(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Optional Sociology (Paper -1 & Paper -2) Exam Paper - 2016

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains

Year: 2016

Subject: Sociology

Sociology (Paper -1)
Section-A

1. Write short answers of the following questions in about 150 words each : 10x5=50 marks

(a) "Sociology is pre-eminently study of modern societies." Discuss.
(b) What is 'value-free sociology"? Clarify.
(c) Analyze the importance of qualitative method in social research.
(d) Evaluate Marx's ideas on mode of production.
(e) "Vertical mobility brings structural change even in a closed social system." Comment.

2.(a) Elucidate the basic premises of Davis' structural-functional theory of social stratification. How far is it relevant in understanding contemporary Indian society? 20 marks
(b) Describe the functional prerequisites of social system as given by Talcott Parsons. Examine in the context of a university as a social system. 20 marks
(c) Is sociology common sense? Give reasons in support of your argument. 10 marks

3.(a) Analyze the manifest and latent functions of security of the tenure of bureaucrats' in the light of Merton's theory. 20 marks
(b) Describe the basic postulates of scientific method. How far are these followed in sociological research? 20 marks
(c) "Hypothesis is a statement of the relationship between two or more variables." Elucidate by giving example of poverty and illiteracy. 10 marks

4.(a) Examine Max Weber's method of maintaining objectivity in social research. 20 marks
(b) "Participant observation is the most effective tool for collecting facts." Comment. 20 marks
(c) Discuss the relationship between poverty and social exclusion. 10 marks

SECTION-B

5. Write short answers of the following questions in about 150 words each : 10x5=50 marks

(a) Describe the nature of social organization of work in industrial society.
(b) Discuss the importance of power elite' in democracy,
(c) Is religion playing an important role in increasing fundamentalism? Give reasons for your answer.
(d) To what extent is patriarchy a cause for the problems of women? Discuss.
(e) “Social conflict is both a cause and a consequence of social change." Explain,

6.(a) "Globalization has pushed the labour into informal organization of work." Substantiate your answer with suitable examples. 20 marks
(b) "Social change can be brought about through development." Illustrate from the contemporary situation of India.  20 marks
(c) Examine the role of protest movements in changing the status of Dalits in India. 10 marks

7.(a) "Religious pluralism is the order of present-day societies." Explain by giving suitable examples.  20 marks
(b) Discuss the contemporary trends in family as a response to social change in modern society. 20 marks
(c) To what extent revolution replaces the existing order of society? Discuss. 10 marks

8.(a) "Education is a major source of social mobility in contemporary society." Explain. 20 marks
(b) How is Durkheim's theory of religion different from Max Weber's theory of religion? 20 marks
(c) Distinguish between family and household as sociological concepts. 10 marks

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Sociology (Paper -2)

Section-A

1. Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following, in about 150 words each : 10x5=50 marks

(a) Salient features of A.R. Desai's Marxist Sociology  10 marks
(b) Significance of Village Studies in Indian Sociology 10 marks
(c) Isolationism' as a dominant feature of colonial tribal policy  10 marks
(d) Anti-Brahmanical movements during the colonial period  10 marks
(e) Patriarchy as a form of dominance 10 marks

2.(a) How has B.R. Ambedkar identified the features of caste system ? How is it different from the mainstream treatment of caste features ? 20 marks
(b) Discuss Andre Beteille's account of the relationship between caste, class and power as a change from symmetrical to asymmetrical one. 20 marks
(c) Analyse the major components of Land Reform Acts. Show their effectiveness in curbing rural inequality. 10 marks

3.(a) Bring out the significance of the difference between family and household. 20 marks
(b) Elucidate the concepts of majoritarianism' and 'minoritarianism' in accentuating communal tensions in India.  20 marks
(c) Comment on the increasing significance of caste in politics. 10 marks

4.(a) How is the tribal question related with the issues of integration and autonomy in modern India ? 20 marks
(b) Comment on the factors behind the changing status of women in urban India. 20 marks
(c) What accounts for the growth and consolidation of the middle classes in modern India ? 10 marks

SECTION B

5. Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following, in about 150 words each : 10x5=50  marks

(a) Privatization of education and increasing inequalities  10 marks
(b) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for rural development  10 marks
(c) Different forms of Dalit assertion  10 marks
(d) Empowerment through 'Right to Education  10 marks
(e) Differential sex-ratio and its implications 10 marks

6.(a) Write a note on the uneven impact of "Green Revolution' on rural society. 20 marks
(b) Discuss the emerging forms of 'inequalities' and 'acute poverty' as major challenges of social transformation in India. 20 marks
(c) Discuss the various forms of environmental movements waged in India. 10 marks

7.(a) Write a detailed note on the effects of growing slums in urban areas.
(b) Discuss the changing nature of the problems of working class in the informal sector of the economy.  20 marks
(c) What are the factors accounting for the resurgence of ethnic identity movements in India ? 10 marks

8.(a) Bring out the impact of the declining significance of the agrarian economy.  20 marks
(b) Examine the impact of industrialization and urbanization on family structure.  20 marks
(c) How is ageing becoming an emerging issue in Indian society? 10 marks

DOWNLOAD UPSC MAINS SOCIOLOGY OPTIONAL PAPERS PDF

DOWNLOAD UPSC MAINS GS 10 Year PAPERS PDF

DOWNLOAD UPSC MAINS GS SOLVED PAPERS PDF

DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS for UPSC Exams

Sociology Mains Optional Study Notes

UPSC Exam Complete Study Materials (Pre, Mains, Interview COMBO Study Kit)

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