Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx PYQ | UPSC Sociology GS 1

2026

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

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

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Section a · 2. · Paper Q2(a) · 2026 · 20 marks · Solution

Describe the impact of capitalist mode of production on society

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Section b · 3. · Paper Q2(b) · 2026 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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Section c · 4. · Paper Q3(c) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

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

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Section d · 5. · Paper Q5(d) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

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

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Section c · 6. · Paper Q7(c) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

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

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2025

Section d · 7. · Paper Q1(d) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

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

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Section b · 8. · Paper Q2(b) · 2025 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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Section b · 9. · Paper Q6(b) · 2025 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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Section b · 10. · Paper Q7(b) · 2025 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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Section b · 11. · Paper Q8(b) · 2025 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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2024

Section e · 12. · Paper Q1(e) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the 'basic and irreducible' functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons? Explain.

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Section b · 13. · Paper Q3(b) · 2024 · 20 marks · Solution

Describe the main idea of Max Weber's book, *The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism* as a critique of Marxism

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Section c · 14. · Paper Q3(c) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically explain the salient features of 'alienation' as propounded by Karl Marx

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Section b · 15. · Paper Q4(b) · 2024 · 20 marks · Solution

Define the concept of 'gig' economy and discuss its impact on the labour market and workers' social security net

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Section a · 16. · Paper Q5(a) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Describe various characteristics of a 'social fact'. How is the rate of suicide a social fact according to Durkheim?

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Section d · 17. · Paper Q5(d) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

How is 'power' different from 'authority'? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber.

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2023

Section b · 18. · Paper Q2(b) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

What is historical materialism? Examine its relevance in understanding contemporary societies

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Section c · 19. · Paper Q3(c) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Is Weber's idea of bureaucracy a product of the historical experiences of Europe? Comment

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Section c · 20. · Paper Q5(c) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

What functions does religion perform in a pluralistic society?

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Section b · 21. · Paper Q6(b) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

Explain Max Weber's theory of social stratification. How does Weber's idea of class differ from that of Marx?

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2022

Section b · 22. · Paper Q3(b) · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Critically examine how Durkheim and Merton explicate Anomie.

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Section a · 23. · Paper Q4(a) · 2022 · 20 marks · Solution

What characterizes degradation of work in capitalist society according to Marx ?

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Section b · 24. · Paper Q4(b) · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Social stratification is claimed to contribute to maintenance of social order and stability in society. Critically assess.

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Section a · 25. · Paper Q5(a) · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically examine the relevance of Durkheim's views on religion in contemporary society.

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Section a · 26. · Paper Q6(a) · 2022 · 20 marks · Solution

According to Mead the idea of self develops when the individual becomes self-conscious.Explain.

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Section a · 27. · Paper Q7(a) · 2022 · 20 marks · Solution

Critically analyse Parsons views on society as a social system.

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2021

Section d · 28. · Paper Q1(d) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain whether Durkheim's theory of Division of Labour is relevant in the present day context

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Section b · 29. · Paper Q3(b) · 2021 · 20 marks · Solution

Critically examine the dialectics involved in each mode of production as propounded by Karl Marx

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Section c · 30. · Paper Q4(c) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

With suitable examples, explain how conformity and deviance coexist in a society as propounded by R.K. Merton

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Section e · 31. · Paper Q5(e) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Do you think Talcott Parsons gave an adequate theory of social change? Justify your answer

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Section c · 32. · Paper Q8(c) · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

Highlight the roles and functions of civil society in a democratic system.

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2020

Section d · 33. · Paper Q1(d) · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

'Ideal Types of Max Weber are mental constructs, they do not correspond to the reality. Give your views.

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Section e · 34. · Paper Q1(e) · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

Analyse the relevance of 'Pattern variables' in the study of social change.

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Section a · 35. · Paper Q2(a) · 2020 · 20 marks · Solution

What are the reactions of R.K. Merton to the functionalism of social anthropologists ? Bring out the limitations of latent functions.

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Section a · 36. · Paper Q3(a) · 2020 · 20 marks · Solution

Capitalism has brought increasing informalisation of work in society.Substantiate your answer.

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Section c · 37. · Paper Q3(c) · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

Discuss the consequences of Across Region marriage on kinship system in modern Indian society.

