Mock Test Paper - 1 (Sociology Optional Paper- II): Answers | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Answers

SECTION A

Q1(a):
Ans: The caste system in rural India persists due to social and economic factors. Socially, caste is reinforced by endogamy, ensuring marriages within caste groups, and ritual practices tied to purity and hierarchy. Traditional occupations, like farming or artisanal work, align with caste identities, maintaining social order. Economically, land ownership patterns perpetuate caste dominance, with upper castes controlling resources. Limited access to education and jobs restricts mobility for lower castes. For instance, in 2024, Dalits in rural Uttar Pradesh faced exclusion from land rights. Caste-based networks provide economic support, reinforcing loyalty to caste. Despite modernization, cultural norms and economic disparities sustain caste hierarchies. Government policies like reservations exist, but their rural implementation is weak, allowing caste to endure as a social and economic institution.

Q1(b):
Ans: Globalization has transformed India’s industrial class structure, creating new dynamics. It has expanded the middle class through IT and service sectors, with 25% of India’s workforce in services by 2024. Multinational corporations have increased skilled labor demand, elevating professionals’ status. However, it has widened inequality, as unskilled workers remain in low-wage manufacturing. The gig economy, fueled by global platforms like Uber, has created a precarious working class, with 15 million gig workers in 2025. Globalization has weakened traditional industrial elites, like factory owners, while empowering corporate leaders. For example, Bengaluru’s tech hub reflects a new affluent class, contrasting with declining factory workers in older industrial cities. While globalization fosters economic growth, it exacerbates class disparities, reshaping India’s industrial landscape.

Q1(c): (PYQ)
Ans: Patriarchy is a critical lens for understanding inequalities in Indian society, as it shapes gender, caste, and economic disparities. It restricts women’s access to education, employment, and property, perpetuating gender inequality. For instance, only 27% of women were in India’s workforce in 2024. Patriarchal norms reinforce caste hierarchies by controlling marriage and inheritance, limiting social mobility. Economic inequalities stem from patriarchal control over resources, with women owning less than 10% of land. However, patriarchy alone cannot explain all inequalities; class, religion, and region also intersect. For example, urban women face less rigid norms than rural women. While patriarchy underpins many social structures, a multidimensional approach, including economic and caste factors, is needed to fully address India’s complex inequalities.

Q1(d):
Ans: Changing marriage patterns in urban India, driven by modernization, impact family structures significantly. Rising inter-caste and love marriages, with 11% of urban marriages inter-caste in 2024, weaken traditional joint families, favoring nuclear setups. Delayed marriages due to career priorities reduce family size, with urban fertility rates at 1.6 in 2025. Increased divorce rates, up 15% in cities, challenge family stability. Women’s education and employment foster egalitarian roles, altering patriarchal structures. For example, dual-income urban couples share responsibilities, unlike traditional families. However, these changes strain kinship ties, reducing extended family support. While nuclear families promote autonomy, they increase emotional and financial pressures. Urbanization thus reshapes family dynamics, balancing individual freedom with challenges to traditional cohesion.

Q1(e):
Ans: Child labour persists in India despite legal measures like the Child Labour Act, 1986, due to socio-economic factors. Poverty drives families to rely on children’s income, with 5 million child laborers in 2024, mainly in agriculture and informal sectors. Weak enforcement, due to inadequate inspections, allows violations in rural areas. Lack of quality education and high dropout rates, especially in marginalized communities, perpetuate the cycle. For instance, in 2025, Bihar’s brick kilns employed children due to economic necessity. Cultural acceptance in some regions normalizes child work. Government schemes like Mid-Day Meals exist, but implementation gaps remain. Addressing child labour requires stricter enforcement, universal education, and poverty alleviation to break the socio-economic barriers sustaining this practice.

Q2(a): (PYQ)
Ans:
Introduction: The study of Indian society through Western and Indological perspectives differs in approach and focus, with G. S. Ghurye’s contributions shaping the latter.

