.
(b) Types of kinship systems.
(c) Family and marriage in India.
(d) Household dimensions of the family.
(e) Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour.
(vi) Religion and Society:
(a) Religious communities in India.
(b) Problems of religious minorities.

Social Changes in India:
(i) Visions of Social Change in India:
(a) Idea of development planning and mixed economy.
(b) Constitution, law and social change.
(c) Education and social change.
(ii) Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India:
(a) Programmes of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation schemes.
(b) Green revolution and social change.
(c) Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
(d) Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.
(iii) Industrialization and Urbanisation in India:
(a) Evolution of modern industry in India.
(b) Growth of urban settlements in India.
(c) Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
(d) Informal sector, child labour.
(e) Slums and deprivation in urban areas.
(iv) Politics and Society:
(a) Nation, democracy and citizenship.
(b) Political parties, pressure groups, social and political elite.
(c) Regionalism and decentralization of power.
(d) Secularization.
(v) Social Movements in Modern India:
(a) Peasants and farmers movements.
(b) Women’s movement.
(c) Backward classes & Dalit movement.
(d) Environmental movements.
(e) Ethnicity and Identity movements.
(vi) Population Dynamics:
(a) Population size, growth, composition and distribution.
(b) Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
(c) Population policy and family planning.
(d) Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.
(vii) Challenges of Social Transformation:
(a) Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems and sustainability.
(b) Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
(c) Violence against women.
(d) Caste conflicts.
(e) Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
(f) Illiteracy and disparities in education.

Preparation Strategy for Sociology Optional

Preparing for Sociology Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Examination requires a strategic approach to cover the syllabus comprehensively, understand key concepts, and develop answer-writing skills. Below is a structured preparation strategy to excel in Sociology Optional:

• Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with the entire syllabus for Paper I and Paper II. Break it down into smaller sections and prioritize topics based on their weightage in previous years’ question papers. Use resources like EduRev Sociology Optional Notes for detailed explanations.
• Build a Strong Foundation: Start with standard textbooks such as Sociology: Themes and Perspectives by Haralambos and Holborn for Paper I and Social Change in Modern India by M.N. Srinivas for Paper II. Focus on understanding core concepts like sociological thinkers (Karl Marx, Durkheim, Weber) and Indian sociological perspectives (Ghurye, Srinivas).
• Integrate Current Affairs: Link sociological concepts to contemporary issues, especially for Paper II topics like social movements, violence against women, and population dynamics. Regularly read newspapers and magazines like The Hindu and Yojana to identify relevant examples.
• Practice Answer Writing: Sociology demands analytical and well-structured answers. Practice writing answers for past UPSC questions, focusing on clarity, sociological terminology, and examples. Join a test series or use platforms like EduRev for mock tests and feedback.
• Focus on Interlinking Papers: Many topics in Paper I (e.g., social change, politics and society) are relevant to Paper II (e.g., visions of social change). Use theoretical frameworks from Paper I to enrich answers in Paper II.
• Make Concise Notes: Prepare topic-wise notes summarizing key concepts, thinkers, and case studies. Include diagrams or flowcharts for complex topics like social stratification or lineage and descent to aid revision.
• Revise Regularly: Allocate time for periodic revision to retain concepts, especially for sociological thinkers and Indian society topics. Use resources like EduRev’s Sociology Optional Course for quick revision notes.
• Time Management: Create a study schedule that balances Sociology with General Studies and other optional subjects. Dedicate 2-3 hours daily to Sociology, covering one topic from Paper I and Paper II each week.