UPSC Mains 2023 Sociology Optional Paper I questions

27 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2023. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Sociology Optional PYQs

1. What is the distinctiveness of the feminist method of social research? Comment.

2. Discuss the relationship between sociology and political science.

3. How does the dramaturgical perspective enable our understanding of everyday life?

4. Is reference group theory a universally applicable model? Elucidate.

5. AIRS Do you think that the boundary line between ethnicity and race is blurred? Justify your answer.

6. What, according to Robert Michels, is the iron law of oligarchy? Do lions and foxes in Vilfredo Pareto's theory, essentially differ from each other? Substantiate.

   20 marks

7. What is historical materialism? Examine its relevance in understanding contemporary societies.

   20 marks

8. What are variables? How do they facilitate research?

9. What are the characteristics of scientific method? Do you think that scientific method in conducting sociological research is foolproof? Elaborate. 20 (ob) aT ada ware Harder aaa sacra wheat a strap HA HUGE? How do you assess the changing patterns in kinship relations in societies today?

   20 marks

10. Is Weber's idea of bureaucracy a product of the historical experiences of Europe? Comment.

    10 marks

11. Do you think that common sense is the starting point of social research? What are its advantages and limitations? Explain.

    20 marks

12. How is poverty a form of social exclusion? Illustrate in this connection the different dimensions of poverty and social exclusion.

    20 marks

13. Highlight the differences and similarities between totemism and animism.

    10 marks

14. Examine the relevance of corporate social responsibility in a world marked by increasing environmental crises.

15. How is civil society useful in deepening the roots of democracy?

16. What functions does religion perform in a pluralistic society?

17. Analyze critically David Morgan's views on family practices.

18. Does women's education help to eradicate patriarchal discriminations? Reflect with illustrations.

19. What are the different dimensions of qualitative method? Do you think that qualitative method helps to gain a deeper sociological insight? Give reasons for your answer.

    20 marks

20. Explain Max Weber's theory of social stratification. How does Weber's idea of class differ from that of Marx?

    20 marks

21. What are the ethical issues that a researcher faces in making use of participant observation as a method of collecting data? Explain.

    10 marks

22. Explain how economic globalization has brought changes in the patterns of: employment in the 21st century.

    20 marks

23. Do you think that the social media has brought significant changes in the forms of protest? Argue your case.

    20 marks

24. Assess critically A. G. Frank's 'theory of development of underdevelopment'.

    10 marks

25. What is Taylorism? Analyze its merits and demerits.

    20 marks

26. What are new religious movements? Elaborate emphasizing their forms and orientations.

    20 marks

27. Examine the role of science and technology in addressing age-old taboos and superstitions.

    10 marks