Body:

• Western Perspective: Emphasizes universal theories, like functionalism or Marxism, viewing Indian society through class or modernization lenses. It often overlooks cultural nuances, applying Eurocentric frameworks.

• Indological Perspective: Focuses on India’s cultural and historical uniqueness, drawing from texts like Vedas and epics. It prioritizes caste, religion, and traditions, offering context-specific insights.

• Ghurye’s Contributions:

  • Caste Studies: Analyzed caste as a dynamic institution, blending textual and empirical approaches.

  • Cultural Unity: Argued India’s diversity is unified by shared cultural practices, like pilgrimage networks.

  • Example: His 2024-relevant work on caste’s persistence informs modern policy debates.

• Critique: Indological approach risks overemphasizing tradition, but Ghurye balanced it with sociological rigor.

Conclusion: Western and Indological perspectives complement each other, with Ghurye’s Indological work providing a culturally grounded framework for understanding Indian society’s complexities.

Q2(b):
Ans:
Introduction: Defining and classifying tribes in India is complex, and their development faces significant socio-economic barriers, impacting their integration and progress.

Body:

• Definitional Challenges:

  • Heterogeneity: Tribes vary in culture, language, and geography, complicating a universal definition.

  • Administrative Criteria: Government uses markers like isolation and backwardness, but these are vague, leading to misclassification.

  • Example: In 2024, some Odisha tribes were excluded from benefits due to definitional disputes.

• Development Barriers:

  • Economic Marginalization: Limited access to land and jobs, with 40% of tribals below poverty in 2025.

  • Education Gaps: Low literacy rates, like 59% among tribals, hinder progress.

  • Displacement: Development projects, like mining, displace tribes, disrupting livelihoods.

• Solutions: Inclusive policies and culturally sensitive education can address barriers.

Conclusion: Clarifying tribal definitions and addressing socio-economic challenges through targeted interventions are crucial for equitable tribal development in India.

Q2(c):
Ans: M. N. Srinivas’s ‘Sanskritization’ refers to lower castes adopting upper-caste rituals, lifestyles, and practices to gain social mobility. It involves emulating Brahmanical norms, like vegetarianism or temple worship, to elevate status. In contemporary India, its relevance persists but is nuanced. For instance, in 2024, Dalit communities in Uttar Pradesh adopted upper-caste festivals to assert social dignity. However, economic mobility and education now drive status more than ritual emulation. Urbanization and globalization weaken traditional norms, with youth prioritizing modern identities. Sanskritization’s role is limited in urban contexts but remains significant in rural areas, where caste hierarchies endure. It highlights social aspiration but overlooks structural barriers like economic inequality, making it a partial explanation of mobility.

Q3(a):
Ans:
Introduction: Education is a vital tool for addressing social inequalities in India by fostering mobility, empowerment, and inclusion across caste, gender, and economic divides.

Body:

• Role in Reducing Inequalities:

  • Social Mobility: Education enables lower castes to access jobs, as seen in reservation policies benefiting 10 million students in 2024.

  • Gender Empowerment: Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao increased girls’ enrollment by 15% in 2025.

  • Economic Inclusion: Skill-based education reduces income disparities, e.g., IT training for rural youth.

• Examples: In 2024, SWAYAM’s online courses bridged urban-rural gaps, empowering marginalized groups. Delhi’s free coaching for SC/ST students boosted civil service aspirants.

• Challenges: Unequal access, with 30% dropout rates in rural schools, and quality disparities hinder impact.

• Solutions: Expanding digital education and teacher training can enhance equity.

Conclusion: Education is a powerful equalizer, but systemic reforms are needed to ensure universal access and quality, reducing India’s deep-rooted inequalities.

Q3(b): (PYQ)
Ans:
Introduction: Constitutional provisions for women in India, such as equality and affirmative action, aim to promote their uplift, but their effectiveness is debated.

Body:

• Provisions and Impact:

  • Equality: Articles 14-16 ensure equal rights, increasing women’s workforce participation to 27% in 2024.

