Sociology Study Chart

(Complete your course in 80 Days)

Chart has been prepared keeping in mind that potential candidates will be able to devote at least 3 to 4 hours daily
(with average study and retention speed).

Some Guidelines:
The best way to study is to identify its ‘Independent’ units (topics) and ‘Dependent’ units. Independent unit means,
it has no or least linkage with other paper and Dependent unit means, there is linkage between Paper I and Paper II.
These should be studied jointly (for better understanding) and not separately.

Students with no sociology background considers these units separate because of their placed location (i.e. Paper I
and Paper II)

Dependent units should be studied jointly (Paper I & Paper II together), i.e. one after another. Paper I will help you
develop insight about its theoretical, conceptual aspects and Paper II will enrich you with its practical relevance to
Indian society. (Many a times UPSC asks questions with such linkage. For example: Ques: 2008 (Paper-I) – New
trends in the type and forms of family in the contemporary India.)

Note: Unit 4 is core of Sociology and you can expect more than 50% of questions in paper I from this unit. Other
to this, your answer can never be sociological without reference of the thinkers of this unit. Purpose of
emphasizing on this ‘Unit 4’ is that you should pay special time and focus to command it (It is commandable!).

Let us divide whole sociology syllabus (Paper I & Paper II) in 8 Sections under two headings ‘Independent’ and
‘Dependent’.

(Arrangement of units are not according to syllabus serial, but to facilitate you for better understanding.)

SOCIOLOGY STUDY PLAN - CHART

Section Paper/ Units/Topics Covered Number
No. Units No. of Days
INDEPENEDENT UNITS: Paper – I
(Has no or least linkage with other paper)

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(Section: 1) PAPER-I Unit-1: Sociology – The Discipline:
Unit-1: (a) Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of
sociology.
(b) Scope of the subject and comparison with other social
sciences.
(c) Sociology and common sense.

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 PAPER- I Unit-4: Sociological Thinkers: 4
Unit-4: (a) Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production,
alienation, class struggle.
(b) Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, 3
religion and society.
(c) Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, 4
bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
(d) Talcott Parsons- Social system, pattern variables. 1
(e) Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, 3
conformity and deviance, reference groups
(f) Mead – Self and identity. 1
PAPER- I Unit-2: Sociology as Science: 3
Unit-2: (a) Science, scientific method and critique.
(b) Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
(c) Positivism and its critique.
(d) Fact value and objectivity.
(e) Non- positivist methodologies.

PAPER- I Unit-3: Research Methods and Analysis: 3

Unit-3: (a) Qualitative and quantitative methods.
(b) Techniques of data collection.
(c) Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.

INDEPENEDENT UNITS: Paper – II

(Has no or least linkage with other paper)
(Section: 2) PAPER-II Introducing Indian Society: 3
Unit-A. (i) Unit-A. (i) Perspectives on the study of Indian society:
(a) Indology (GS. Ghurye).
(b) Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
(c) Marxist sociology ( A R Desai).

PAPER-II Unit-A. (ii) Impact of colonial rule on Indian society : 3

Unit-A. (ii) (a) Social background of Indian nationalism.
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition.
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period.
(d) Social reforms

PAPER-II Unit-B. (i) Rural and Agrarian Social Structure: 2

Unit-B. (i) (a) The idea of Indian village and village studies-
(b) Agrarian social structure - evolution of land tenure system,
land reforms.

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 PAPER-II Unit-B. (iii) Tribal communities in India: 1
Unit-B. (iii) (a) Definitional problems.
(b) Geographical spread.
(c) Colonial policies and tribes.
(d) Issues of integration and autonomy.

PAPER-II Unit-C. (vi) Population Dynamics: 3

Unit-C. (vi) (a) Population size, growth, composition and distribution.
(b) Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
(c) Population policy and family planning.
(d) Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant
mortality, reproductive health.

DEPENDENT UNITS: Paper – I & II

(There is linkage between Paper I and Paper II)
STRATIFICATION, CASTE AND CLASS: (Section: 3)
(Section: 3) PAPER- I Unit-5: Stratification and Mobility: 4
Unit-5: (a) Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty
and deprivation
(b) Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist
theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
(c) Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups,
gender, ethnicity and race.
(d) Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility,
sources and causes of mobility.

