Previous Papers, Sociology II
A. INTRODUCING INDIAN SOCIETY
i. Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society
(a) Indology (GS Ghurye)
(b) Structural functionalism (MN Srinivas)
(c) Marxist sociology (AR Desai)
2013
ii. Impact of Colonial Rule on Indian Society
(a) Social background of Indian nationalism
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period
(d) Social reforms
2013
B. SOCIAL STRUCTURE
i. Rural and Agrarian Social Structure
(a) The idea of Indian village and village studies
(b) Agrarian social structure – evolution of land tenure system, land reforms
2013
ii. Caste System
(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
2013
iii. Tribal Communities in India
(a) Definitional problems
(b) Geographical spread
(c) Colonial policies and tribes
(d) Issues of integration and autonomy
2013
iv. Social Classes in India
(a) Agrarian class structure
(b) Industrial class structure
(c) Middle classes in India
2013
v. Systems of Kinship in India
(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
2013
vi. Religion and Society
(a) Religious communities in India
(b) Problems of religious minorities
2013
C. SOCIAL CHANGE IN INDIA
i. Visions of Social Change in India
(a) Idea of development planning and mixed economy
(b) Constitution, law and social change
(c) Education and social change
2013
ii. Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India
(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
2013
iii. Industrialization and Urbanization in India
(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
2013
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
2013
v. Social Movements in Modern India
(a) Peasants and farmers movements
(b) Women’s movement
(c) Backward classes & Dalit movement
(d) Environmental movements
(e) Ethnicity and Identity movements
2013
vi. Population Dynamics
(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
2013
vii. Challenges of Social Transformation
(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
2013
i. Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society
(a) Indology (GS Ghurye)
(b) Structural functionalism (MN Srinivas)
(c) Marxist sociology (AR Desai)
2013
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on MN Srinivas’ concept of Westernization.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on GS Ghurye’s Indological approach to understand society in India.
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- Write a short note with sociological perspective on salient features of AR Desai's Marxist sociology.
- Write a critique of the structural and functional perspective used by MN Srinivas in the understanding of Indian society.
- Write a note on GS Ghurye’s Indological perspective of understanding Indian society.
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ii. Impact of Colonial Rule on Indian Society
(a) Social background of Indian nationalism
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period
(d) Social reforms
2013
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- Write a short note with sociological perspective on Gandhi’s efforts on communal harmony.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on modernization of Indian tradition.
- Discuss the social background of Indian nationalism.
- Discuss Marxist approach to the analysis of Indian nationalism.
- Discuss BR Ambedkar as a wise democrat.
- Analyze Gandhi as a moralist, ascetic and man of action through his Hind Swaraj.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on anti-Brahminical movements during the colonial period.
- Discuss Yogendra Singh’s thesis on Modernization of Indian Tradition and evaluate its applicability in the present day context.
- The main objective of socio- religious movement during the colonial rule in India were reforming and synthesizing Hinduism. Write on any two such important movements.
- Examine sociological dynamics of Champaran peasant movement in colonial India.
- Do you think that the Indian saints have brought about social reform and awareness in Indian society? Explain.
B. SOCIAL STRUCTURE
i. Rural and Agrarian Social Structure
(a) The idea of Indian village and village studies
(b) Agrarian social structure – evolution of land tenure system, land reforms
2013
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- Describe the impact of land reforms on the peasants in Indian society.
- What is the idea of ‘Indian village’? Explain.
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- Analyze the major components of Land Reform Acts. Show their effectiveness in curbing rural inequality.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on significance of village studies in Indian sociology.
- Give a critical analysis of Andre Beteille’s study of Tanjore village.
- Examine the changing initiatives of the land tenure system in India.
- Critically examine Dube's contributions to the study of Indian villages.
ii. Caste System
(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
2013
- What are the main features of Dr BR Ambedkar’s views on annihilation of caste?
- Critically evaluate Louis Dumont's Homo Hierarchicus.
- What are the features of MN Srinivas' concept of dominant caste? How effective is it in understanding today's reality?
- Examine the influence of industrialization on caste.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on features of the caste system.
- Write some of the important social reforms in India for the removal of untouchability.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on Louis Dumont's perspective on Indian caste system.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on how far Gandhi was trusted by the ‘untouchables’?