  • Reservations: 33% reservation in local governance empowered 1.4 million women leaders by 2025.

  • Legal Protections: Laws like the Domestic Violence Act support women’s safety.

• Limitations:

  • Implementation Gaps: Weak enforcement, especially in rural areas, limits impact.

  • Cultural Barriers: Patriarchy restricts women’s access to rights, e.g., low land ownership.

  • Example: 2024 data shows persistent gender wage gaps despite legal mandates.

• Reasons for Partial Success: Awareness, education, and urban progress aid uplift, but systemic issues hinder comprehensive change.

Conclusion: Constitutional provisions have advanced women’s status, but cultural and structural barriers necessitate stronger implementation for holistic uplift.

Q3(c):
Ans: Religion fosters social cohesion in India by uniting diverse communities through shared beliefs and practices. Festivals like Diwali or Eid promote inter-community participation, strengthening bonds. Religious institutions, such as temples or mosques, serve as social hubs, fostering solidarity. For example, in 2024, community kitchens during festivals supported social harmony. Pilgrimages, like the Kumbh Mela, reinforce collective identity. However, religion can also divide, as seen in occasional communal tensions. Interfaith initiatives in 2025, like joint celebrations in urban areas, highlight religion’s unifying potential. By providing moral frameworks and community networks, religion bridges caste and regional divides, though its role depends on inclusive practices. Religion’s cohesive power is vital in India’s pluralistic society, balancing diversity with unity.

Q4(a):
Ans:
Introduction: Decentralization, devolving power to local bodies, strengthens grassroots democracy in India but faces significant challenges.

Body:

• Impact on Democracy:

  • Participation: Panchayati Raj empowers 3.1 million elected representatives, enhancing local governance in 2024.

  • Accountability: Local bodies address community needs, like water management in rural areas.

  • Empowerment: Reservations for women and SC/STs promote inclusive decision-making.

• Examples: In 2025, Kerala’s decentralized health initiatives improved rural healthcare access.

• Challenges:

  • Funding Shortages: Limited resources hinder effective governance.

  • Elite Capture: Dominant groups control local bodies, marginalizing weaker sections.

  • Capacity Gaps: Lack of training affects efficiency, as seen in 2024 rural projects.

• Solutions: Increased funding and capacity-building can enhance decentralization’s impact.

Conclusion: Decentralization bolsters grassroots democracy by fostering participation, but overcoming financial and structural challenges is essential for its full potential in India.

Q4(b): (PYQ)
Ans:
Introduction: Untouchability, though legally abolished, persists in India, manifesting in subtle and overt forms, perpetuating social exclusion.

Body:

• Forms of Untouchability:

  • Social Exclusion: Dalits face restricted temple access, as in 2024 incidents in Rajasthan.

  • Economic Discrimination: Limited job opportunities, with Dalits often in low-wage roles.

  • Spatial Segregation: Separate settlements for Dalits in rural areas, seen in 2025 Uttar Pradesh.

• Illustrations: In 2024, Dalit students faced discrimination in school seating arrangements. Manual scavenging, despite bans, persists, employing 1.2 million Dalits.

• Causes: Deep-rooted caste norms, weak legal enforcement, and economic dependency sustain practices.

• Solutions: Awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement, and economic empowerment can reduce untouchability.

Conclusion: Untouchability’s persistence reflects systemic inequalities, requiring robust social and legal interventions to ensure dignity and inclusion for marginalized communities.

Q4(c):
Ans: Caste shapes political mobilization in India by influencing voting patterns, party strategies, and leadership. Caste-based vote banks, like Yadavs in Bihar, drive electoral outcomes, with 2024 elections showcasing their influence. Political parties form alliances targeting specific castes, such as BJP’s outreach to OBCs. Caste associations, like Jat or Dalit groups, mobilize communities for policy demands, as seen in 2025 reservation protests. However, caste politics can deepen divisions, undermining broader social cohesion. Ambedkar’s legacy inspires Dalit political assertion, with parties like BSP gaining traction. While caste ensures representation for marginalized groups, it risks reducing politics to identity, neglecting universal issues. Its role remains pivotal in India’s democratic landscape, balancing inclusion with potential fragmentation.

