Politics and Society PYQ | UPSC Sociology GS 1

2026

Section e · 1. · Paper Q1(e) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

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

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Section a · 2. · Paper Q4(a) · 2026 · 20 marks · Solution

Elaborate major sociological theories of power. How does power shape political process in modern societies?

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Section a · 3. · Paper Q8(a) · 2026 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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2025

Section b · 4. · Paper Q3(b) · 2025 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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Section b · 5. · Paper Q4(b) · 2025 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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Section c · 6. · Paper Q6(c) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

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

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2024

Section d · 7. · Paper Q1(d) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment.

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Section a · 8. · Paper Q6(a) · 2024 · 20 marks · Solution

Underline the role of social media in contemporary social movements and describe its challenges

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Section c · 9. · Paper Q7(c) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the dimensions of power in the construction and maintenance of social hierarchies in a society

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2023

Section b · 10. · Paper Q5(b) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

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

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2022

Section b · 11. · Paper Q6(b) · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Analyse the nature of transition from ideology to identity politics in India.

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Section b · 12. · Paper Q7(b) · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Discuss how "environmentalism" can be explained with new social movements approach.

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Section c · 13. · Paper Q7(c) · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Illustrate with examples the role of pressure groups in the formulation of social policies.

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2021

Section b · 14. · Paper Q6(b) · 2021 · 20 marks · Solution

Explain how political parties and pressure groups are dialectically related to each other in terms of achieving their goals

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2020

Section c · 15. · Paper Q2(c) · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain democracy as an order of society. What are the factors preventing people's participation in politics?

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Section c · 16. · Paper Q8(c) · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

Examine how social movements come to an end. Illustrate with examples.

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2018

Section c · 17. · Paper Q4(c) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

Discuss the challenges thrown by religious revivalism to a secular nation-state.

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Section b · 18. · Paper Q5(b) · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Are social movements primordial in means and progressive in agenda? Explain

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2017

Section b · 19. · Paper Q5(b) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the changing interface between state and civil society in post-independent India

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Section c · 20. · Paper Q6(c) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Examine the dynamics of pressure group in multi-party political system

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2016

Section b · 21. · Paper Q5(b) · 2016 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the importance of 'power elite' in democracy.

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Section c · 22. · Paper Q6(c) · 2016 · 15 marks · Solution

Examine the role of protest movements in changing the status of Dalits in India.

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Section c · 23. · Paper Q7(c) · 2016 · 15 marks · Solution

To what extent revolution replaces the existing order of society? Discuss.

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2015

Section b · 24. · Paper Q5(b) · 2015 · 10 marks · Solution

"Ideology is crucial for social transformation in a democracy." Discuss.

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Section b · 25. · Paper Q6(b) · 2015 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain the conditions under which a collective action transforms into a social movement.

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Section c · 26. · Paper Q7(c) · 2015 · 15 marks · Solution

Caste ideology appears to have strengthened democracy .Comment.

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Section a · 27. · Paper Q8(a) · 2015 · 20 marks · Solution

"Globalization involves deterritorialization ." Examine with reference to the nation-state."

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