UPSC Mains 2021 Sociology Optional Paper II questions

29 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Sociology Optional PYQs

1. Write short answers, with a sociological perspective, of the following questions

2. Caste system studies in India have been dominated by the "book-view" initially. How did the entry of "field-view" bring about a balance in the study of Indian caste system? Discuss. amie

3. What does Dr. 8. R. Ambedkar mean by the concept of "Annihilation of caste"?

4. Discuss different forms of kinship system in India.

5. Critically examine briefly the phrase "Little Republics" as used to denote India's villages.

6. Caste-like formations are present in Non-Hindu religious communities as well. Discuss with examples.

   10 marks

7. What is identity politics? Discuss the main trends in Dalit movements in India.

   20 marks

8. Is Indian society moving from "Hierarchy" towards "differentiation"? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.

   20 marks

9. Discuss the salient features of 'new middle class' in India.

   10 marks

10. Discuss in detail the major contribution of Prof. Yogendra Singh in theorizing India's modernization.

    20 marks

11. Examine the factors responsible for the rural unrest in contemporary India.

    20 marks

12. Discuss the changing dimensions of family structure in urban India.

    10 marks

13. What are the sociological reasons and implication of "reverse migration" during; the recent pandemic in India?

    20 marks

14. Discuss the main features of the debate between G. S. Ghurye and V. Elwin on tribal development.

    20 marks

15. What are the various forms of untouchability in India? Critically examine.

16. Analyze the idea of developmental planning in India.

    10 marks

17. Comment on the role of co-operatives in rural development.

    10 marks

18. Urban slums are sites of social exclusion — explain.

    10 marks

19. Does regionalism essentially lead to decentralization of power? Substantiate your answer with relevant examples.

    10 marks

20. Discuss the role of technology in agrarian change in India.

21. Explain the sociological significance of the New Education Policy and its thrust on vocationalization and skill development.

    20 marks

22. Is 'ageing' an emerging issue in Indian society? Discuss the major problems of the old age people in India.

    20 marks

23. Underline the socio-cultural factors responsible for India's skewed sex-ratio.

24. The problem of displacement is inherent in the idea of development. Analyze the statement critically.

    20 marks

25. Rising 'ethnocentricism' is leading to conflict in our society. Assess this statement with appropriate reasons.

    20 marks

26. Is social democracy a precondition for political democracy? Comment.

    10 marks

27. Discuss the role of social media in communal polarisation. Suggest ways to combat it.

    20 marks

28. Urban settlements in India tend to replicate its rural caste-kinship imprints. Discuss the main reasons.

    20 marks

29. Does "economic empowerment" automatically bring about "substantive empowerment" for women? Briefly describe the main issues in women empowerment in India.

    10 marks