SECTION B

Q5(a):
Ans: Metropolitan cities in India are growing due to economic, social, and infrastructural factors. Economic opportunities in IT and services drive migration, with Bengaluru hosting 10 million residents in 2024. Government policies, like Smart Cities Mission, enhance urban infrastructure, attracting investment. Social factors, including better education and healthcare, pull rural migrants, with Delhi’s universities enrolling 2 million students in 2025. Industrial corridors, like Mumbai-Pune, spur urban expansion. However, rapid growth strains resources, causing slums and pollution. For example, Hyderabad’s tech boom increased its population by 8% in 2024, but water shortages persisted. Urbanization reflects economic progress but demands sustainable planning to address overcrowding and environmental challenges, ensuring balanced metropolitan development.

Q5(b): (PYQ)
Ans: Labour migration and the informal sector in India are closely linked, driven by economic necessity. Migrants, often from rural areas, seek work in cities, with 40% of India’s workforce in the informal sector in 2024. Lack of skills and education pushes migrants into low-wage jobs, like construction or street vending. For instance, Bihar migrants in Delhi’s informal markets face job insecurity. The informal sector absorbs surplus labor but offers no social security, perpetuating vulnerability. Urban demand for cheap labor fuels this cycle, as seen in 2025’s gig economy growth. Policies like MGNREGA reduce rural migration, but urban informal work remains dominant. This connection highlights structural inequalities, requiring skill development and labor protections to improve migrant workers’ conditions.

Q5(c):
Ans: Urbanization and industrialization drive slum settlements in India, reflecting socio-economic disparities. Rapid urban growth, with 35% of India’s population urban in 2024, creates housing shortages, pushing migrants into slums. Industrial hubs, like Mumbai, attract labor, but low wages prevent access to formal housing, leading to settlements like Dharavi. Slums house 65 million people, lacking sanitation and water. Urbanization’s failure to provide inclusive infrastructure exacerbates this, as seen in Delhi’s 2025 slum expansions. However, slums are also vibrant economic hubs, with informal businesses thriving. They manifest unplanned urbanization and industrial demand for cheap labor, necessitating policies for affordable housing and slum rehabilitation to address root causes while leveraging their economic potential.

Q5(d):
Ans: Women’s role in Indian politics has evolved, with increased participation and influence. In 2024, women held 14% of Lok Sabha seats, up from 5% in 1990. Constitutional provisions, like 33% reservation in local bodies, empowered 1.4 million women leaders by 2025. Women like Mamata Banerjee lead major parties, shaping policy. Grassroots movements, such as Self-Help Groups, amplify women’s political voices. However, challenges like patriarchy and violence persist, with 2024 election campaigns targeting women candidates. Education and awareness drive change, but representation remains uneven, especially for marginalized women. Women’s growing presence strengthens democratic inclusivity, but systemic barriers must be addressed to ensure equitable political participation and influence.

Q5(e):
Ans: The 2024-2025 farmers’ protests in India, centered in Punjab and Haryana, demanded better crop prices and loan waivers. Building on 2020-2021 protests, they pressured the government, leading to 2024 MSP reforms. Farmers used social media, like X, to mobilize support, gaining urban solidarity. However, protests disrupted supply chains, impacting urban economies. They highlighted agrarian distress, with 50% of farmers in debt in 2024. Government concessions, like increased subsidies, addressed some demands, but structural issues, like land fragmentation, persist. The protests strengthened farmer unions but deepened rural-urban divides. Their impact underscores the need for sustainable agrarian policies, balancing farmers’ livelihoods with economic stability, while addressing systemic challenges like climate change and market volatility.

