If you are a UPSC aspirant, are you aware of the optional subject you have to take up if you qualify for the UPSC mains? Of course, you are, as various coaching centers similarly teach you. One of the optional subjects that most candidates opt for is Sociology. Minor changes occurred in the UPSC syllabus in 2011. From 2011 onward, candidates have to choose only one optional subject as opposed to two. However, planning to choose only one optional subject is a tough job. When choosing an optional subject, make sure you have a basic knowledge about it.
Since most candidates prefer choosing sociology, you will come across various sociology online classes for IAS. In this blog, you will get to know the strategies you need to study sociology for UPSC.
Sociology for UPSC Mains
Although sociology is not a complicated subject, it needs to be considered when a candidate is studying it. The first and foremost tip for all UPSC candidates who have taken up sociology is looking around you and dealing logically with the contemporary society surrounding you. The more you keep yourself updated about the surroundings, the better will you be able to understand the subject and write better answers.
Generally, the first paper of sociology is called the Thinker’s paper. In this paper, the UPSC aspirant needs to study about six eminent thinkers and their philosophies. The six thinkers are as follows:
- Karl Marx
- Max Weber
- Emile Durkheim
- Talcott Parson
- R.K. Merton
- Mead
All these six sociological thinkers comprise the first paper of sociology. Get stuck or feel underconfident to study on your own or not get the required material. You can check out various sociology video lectures for UPSC available on the internet. Besides, joining a reliable coaching class can also help you immensely.
The section that deals with the thinkers are just 10% of the entire syllabus. However, it would help if you put a lot of emphasis on the thinkers. Hence, your attention on the thinkers and their philosophies should be 70%, and the remaining 30% importance should be put for other purposes.
For essay-type questions, the topics that need much attention are as follows:
- Political system
- Marriage and family
- Social movements, change, and developments
- Social stratification and mobility
- Contributions to sociology
While studying for the second paper of sociology, candidates need to understand the interrelation of different sociological concepts. Every topic here needs to be analyzed with reasonable justifications.
The UPSC aspirants should prepare short notes on education, political system, marriage and family, class structure, social movements and problems, and population dynamics. Further, essay-type answers need to be prepared on class structure, caste system, women and society, agrarian social structure, tribal societies, social movements, social changes, industry and society, and political processes.
Besides, the candidates need to focus more on three important topics from which questions are sure. They are as follows:
- Caste system
- Agrarian social structure
- Tribal societies
When writing answers, both for preparing short notes and long questions, avoid ornamental language as much as you can. The questions should be answered directly without beating around the bush. In case of long questions, the answers have to be supported with proper justification. You can also provide quotations on your answers to make them appear more authentic. The better answers you write, the better will the examiner understand your depth on the subject.
Conclusion
Therefore, studying for the UPSC mains is undoubtedly not an easy job. It requires hard work, dedication, intelligence, and above all, following the right strategy to overcome all odds and come out with flying colors.