- Is caste system changing, weakening or disintegrating in India?
- How far Srinivas’ Sanskritization is a modernizing force or traditionalizing force in understanding changes in the caste system?
- How has BR Ambedkar identified the features of caste system? How is it different from the mainstream treatment of caste features?
- Discuss Andre Beteille's account of the relationship between caste, class and power as a change from symmetrical to asymmetrical one.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on different forms of Dalit assertion.
- Which is more significant, the principal of hierarchy or the principal of difference; in inter-caste relations in the present day?
- How have the struggles against untouchability changed their forms and perspective from Gandhian to Ambedkarite positions?
- What are the changes in the cultural and structural aspects of the caste system since independence?
- Explain the concepts of ‘dominant caste’ and ‘vote bank’ giving examples from specific regions.
- Compare the pressing problems of a Dalit poor family living in an urban slum with a similar type of family living in a rural setting.
- What do you understand by discrete castes and muddled hierarchies? Substantiate your answer with suitable illustrations.
- Has caste system hindered democracy and adult franchise in India? Discuss.
- Elaborate various forms of Dalit assertion in contemporary India.
- Write a note on Ghurye's conception of caste in India.
- What is caste politics? Substantiate your answers with examples of how identities are defined by caste dynamics.
iii. Tribal Communities in India
(a) Definitional problems
(b) Geographical spread
(c) Colonial policies and tribes
(d) Issues of integration and autonomy
2013
- What are the features that distinguish tribes from the rest of the population?
- Write a note on ethnicity and integration in the context of tribes.
- How does the new Forest Act affect tribals?
- Analyze the different views on integration and autonomy of tribes in India.
- ‘Tribal conflicts based on ethnic differences often camouflage a struggle for political and economic advantage.’ Substantiate with examples.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on Verrier Elwin's views on freedom for the tribals.
- Write a short note with a sociological perspective on main objectives of the Tribal Sub-Plan.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on isolationism as a dominant feature of colonial tribal policy.
- How is the tribal question related with the issues of integration and autonomy in modern India?
- What is the nature of religious change among tribal communities? Illustrate with two examples from colonial and post independence times.
- Why have we started using another category of tribes called the Particularly Vulnerable Groups (PVTGs) why are they so called?
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- Comment on the growing assertion of the tribal community for autonomy in India.
- What is ethno-nationalism? Examine the critical factors for tribal discontent in India.
iv. Social Classes in India
(a) Agrarian class structure
(b) Industrial class structure
(c) Middle classes in India
2013
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on Andre Beteille's definition of class.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on classes in agrarian society in India.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on Other Backward Classes.
- Discuss the salient features of Indian middle class.
- Discuss the status of women among the emerging urban middle class.
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- Comment on the factors behind the changing status of women in urban India.
- What accounts for the growth and consolidation of the middle classes in modern India?
- Give an account of the problems relating to the “creamy layer”.
- Write a note on the changing roles of middle-class women in India.
- How has the New Economic Policy (1991) affected the lifestyle and life changed in new middle class in India.
- Is industrial development in India a bane or a boon to agrarian class structure? Substantiate your answer with suitable examples.
- Give an account of Ranjit Guha's approach in studying 'subaltern class'.
v. Systems of Kinship in India
(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
2013
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- Define patriarchy. How does it impact the overall entitlement of a girl child in India?
- Give some of the important studies relating to the structural changes in the Indian family system.
- Broadly compare the kinship system of North and South India.
- What is patriarchy? How does it affect the child socialization pattern in India?
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on patriarchy as a form of dominance.
- Bring out the significance of the difference between family and household.
- Examine the impact of industrialization and urbanization on family structure.
- Clarify the distinction between household and family and evaluate whether joint families have completely disintegrated.
- Compare the North Indian kinship system with the South Indian kinship system.
- Illustrate the importance of ‘Kanyadan’ and ‘Kulabadhu’ in changing institution of marriage and family.
- Western patriarchy which surrenders feminine principles is the development project in India. Do you agree with this view? Why?
- Define patriarchy. Does it have bearings on women's entitlement in Indian family system? Explain.