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Section a · 38. · Paper Q8(a) · 2020 · 20 marks · Solution

How does Marx view social conflict as an essential element in social change?

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Section b · 39. · Paper Q8(b) · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

What is the impact of gender division of labour on the development of society?

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2019

Section d · 40. · Paper Q1(d) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Present a sociological review on the 'new middle class'

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Section c · 41. · Paper Q3(c) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

What, according to Merton, is the difference between 'unanticipated consequences' and 'latent functions' ? Give examples to elaborate

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Section b · 42. · Paper Q4(b) · 2019 · 20 marks · Solution

Compare and Contrast the contributions of Marx and Weber on social stratification in capitalist society

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Section e · 43. · Paper Q5(e) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

How well do you think Tonnies, Durkheim, Weber and Marx predicted the character of Modern society ? Critique

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2018

Section b · 44. · Paper Q1(b) · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Distinguish between fact and value in Weber's Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

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Section b · 45. · Paper Q2(b) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain Durkheim's basic arguments on suicide. Can you analyse high suicide rates of contemporary Indian society with Durkheim's theory?

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Section c · 46. · Paper Q2(c) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

Evaluate if social stratification is functional for society.

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Section c · 47. · Paper Q3(c) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

What is the difference between anomie in Merton and Durkheim? Explain.

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Section b · 48. · Paper Q4(b) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

Schooling does not ensure upward mobility of all members of this society. Discuss with reference in class societies.

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Section a · 49. · Paper Q7(a) · 2018 · 20 marks · Solution

How can Parsons' AGIL framework be used to analyse key problems is a society? Discuss.

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Section b · 50. · Paper Q7(b) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

What is labour commitment? Discuss it with reference to studies of manufacturing industry.

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Section a · 51. · Paper Q8(a) · 2018 · 20 marks · Solution

"The sociological imagination enables us to grasp SOCIOLOGY and biography and the relationship between the two in society." - C.W.Mills . Explain.

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Section c · 52. · Paper Q8(c) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

In what way did Durkheim perceive religion as functional to society?

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2017

Section d · 53. · Paper Q1(d) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically analyse Talcott Parsons conception of pattern variable'

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Section a · 54. · Paper Q3(a) · 2017 · 20 marks · Solution

Discuss distinct sociological method adopted by Emile Durkheim in his study of 'suicide'

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Section b · 55. · Paper Q3(b) · 2017 · 20 marks · Solution

Analyse Marxian conception of historical materialism as a critique of Hegelian dialectics

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Section a · 56. · Paper Q5(a) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

What do you understand by informalisation of labour '? Write your answer with special reference to India

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Section c · 57. · Paper Q5(c) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Give an assessment of Durkheimian notion of 'sacred' and 'profane' in sociology of religion

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Section b · 58. · Paper Q6(b) · 2017 · 20 marks · Solution

What is new in 'new social movement '? Elaborate your answer with special reference to India

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Section b · 59. · Paper Q7(b) · 2017 · 20 marks · Solution

Discuss the regional variations of kinship system in Indian society

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2016

Section d · 60. · Paper Q1(d) · 2016 · 10 marks · Solution

Evaluate Marx's ideas on mode of production

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Section b · 61. · Paper Q2(b) · 2016 · 15 marks · Solution

Describe the functional prerequisites of social system as given by Talcott Parsons. Examined in the context of a university as a social system.

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Section a · 62. · Paper Q3(a) · 2016 · 20 marks · Solution

Analyze the manifest and latent functions of 'security of the tenure of bureaucrats' in the light of Merton's theory.

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2015

Section b · 63. · Paper Q1(b) · 2015 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the relevance of historical method in the study of society.

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Section a · 64. · Paper Q2(a) · 2015 · 20 marks · Solution

Discuss the role of Calvinist ethic in the development of Capitalism.

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Section c · 65. · Paper Q2(c) · 2015 · 15 marks · Solution

"Self and society are twin-born " Examine the statement of Mead.

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Section c · 66. · Paper Q4(c) · 2015 · 15 marks · Solution

"Anomie is rooted in social structure." Explain with reference to R.K. Merton's contribution.

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Section d · 67. · Paper Q5(d) · 2015 · 10 marks · Solution

Is male authority absent in matrilineal society? Discuss.

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