Selecting sociology as an optional for UPSC, is a job half well done. The rest of the half
depends on finding the answer to the question of how to study sociology for UPSC.
Here are a few golden rules we have compiled together from our IAS Gurukul sociology
topper’s strategies:
While sociology upsc is vast discipline in itself, the same is not true for sociology as an
optional for UPSC. Hence, understanding the syllabus is very important to differentiate
between the two.
Having complete understanding of the syllabus will also help you in adding on to your
notes by knowing what is relevant to the examination and what is not.
Spending time in developing conceptual clarity in the initial phase of the preparation will help you in the long run. It is very important to develop clarity of thought with respect to various sociological thinkers and themes in UPSC. Only then you will be able to interlink various parts of the sociology upsc syllabus. This way you will be able to judiciously use them in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Keeping aside the highest marks in sociology optional, the general trend for fairly common marks in UPSC is 260 to 285 plus. These sociology optional recommended candidates may be less highlighted compared to highest scorers, but they are definitely in great numbers.
The sociology optional is divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2. However, sociology as an optional for UPSC should be treated as a whole while both studying it and writing answers for it. Thus you can quote the sociological thinkers of Paper 1 in paper 2 as well as use examples from paper 2 to explain the concepts of thinkers of paper 1. Thus having the ability to form inter linkages between the syllabus will be of immense help to a student of sociology optional for UPSC.
One of the sociology toppers of IAS Gurukul provided us a unique insight into her
sociology strategy. Our topper kept a list of sociological terms handy and kept adding on
to the list throughout her preparation days. This lists included terms like ‘feminization of
poverty ‘and ‘informalization of labor’.
She often used to revise the list separately and then write her answers. This way she
was able to add many sociological terms in her answers. This enriched her answers as
well as provided a sociological angle to even the most general studies looking questions
that you get in the paper. This is especially true for paper 2 where students sometimes
find it difficult to understand how to write a sociological answer and not a general
studies answer to specific questions. These specific questions often look like something
that can be asked very easily in the general studies paper.
Since sociology is a highly popular optional, there is a lot of preparatory material
available for it both online and offline. Hence, it is very easy for an aspirant to get into
the habit of buying more and more material regularly. This can prove counterproductive.
All the sociology toppers at IAS Gurukul we spoke to stressed on the importance of limiting one’s resources for the examination. These resources should then be revised
multiple times.
If sociology is not your graduation subject, it is better to attend the classes first. Also
class notes should be studied religiously. This will help the aspirant develop a
foundation for sociology optional subject.
Only then you should go for selective reading of standard books like Ritzer and
Haralambos. This is because only after studying the complete class notes will you are
able to get a basic understanding of how to study sociology for UPSC.
It is important to update your notes regularly with your current affairs preparation. Often sociological case studies or names of lesser known sociologists can be found in the newspapers. These, along with relevant current affairs examples, should be added on to your class notes. You can further make notes from selective reading of reputed magazines like Economic and Political Weekly.
Regular answer writing practice is one of the most important answers to the question of
how to study sociology for UPSC.Sociology is a writing intensive optional. Hence
answer writing practice for this optional cannot be compromised with.
Also after writing the answers, you also need to get them evaluated. Pranay Sir
personally evaluates all the answers given to him as well provides his feedback to the
students. These suggestions he provides in his feedback should be added in your next
answer.
Writing mock test series helps an aspirant in assessing their strong and weak areas in the syllabus. It also helps in developing the skill of time management which is very
important for this exam.
It also helps in strengthening your answer writing practice. It gives an aspirant the
confidence to sit in the real exam as the mock tests are conducted in a simulated
environment.
Topper’s answer sheets helps an aspirant develop an understanding of how to score
well in the sociology optional. It also helps in comparing your own answers with the
topper’s answers. It hence gives aspirant valuable insights on how to improve their own
answers.
Here are the answer sheets of few of IAS Gurukul sociology toppers
| Name of Students | Download Answer Sheets |
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Neha Bhosle Rank - 15, 2019
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Paper-I
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Paper-II
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Neha Bandhu Rank - 121, 2019
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Paper-I
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Paper-II
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Srushti Deshmukh Rank - 5, 2018
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Paper-I
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Paper-II
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Sanya Chhabra Rank - 84, 2018
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Paper-I
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Paper-II
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Gaurav Kumar Rank - 34, 2017
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Paper-I
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Paper-II
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Sudhir Kumar Rank - 42, 2017
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Paper-I
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Paper-II
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AIR 10 Sanjita Mohapatra
AIR 19 Sreshtha Anupam
AIR 21 Pratyush Pandey