- What do you understand by LGBTQ? Comment on the issues concerning their marriage rights.
vi. Religion and Society
(a) Religious communities in India
(b) Problems of religious minorities
2013
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- Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India.
- What are the basic tenets of Hindu religion? Is Hinduism based on monotheism or polytheism?
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- What are the distinct features of Islam as practiced in India, and how have they changed over time?
- Discuss the growth of religious sects in India.
- Write a critical narrative on the concerns of religious minorities in India.
- Assess the impact of ban on ‘triple talaq’ on marriage and divorce among the Muslim community in India.
- Elaborate Srinivas' views on religion and society among the Coorgs.
- What do you understand by the 'minority' question? Examine the violence and discrimination against minorities in India.
C. SOCIAL CHANGE IN INDIA
i. Visions of Social Change in India
(a) Idea of development planning and mixed economy
(b) Constitution, law and social change
(c) Education and social change
2013
- Write a note on the following with a sociological perspective: Five Year Plans.
- Discuss the salient features of Right to Education.
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- Human development approach affirms that education and health-care growth are more important than economic growth. Discuss this issue in the light of post-liberalized Indian society.
- Write a short note with a sociological perspective on important components of National Education Policy in India.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on empowerment through Right to Education.
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- Examine the importance of development planning in India's mixed economy and analyze its problems and prospects.
ii. Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India
(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
2013
- Write a note on the following with a sociological perspective: MNREG Scheme.
- Write a note on the following with a sociological perspective: Green Revolution.
- None
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- Write a short note with sociological perspective on MNREG Scheme for rural development.
- Write a note on the uneven impact of Green Revolution on rural society.
- Bring out the impact of the declining significance of the agrarian economy.
- Write a short note on changing means of production and increased rural poverty.
- Indebtedness is one of the serious issue leading to farmers suicides Discuss reasons and suggest solutions.
- Analyze AR Desai’s views on India’s path of development.
- Has Green Revolution led to the formation of new power elite in rural India? Elaborate your answer.
- Discuss the challenges in implementing the rural development programmes in India.
- Highlight the main features of the interlinking of rivers project in India. What could be its probable advantages to Indian agriculture?
iii. Industrialization and Urbanization in India
(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
2013
- Write an analytical note on slums in cities.
- Distinguish between formal and informal sectors in India.
- Write a note with a sociological perspective on child labour.
- Discuss the problems of working women in India.
- Give a sociological analysis of the problems of migrant urban poor.
- Discuss the impact of globalization on the workers in the informal sector.
- Write a short note with a sociological perspective on issues relating to the informal labour market in urban India.
- Write a detailed note on the effects of growing slums in urban areas.
- Discuss the changing nature of the problems of working class in the informal sector of the economy.
- Do you agree that the issue of child labour raises questions about and beyond the informal sector? Give reasons.
- Examine the impact of heritage tourism on urban socio-spatial patterns in India.
- How do you relate the growth of development of metropoles and its impact on the mental and social life of people in India.
- Do you think that demonetization has accelerated economic growth in India? How do you understand the informalization of labour, underemployment and gender discrimination in this context?
- Write a note on Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development (IHSD) programme provided for the urban poor.
- Elaborate on urbanism as as way of life.
- Elucidate the concerns of growing urban displacement dynamics in India.
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
2013
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- Who are the elites? Discuss their roles in bringing social transformation.
- Write a brief note on the freedom of press.
- Comment on the increasing significance of caste in politics.
- To what extent does nation building depends on strengthening of pluralities in Indian society?
- Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. Discuss.
- Elaborate the concept of constitutional morality as given by BR Ambedkar.
- Comment on the changing democratic profile of India.
v. Social Movements in Modern India
(a) Peasants and farmers movements
(b) Women’s movement
(c) Backward classes & Dalit movement
(d) Environmental movements
(e) Ethnicity and Identity movements
2013
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on Satya Shodhak Movement of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
- Bring out the main features of farmers' movements in modern India.
- Discuss the sociological aspects of movements for separate States.
- What is the Dalit movement? Examine the issues highlighted by it.
- Discuss the ‘Chipko Movement’ as an example of eco-feminism.
- What are the main features of the second wave of women’s movement in the Indian context?
