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(Exam Paper) UPSC IAS Mains 2014: Sociology

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(Exam Paper) UPSC IAS Mains 2014: Sociology

Paper I

SECTION A

1. Write short answer of the following in about 150 words each:
(a) How is objectivity different from value neutrality? Discuss with reference to Weber’s views on methodology.
(b) How did the emergence of industrial society change the family life in Western Europe?
(c) How is sociological approach to human action different from that of psychological approach?
(d) In what way biographies could be used to study social life?
(e) How can we use reference group theory to understand fashion in society?

2. (a) Which research technique would be most suitable for the study of consumer behavior and its social correlates? Explain.
(b) Identify the similarities and differences between Marx’s theory of ‘alienation’ and Durkheim’s theory of ‘anomie’
(c) How could one use Merton’s concept of deviance to understand the traffic problem in urban India?

3. (a) What do you understand by gender? How does it shape ‘male’ identity?
(b) “According to Max Weber, ‘class’ and ‘status’ are two different dimensions of power”. Discuss
(c) Using Merton’s concepts of ‘manifest’ and ‘latent’ functions, explain the persistence of corruption in Indian society.

4. (a) How does Weber use the notion of ‘ideal types’ in his theory of bureaucracy?
(c) Using Mead’s theory of symbolic interactions, discuss the stages in the formation of gender identity.

SECTION-B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) For Marx, class divisions are outcomes of ‘exploitation’ Discuss.
(b) What are the distinctive features of social organization of work in slave society?
(c) Discuss T. H. Marshall’s views on citizenship
(d) Distinguish between Political Parties and Pressure Groups.
(e) “According to Durkheim, the essence of religion in modern society is the same as religion in primitive society”. Comment.

6. (a) “Power is not a zero-sum game.” Discuss with reference to Weber’s and Parsons’ views.
(b) Critically examine the functionalist views on the institution of family. How do those-help us in understanding family in the present times?
(c) What do you understand by institutionalization of ‘live-in relationship’?

7. (a) How is religious revivalism different from communalism? Elaborate with suitable examples from the India context.
(b) Education is often viewed as an agency of social change. However in reality it could also reinforce inequalities and conservatism. Discuss.
(c) According to Marx, capitalism transforms even the personal relationships between men and women. Critically examine with illustrations from the contemporary Indian context.

8. (a) How is the increasing use of technology changing the status of women in Indian society?
(b) Write a short essay on the Latin American perspective on ‘dependency’
(c) What do you understand by social movement? How has the mobilization by Scheduled Castes helped them in constructing a new identity?

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PAPER II

SECTION A

1. Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about
a. Gandhi’s efforts on communal harmony
b. Modernization of Indian traditions
c. Types of kinship systems in India
d. Features of caste system
e. G. S. Ghurye’s Indological approach to understand society in India

2. (a) Analyse the different views on integration and autonomy of tribes in India.
(b) Discuss the social background of Indian nationalism.
(c) Define Patriarchy. How does it impact the overall entitlement of girl child in India?

3. (a) Give a sociological analysis of the problems of migrant urban poor.
(b) Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India.
(c) Write some of the important social reforms in India for the removal of untouchability.

4. (a) Discuss the status of women among the emerging urban middle class.
(b) Describe the impact of land reforms on the peasants of Indian society.
(c) What is the idea of ‘Indian village’ Explain.

SECTION B

5. Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Trends of Infant Mortality Rate among Females
(b) Domestic Violence Act, 2005
(c) Dynamics of Contemporary Dalit movements
(d) Impact of privatization on educational disparities
(e) Rural landless labourers and development induced displacement

6. (a) What are the main features of the second wave of Women’s movement in the India context?
(b) Domestic Violence Act, 2005
(c) Dynamics of Contemporary Dalit movements
(d) Impact of privatization on education disparities
(e) Rural landless labourers and development induced displacement

7. (a) What are the main features of the second wave of Women’s movement in the Indian context?
(b) Discuss the ‘Chipko movement’ as an example of eco-feminism.
(c) Discuss the impact of globalization on the workers in the Informal sector.

8. (a) What are the demographic projections for the ageing population (60+) for the next decade? What are the implications for formulating policy for them?
(b) What are the possible underlying causes of the spurt of increased violence against women in public spaces in the last decade?
(c) How do caste and class come together in creating the category of extreme poor?

9. (a) ‘Manu caste conflicts are between castes which are close to each other on the hierarchical scale.’ Give a sociological explanation for this phenomenon.
(b) ‘Tribal conflicts based on ethnic differences often camouflage a struggle for political and economic advantage.’ Substantiate with examples.
(c) Who are the elites? Discuss their roles in bringing social transformation.