UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2025 PYQ

Section a · Q1(a) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociology

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Section b · Q1(b) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociology as Science

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Section c · Q1(c) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Works and Economic Life

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Section d · Q1(d) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section e · Q1(e) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Is the social stratification theory gender-blind? Elucidate.

Stratification and Mobility: Concepts

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Section a · Q2(a) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

What is positivism? Critically analyze the major arguments against it

Sociology as Science

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Section b · Q2(b) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 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

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section c · Q2(c) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociology as Science

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Section a · Q3(a) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

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

Stratification and Mobility: Concepts

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Section b · Q3(b) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

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

Politics and Society

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Section c · Q3(c) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Research Methods and Analysis

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Section a · Q4(a) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

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

Systems of Kinship

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Section b · Q4(b) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 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

Politics and Society

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Section c · Q4(c) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociology

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Section a · Q5(a) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociology

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Section b · Q5(b) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Stratification and Mobility: Concepts

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Section c · Q5(c) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociology

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Section d · Q5(d) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociology as Science

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Section e · Q5(e) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Social Change in Modern Society

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Section a · Q6(a) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

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

Sociology

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Section b · Q6(b) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 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

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section c · Q6(c) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Politics and Society

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Section a · Q7(a) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

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

Research Methods and Analysis

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Section b · Q7(b) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

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

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section c · Q7(c) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Religion and Society

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Section a · Q8(a) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

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

Sociology

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Section b · Q8(b) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

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

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section c · Q8(c) · UPSC 2025 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

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

Sociology

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