UPSC Mains 2026 Sociology Optional Paper I questions

28 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Sociology Optional PYQs

1. In what ways do class and caste intersect and overlap in shaping social structure?

2. Critically examine the position of women in the informal economy.

   10 marks

3. Discuss the role of geographical factors in social change and development.

   10 marks

4. Although sociology, as a subject of study, overarches all disciplines in social sciences yet it maintains its distinctiveness. Comment.

   10 marks

5. Explain in brief the relationship between social movement, collective action and revolution in bringing about social and political changes.

   10 marks

6. Describe the impact of capitalist mode of production on society.

   20 marks

7. Differentiate between social hierarchy and social exclusion and substantiate your answer with reference to the caste system.

   20 marks

8. Data without theory is blind and theory without data is empty.' Comment.

   10 marks

9. Discuss the relationship between religion and science in modern society. Do they necessarily remain in conflict?

   20 marks

10. Is 'interpretativism' more effective than 'positivism' in analysing social reality? Discuss.

    20 marks

11. How does Emile Durkheim conceptualize religion as a 'social fact'? Explain.

    10 marks

12. Elaborate major sociological theories of power. How do power elite shape the political process in modern societies?

    20 marks

13. Evaluate the socio-economic impacts of migration on rural households.

    20 marks

14. The methods of sociology are inadequate in understanding the complex social phenomena'. Discuss.

    10 marks

15. The major challenge for sociology researchers is to analyze social reality objectively. Critically analyze.

    10 marks

16. Explain the concept of 'definition of the situation' and its significance in sociology.

17. In what way the concept of 'patriarchal bargain' be applied to the institution of marriage? Comment.

    10 marks

18. How does Max Weber's 'theory of authority' shape bureaucracy? Analyse.

    10 marks

19. How do different theories explain social dimensions of social movements? Discuss.

20. Discuss the intellectual origins of sociology and the historical antecedents of its evolution as a distinct field of study.

    20 marks

21. Critically analyse the mode of production debate from different perspectives.

    20 marks

22. How does the rise of new 'cults' and 'sects' influence intercaste relations?

    10 marks

23. Compare and critically assess 'the grounded theory' with 'theory-driven research method' in sociology.

    20 marks

24. According to Weber how do class, status and power interact to produce and sustain social inequality?

    20 marks

25. Compare the social organisation of work in industrial capitalism and platform capitalism.

    10 marks

26. How are the concepts of nation, state and citizenship interrelated in a democracy? Elaborate.

    20 marks

27. Critically evaluate the relevance of the cyclical theory of social change in understanding contemporary societies.

    20 marks

28. Discuss the significance and limitations of 'intersectionality' in social research..