Q6(a):
Ans:
Introduction: Maternal healthcare in India faces significant challenges, impacting women’s health and well-being, necessitating targeted interventions.

Body:

• Challenges:

  • Access Gaps: Rural areas lack facilities, with 40% of women delivering without skilled care in 2024.

  • Malnutrition: Anemia affects 50% of pregnant women, increasing mortality risks.

  • Cultural Barriers: Early marriages raise complications, as seen in 2025 rural data.

• Examples: Uttar Pradesh’s high maternal mortality rate (200 per 100,000) reflects systemic issues.

• Measures:

  • Infrastructure: Expand rural health centers and train midwives.

  • Awareness: Campaigns to delay marriages and promote nutrition, like Poshan Abhiyaan.

  • Policy: Strengthen schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana with better funding.

• Relevance: Addressing these improves maternal and child health outcomes.

Conclusion: Enhancing maternal healthcare requires infrastructure, education, and policy reforms to ensure equitable access and reduce mortality in India.

Q6(b): (PYQ)
Ans:
Introduction: Sustainable development balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity, but India faces conflicts between livelihoods and conservation.

Body:

• Definition: Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations, per UN frameworks.

• Challenges in India:

  • Livelihood Conflicts: Mining and deforestation threaten tribal livelihoods, displacing 1 million in 2024.

  • Urbanization: Rapid urban growth, with 35% urban population, strains resources.

  • Example: 2025 protests against coastal projects highlighted livelihood-environment tensions.

• Solutions:

  • Green Technologies: Promote solar energy, reducing fossil fuel reliance.

  • Community Involvement: Engage locals in conservation, like Joint Forest Management.

  • Policy: Enforce stricter environmental laws with livelihood support.

• Relevance: Balancing growth with sustainability is critical for India’s future.

Conclusion: Achieving sustainability requires integrating environmental protection with livelihood security through innovative policies and community-driven approaches.

Q6(c):
Ans: Pressure groups are organized entities influencing policy without seeking power, like farmer unions or trade bodies. In Indian democracy, they shape decision-making by advocating for specific interests. For example, in 2024, ASSOCHAM influenced tax policies favoring industries. They mobilize public opinion, as seen in 2025 farmers’ protests pushing MSP reforms. Pressure groups enhance representation, amplifying marginalized voices, like Dalit organizations. However, elite-dominated groups may skew policies, and aggressive tactics can disrupt governance. Their role strengthens democratic pluralism by ensuring diverse interests are heard, but transparency and inclusivity are needed to prevent undue influence and maintain balanced decision-making in India’s complex socio-political landscape.

Q7(a):
Ans:
Introduction: The interplay between tribal identity, environmental movements, and development policies in India reflects tensions and synergies, shaping socio-political dynamics.

Body:

• Tribal Identity: Tribes, like the Dongria Kondh, tie identity to land and forests, resisting displacement.

• Environmental Movements: Movements like Narmada Bachao Andolan align with tribal struggles, opposing projects threatening ecosystems, as in 2024 mining protests.

• Development Policies: Infrastructure projects, like 2025 industrial corridors, prioritize growth but displace tribes, sparking resistance.

• Synergies: Environmental movements amplify tribal voices, securing legal protections like the Forest Rights Act.

• Tensions: Development often overrides tribal rights, with 1 million displaced by 2024.

• Example: Chhattisgarh’s 2025 anti-mining protests linked tribal identity with environmentalism.

• Solutions: Inclusive policies respecting tribal rights can harmonize development and conservation.

Conclusion: Balancing tribal identity, environmentalism, and development requires participatory policies to ensure sustainability and equity in India’s growth trajectory.

Q7(b):
Ans:
Introduction: Legal measures in India aim to curb gender-based violence, but their effectiveness is limited by implementation and societal challenges.

Body:

• Legal Provisions:

  • Laws: Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and Section 498A IPC address violence, with 100,000 cases filed in 2024.

  • Amendments: Stricter penalties under POCSO Act protect women and children.