PAPER-II Unit-B. (ii) Caste System: 3

Unit-B. (ii) (a) Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N
Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
(b) Features of caste system.
(c) Untouchability – forms and perspectives

PAPER-II Unit-B. (iv) Social Classes in India: 1

Unit-B. (iv) (a) Agrarian class structure.
(b) Industrial class structure.
(c) Middle classes in India.

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 WORK, ECONOMIC LIFE, AGRICULTURE,
INDUSTRY: (Section: 4)
(Section: 4) PAPER- I Unit-6: Works and Economic Life: 2
Unit-6: (a) Social organization of work in different types of society-
slave society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist society.
(b) Formal and informal organization of work
(c) Labour and society.

PAPER-II Unit-C. (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India: 3

Unit-C. (ii) (a) Programmes of rural development, Community
Development Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation
schemes.
(b) Green revolution and social change.
(c) Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
(d) Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.

PAPER-II Unit-C. (iii) Industrialization and Urbanisation in India: 3

Unit-C. (iii) (a) Evolution of modern industry in India.
(b) Growth of urban settlements in India.
(c) Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
(d) Informal sector, child labour
(e) Slums and deprivation in urban areas.

POLITICS, WESTERN AND INDIAN: (Section: 5)

(Section: 5) PAPER- I Unit-7: Politics and Society: 4
Unit-7: (a) Sociological theories of power
(b) Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political
parties.
(c) Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society,
ideology.
(d) Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action,
revolution.

PAPER-II PAPER- II 2
Unit-C. (iv) Unit-C. (iv) Politics and Society:
(a) Nation, democracy and citizenship.
(b) Political parties, pressure groups , social and political elite.
(c) Regionalism and decentralization of power.
(d) Secularization

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 RELIGION, WESTERN AND INDIAN: (Section: 6)

(Section: 6) PAPER- I Unit-8: Religion and Society: 3

Unit-8: (a) Sociological theories of religion.
(b) Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism,
sects, cults.
(c) Religion in modern society: religion and science,
secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.

PAPER-II PAPER- II 1
Unit-B. (vi) Unit-B. (vi) Religion and Society:
(a) Religious communities in India.
(b) Problems of religious minorities.

FAMILY, KINSHIP, MARRIAGE: (Section: 7)

(Section: 7) PAPER- I Unit-9: Systems of Kinship: 3
Unit-9: (a) Family, household, marriage.
(b) Types and forms of family.
(c) Lineage and descent
(d) Patriarchy and sexual division of labour
(e) Contemporary trends.

PAPER-II Unit-B. (v) Systems of Kinship in India: 2

Unit-B. (v) (a) Lineage and descent in India.
(b) Types of kinship systems.
(c) Family and marriage in India.
(d) Household dimensions of the family.
(e) Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour.

SOCIAL CHANGE: (Section: 8)

(Section: 8) PAPER- I Unit-10: Social Change in Modern Society: 3
Unit-10: (a) Sociological theories of social change.
(b) Development and dependency.
(c) Agents of social change.
(d) Education and social change.
(e) Science, technology and social change.

PAPER-II Unit-C. (i) Visions of Social Change in India: 2

Unit-C. (i) (a) Idea of development planning and mixed economy.
(b) Constitution, law and social change.
(c) Education and social change.

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 PAPER-II Unit-C. (v) Social Movements in Modern India: 3
Unit-C. (v) (a) Peasants and farmers movements.
(b) Women’s movement.
(c) Backward classes & Dalit movement.
(d) Environmental movements.
(e) Ethnicity and Identity movements.

PAPER-II Unit-C. (vii) Challenges of Social Transformation: 4

Unit-C. (vii) (a) Crisis of development: displacement, environmental
problems and sustainability.
(b) Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
(c) Violence against women.
(d) Caste conflicts.
(e) Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
(f) Illiteracy and disparities in education.

Total Number of Days: 80 Days

Note: This study plan/chart has been prepared taking care of various intricacies. We have tried to
present a ‘scientific approach’ for preparation of ‘Sociology’ in Civil Services (Mains) Examination.

Working professionals or even regular students can benefit from this study chart. Just adhere to this
plan and evaluate your time bound and systematic preparation.

In case of any confusion, feel free to contact us via phone or email.

Wish you all the Success!

God Bless You.

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