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on dynamics of contemporary Dalit movements.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on Jyotirao Phule as an agrarian radical.
- Discuss the impact of post-1970 feminist movement on Indian middle class.
- What are the major concerns of ethnic identity and religious identity in India?
- Discuss the main features of farmers' movements in independent India.
- To what extent the Muslim Personal Law Board is in agreement with Islamic feminist agenda?
- Discuss the various forms of environmental movements waged in India.
- What are the factors accounting for the resurgence of ethnic identity movements in India?
- Explain the issue relating to ethnicity and sub-ethnicity.
- Explain the dynamics of neo-farmers movement in contemporary India.
- Elaborate the ‘Me Too’ Movement and its impact in India.
- Discuss the implications of the Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan. Do you think that civil society has a role to play here? Substantiate your answer with examples.
- Do you agree that social movements are caused by opportunity structures that are generated by media? Why?
- Despite gains from the women’s gender movement and stated policy of women empowerment, gender equality is far from achieved. Identify two major challenges the prevent this goal from being reached.
vi. Population Dynamics
(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
2013
- Write a note on the following with a sociological perspective: Sex Ratio.
- What are the main causes of female mortality in India?
- What are the demographic projections for the ageing population (60+) for the next decade? What are the implications for formulating policy for them?
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on trends of infant mortality rates among females.
- Discuss the problems of elderly in India. What are the different perspectives to solve their problems?
- Why is it necessary to implement the PCPNDT Act in India?
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on differential sex-ratio and its implications.
- How is ageing becoming an emerging issue in Indian society?
- What are the emerging concerns on women’s reproductive health?
- What are the causes and solutions for the low female sex-ratio in the DEMARU States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, and Gujarat?
- What are the issues relating to male migration and its impact on birthrate? Does it necessarily result in skewed sex ratio?
- Why has 'active ageing' become a glocal goal? Do you agree that the role of elderly care-giving is disproportionately gendered in developing countries? Why?
vii. Challenges of Social Transformation
(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
2013
- Explain the inter-linkages between poverty, deprivation and inequality.
- Analyze the role of communalism in undermining democracy in India.
- How do caste and class come together in creating the category of extreme poor?
- What are the possible underlying causes of the spurt of increased violence against women in public spaces in the last decade?
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on the impact of privatization on educational disparities.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on rural landless labourers and development induced displacement.
- ‘Many caste conflicts are between castes which are close to each other on the hierarchical scale.’ Give a sociological explanation for this phenomenon.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on feminization of poverty.
- Write a short note with a sociological perspective on effect of displacement through development on the rural landless and marginal farmers.
- Write a short note with a sociological perspective on how serious is the problem of trafficking against women and children in India?
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on the Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
- Elucidate the concepts of ‘majoritarianism' and 'minoritarianism' in accentuating communal tensions in India.
- Write a short note with sociological perspective on privatization of education and increasing inequalities.
- Discuss the emerging forms of 'inequalities' and 'acute poverty' as major challenges of social transformation in India.
- What are the reason for the escalation of violence against women in the public domain?
- Write a note on education and equality in India.
- Discuss some of the striking issues of development induced imbalances that need urgent attention.
- What is cultural revivalism? Give some examples from performing arts , language dissemination and arts & crafts in recent times.
- What, according to you are the two fundamental axes of social discrimination in Indian society? Are they changing?
- How do the recommendations of Swaminathan Commissions (2004-2006) ensure food and nutrition security for the Indian masses?
- Discuss development induced displacement in the context of tribal uprising in India. Substantiate your answer with any one detailed illustration from India.
- Discuss the issues relating to the entitlement of transgenders in Indian society.
- Construct a sociological narrative on the increasing trend of child abuse in India.
- Assess the role of the State in promoting education of the girl child.
- With increase in education and economic development is Indian society becoming more secular?
- Has reduction of green cover affected ecological degradation, leading to global warming? Elaborate your answer with illustration.
- What is the POSH Act? 'Identification of tormentor by women at the workplace does not come very easily even today.' Examine the statements with substantive examples from India.
- What is social security? Examine recent security measures adopted by Government of India.
- Comment on the critical issues of commercialization of higher education in India.