UPSC Mains SOCIOLOGY-PAPER-I 2025

28 Questions • 400 Marks • With Detailed Model Answers

1
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(a) What is common sense? How are common knowledge and sociology related to each other? Explain.

SociologySocial Theory
2
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(b) What is the relationship (similarities and differences) between sociology and history in terms of their area of study and methodology? Discuss.

SociologyHistorySocial Science Disciplines
3
10 Marks150 Wordseasy

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(c) What is a variable in social research? What are their different types? Elaborate.

Social Research MethodologyQuantitative Research
4
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(d) Can Merton's reference group theory be relevant in understanding 'identity making' in digital world? Explain.

Social PsychologySociological TheoryDigital Sociology
5
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(e) Is the social stratification theory gender-blind? Elucidate.

Social StratificationGender StudiesSocial Inequality
6
20 Markshard

What is positivism? Critically analyze the major arguments against it.

Sociological TheoryPhilosophy of Social Science
7
20 Marksmedium

Highlight the main features of historical materialism as propounded by Marx. How far is this theory relevant in understanding contemporary societies? Explain.

Sociological TheoryMarxismSocial Change
8
10 Markseasy

What do you mean by reliability? Discuss the importance of reliability in social science research.

Social Research MethodologyResearch Ethics
9
20 Marksmedium

Compare capability deprivation approach with that of social capital deprivation in understanding chronic poverty.

Development StudiesSociology of PovertySocial Capital
10
20 Marksmedium

Are pressure groups a threat to or a necessary element of democracy? Explain with suitable illustrations.

Political ScienceDemocracyCivil Society
11
10 Marksmedium

What is hypothesis? Critically evaluate the significance of hypothesis in social research.

Social Research MethodologyScientific Method
12
20 Marksmedium

Give an account of the recent trends of marriage in the Indian context. How are these different from traditional practices?

Sociology of FamilySocial ChangeIndian Society
13
20 Markshard

What would you identify as the similarities and differences in the elite theories of Mosca, Michels and Pareto? Discuss their main/crucial issues.

Political SociologySociological TheoryPower
14
10 Marksmedium

Critically analyze the sociological significance of informal sector in the economy of developing societies.

Sociology of EconomyDevelopment StudiesInformal Economy
15
10 Marks150 Wordseasy

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(a) In what way is the scope of sociology unique? Explain.

SociologySocial Science Disciplines
16
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(b) Does the structural-functionalist perspective on social stratification promote a status quo? Give reasons for your answer.

Sociological TheorySocial Stratification
17
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(c) Do you think that the formal workspaces are free of gender bias? Argue your case.

Gender StudiesSociology of WorkSocial Inequality
18
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(d) How does Weber's Verstehen address the objectivity-subjectivity debate in sociology?

Sociological TheoryPhilosophy of Social Science
19
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(e) To what extent can education and skill development be an agent of social change? Critically analyze.

Sociology of EducationSocial ChangeDevelopment
20
20 Marksmedium

What is science? Do you think that the methods used in natural sciences can be applied to sociology? Give reasons for your answer.

Philosophy of Social ScienceSocial Research Methodology
21
20 Marksmedium

What do you understand by gender-based domestic division of labour? Is it undergoing a change in the wake of increasing participation of women in formal employment? Clarify your answer with illustrations.

Gender StudiesSociology of FamilySociology of Work
22
10 Marksmedium

How can you assess the significance of social movements in the digital era? Explain.

Social MovementsDigital SociologySociology of Collective Action
23
20 Markseasy

What is sampling in the context of social research? Discuss different forms of sampling with their relative advantages and disadvantages.

Social Research MethodologyQuantitative Research
24
20 Markshard

How do theories of Marx, Weber and Durkheim differ in understanding religion? Explain.

Sociological TheorySociology of Religion
25
10 Marksmedium

What is the nature of relationship between science and religion in modern society? Analyze with suitable examples.

Sociology of ScienceSociology of ReligionModern Society
26
20 Marksmedium

What do you understand by sustainable development? Discuss the elements of sustainable development as proposed in the UNDP's Sustainable Development Goals Report-2015.

Development StudiesEnvironmentGlobal Goals
27
20 Marksmedium

How do 'Civil Society Organizations' such as 'NGOs' and 'Self-Help Groups' contribute to grassroot level social changes? Discuss.

Civil SocietySocial MovementsDevelopment Studies
28
10 Marksmedium

In what way does queer kinship challenge the traditional kinship system? Substantiate by giving illustrations.

Gender StudiesSociology of FamilySocial Change