The crucial component in the UPSC Exam is the list of optional subjects. It is very important in determining a candidate's IAS Exam rank. The list of 48 subjects supplied by UPSC includes the sociology option. The Mains exam includes nine subjective papers in addition to the optional test.
The UPSC IAS Exam's key component is its optional subjects. It is important in determining a candidate's rank in the IAS Exam. There are 48 subjects in total which is supplied by UPSC, the sociology optional is listed. The Mains test, which consists of 9 major papers (subjective), includes the optional paper.
In the major test for the civil service, sociology has proven to be both an important component of the studies paper (general) and an optional subject. Numerous candidates choose sociology as the optional subject for the UPSC Exam (Mains) each year because it is one of the simplest. If the appropriate approaches are taken, the sociology subject (optional) syllabus for the IAS exam can be thoroughly completed.
Similar to other electives, sociology offers two papers. In contrast to Paper II of the optional sociology course, which examines Indian society, the structure of society, and change, Paper I of the subject deals with the foundations of sociology.
Here, we include the key texts for the sociology optional papers I and II on the UPSC IAS Mains.
The titles of the books that IAS candidates can use to complete the sociology curriculum are listed in the table below:
| Books for Paper I |
|---|
| Sociology – Anthony Giddens |
| Sociological Theory – Ritzer George |
| Sociology – Haralambos & Holborn |
| Oxford Dictionary Of Sociology |
| Sociological Thought – M Francis Abraham and John Henry Morgan |
| Political Theory – O P Gauba |
The titles of the books that IAS candidates can use to study for the Sociology curriculum are listed in the table below:
| Books for Paper II |
|---|
| Social Change in India – M N Srinivas |
| Caste Its Twentieth Century Avatar – M N Srinivas |
| Handbook of Indian Sociology – Veena Das |
| Indian Society and Culture – Nadeem Hasnain |
| Modernization of Indian Tradition – Yogendra Singh |
| Persistence and Change in Tribal India – M.V. Rao |
| Rural Sociology – S L Doshi |
| Social Background of Indian Nationalism – A R Desai |
We suggest students to make a brief and straightforward book list. Students are urged to limit their sources rather than using dozens of sociology texts.
The lecture notes of Topper IAS classes are extensive and contain a wide range of theories, studies, and facts. Your primary source can be the handwritten notes you took during the session. In truth, lecture notes may be sufficient for many subjects. They will be adequate for 90% to 95% of your sociology content overall.
When it comes to determining the best sociology books for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) preparation, there are several factors to consider. It's essential to select books that cover the syllabus comprehensively, provide in-depth knowledge of sociological concepts, and offer a balanced perspective on various sociological theories and thinkers.
Spend at least an hour reading on the same subject from two suggested books or institute study material (at least one source) after the lecture.
Any more details you learn from these sources should be included in your class notes. This will prevent you from having to read numerous sources or books while revising and ensuring that all the pertinent material is in one place (your handwritten notes).
Please be aware that you are not required to read the Sociology Optional Books and Material in order.
The goal is to quickly scan a written source for any important, fresh material on the subject (which was addressed in the lecture).
One of the most common mistake that aspirants commit is that not moving on from a particular topic even if its covered in lectures and books; re-reading the topics time and again might cause confusion, hence it is advised to just get a grasp of a particular topic and then move on.
| Further Reading |
|---|
| Sociology Optional Notes |
| Sociology Optional Syllabus |
| Sociology Question Paper UPSC |
| Sociology Optional Strategy |
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Ritesh sir is an excellent teacher when you look from the quality of content he provides to his student. My quality of answers really improved because I followed his lectures and discussions religiously. Ritesh sir gave me new perspective and insight to evaluate the things from sociological perspectives. Also sir provided me personal mentoring and guided me really well. I was in constant touch with him throughout my preparation. I would really thank Ritesh sir for mentoring me personally.
I want to thank Ritesh sir and Toppers IAS for helping with my sociology optional preparation. I am a civil engineer and a management post-graduate, no any background in sociology. I joined sociology foundation class of Ritesh sir and sir made sure that my journey of studying a new subject altogether was extremely smooth. Throughout my upsc journey Ritesh sir was always there to teach and guide me. He is very humble, responsive and directly approachable.
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Ritesh sir is an amazing teacher having vast knowledge and experience in the field of teaching sociology optional. He makes sociology very interesting, easy to understand and relate it with contemporary development. Also because of his personal mentoring I was able to clear this exam in my very first attempt. Thank you sir.
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