• Effectiveness:

  • Positive Impact: Increased reporting, with 30% rise in domestic violence cases, reflects awareness.

  • Limitations: Low conviction rates (20% in 2025) due to delays and evidence issues.

• Challenges: Patriarchy normalizes violence, and police insensitivity discourages victims.

• Example: 2024 urban campaigns on X raised awareness but didn’t reduce rural violence.

• Solutions: Faster trials, gender-sensitive policing, and awareness can enhance impact.

Conclusion: Legal measures have raised awareness but require robust enforcement and societal change to effectively reduce gender-based violence in India.

Q7(c):
Ans: Tribal movements in India evolved from colonial resistance to modern struggles for rights and identity. Historically, 19th-century revolts, like the Santhal Rebellion (1855), opposed British land policies. Post-independence, movements focused on land rights and autonomy, with the Jharkhand movement culminating in statehood in 2000. In 2024, movements like the Pathalgadi in Jharkhand asserted tribal governance. Economic marginalization, with 40% tribals below poverty in 2025, fuels demands for Forest Rights Act implementation. Cultural preservation drives resistance against assimilation, as seen in 2024 Odisha protests. These movements highlight systemic exclusion, seeking equity and recognition, though they face state repression. Their evolution reflects tribes’ resilience in asserting identity and rights.

Q8(a):
Ans:
Introduction: Women-led social reform movements in colonial India addressed gender inequalities, leaving lasting contributions to society.

Body:

• Key Movements and Contributions:

  • Sati Abolition: Raja Ram Mohan Roy and women like Ramabai Ranade supported the 1829 ban, challenging widow immolation.

  • Widow Remarriage: Pandita Ramabai’s advocacy led to the 1856 Act, promoting women’s dignity.

  • Education: Savitribai Phule’s schools for girls empowered women, increasing literacy.

• Impact: These movements challenged patriarchy, inspired constitutional gender equality, and laid foundations for modern feminism.

• Example: In 2024, Phule’s legacy inspired women’s education campaigns.

• Challenges: Resistance from orthodox groups limited immediate impact, but long-term change ensued.

• Relevance: Shaped India’s social fabric, promoting inclusive progress.

Conclusion: Women-led reforms in colonial India were pivotal in advancing gender equity, influencing contemporary policies and empowering future generations.

Q8(b): (PYQ)
Ans:
Introduction: India’s agrarian social structure is marked by inequalities rooted in land, caste, and economic disparities, shaping rural dynamics.

Body:

• Forms of Inequalities:

  • Land Ownership: Upper castes own 70% of arable land, marginalizing Dalits and tribals, as per 2024 data.

  • Caste-Based Access: Lower castes face restricted irrigation and market access, limiting income.

  • Economic Disparities: Small farmers, 80% of rural households, earn less than large landowners.

• Examples: In 2025, Punjab’s small farmers struggled with debt, unlike affluent landowners.

• Causes: Historical land reforms failed to redistribute equitably, and caste norms perpetuate exclusion.

• Implications: Inequalities fuel agrarian distress, sparking 2024 protests.

• Solutions: Land reforms and inclusive policies can reduce disparities.

Conclusion: Agrarian inequalities, driven by structural factors, require systemic reforms to ensure equitable rural development and social justice.

Q8(c):
Ans: NGOs play a critical role in India’s development, addressing gaps in government programs. They provide education, healthcare, and livelihood support, with 3 million NGOs active in 2024. For example, Akshaya Patra fed 2 million schoolchildren, reducing hunger. NGOs empower marginalized groups, like women’s SHGs in 2025, fostering economic inclusion. However, challenges include funding dependency, with 40% relying on foreign aid, and accountability issues, as seen in 2024 financial scandals. Some NGOs face government scrutiny, limiting autonomy. While they bridge service gaps and advocate for rights, their impact depends on transparency and collaboration. NGOs are vital but must navigate structural constraints to sustain their developmental contributions effectively.