Sociology 2021 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Comment

Q1

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Europe was the first and the only place where modernity emerged. Comment. 10 (b) Do you think ethnomethodology helps us in getting reliable and valid data ? Justify your answer. 10 (c) Discuss the challenges involved in collecting data through census method. 10 (d) Explain whether Durkheim's theory of Division of Labour is relevant in the present day context. 10 (e) Critically examine Max Weber's theory of Social Stratification. 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : 10×5=50 (a) यूरोप पहला और एकमात्र स्थान था जहाँ आधुनिकता का उदय हुआ । टिप्पणी कीजिए । 10 (b) क्या आप यह समझते हैं कि नुजातीय-पद्धतिशास्त्र, विश्वसनीय और वैध डेटा (आँकड़े) प्राप्त करने में हमारी मदद करता है ? अपने उत्तर का औचित्य साबित कीजिए । 10 (c) जनगणना पद्धति के माध्यम से डेटा (आँकड़े) एकत्रित करने में आने वाली चुनौतियों की चर्चा कीजिए । 10 (d) स्पष्ट कीजिए क्या दुर्खीम का श्रम विभाजन का सिद्धांत आज के संदर्भ में प्रासंगिक है । 10 (e) मैक्स वेबर के सामाजिक स्तरीकरण सिद्धांत का समालोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए । 10

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Directive word: Comment

This question asks you to comment. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

This is a 5-part short-answer question with equal 10 marks each; allocate ~30 words per part (~150 total). For (a) 'comment' on Eurocentric modernity, (b) 'justify' ethnomethodology's reliability/validity, (c) 'discuss' census challenges, (d) 'explain' Durkheim's contemporary relevance, and (e) 'critically examine' Weber's stratification. Structure each part as: brief definition → 2-3 analytical points → micro-conclusion. No single introduction/conclusion needed; treat as five mini-answers.

Key points expected

(a) Eurocentric modernity: critique via multiple modernities (Eisenstadt), Mehrgarh/Indus urbanism as alternative modernity pathways; colonialism's role in suppressing non-Western modernities
(b) Ethnomethodology: Garfinkel's indexicality and reflexivity; reliability through member validation but validity threats from researcher subjectivity; contrast with positivist criteria
(c) Census challenges: definitional fluidity (caste, tribe), underenumeration of homeless/migrants, political manipulation (Delimitation Commission issues), digital divide in Census 2021
(d) Durkheim's Division of Labour: organic solidarity in gig economy/platform work; anomie in neoliberal labour markets; relevance for understanding occupational stratification in India
(e) Weber's stratification: class-status-party tridimensional model; critique by Marxists (economic reductionism) and functionalists; applicability to Indian caste-class-party nexus

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	10	Correctly interprets each directive: (a) 'comment' as balanced critique not assertion; (b) 'justify' as reasoned argument with evidence; (c) 'discuss' as multi-faceted exploration; (d) 'explain' as causal demonstration; (e) 'critically examine' as evaluation of strengths and limitations. No directive confusion.	Generally understands directives but treats 'comment' as opinion, 'discuss' as list, or 'critically examine' as description; some slippage between parts.	Misreads directives—treats all as 'describe' or 'define'; (e) becomes uncritical praise of Weber; (b) lacks justification structure.
Theoretical framing	20%	10	Deploys precise theoretical anchors: (a) Eisenstadt/Arnason on multiple modernities; (b) Garfinkel, Cicourel on indexicality; (d) Durkheim's mechanical/organic solidarity with anomie; (e) Weber's tridimensional stratification with life chances. Concepts applied, not merely named.	Names theorists correctly but uses concepts loosely; e.g., mentions 'organic solidarity' without linking to contemporary division of labour; Weber's three dimensions listed but not operationalised.	No named theorists or major misattributions; confuses Durkheim with Weber; treats ethnomethodology as ethnography; modernity discussed without theoretical framing.
Indian / empirical examples	20%	10	Contextualises with Indian evidence: (a) Mehrgarh, Indus urban planning or Kerala model as alternative modernity; (c) Census 2011 underenumeration of urban poor, OBC category politics; (d) gig economy (Zomato/Swiggy), platform labour anomie; (e) Indian caste associations as status groups, OBC mobilisation in party politics.	Some Indian examples but generic—mentions 'caste in census' without specificity, or 'labour markets' without Indian platform economy reference; global examples substituted where Indian available.	No Indian examples; relies entirely on European/American illustrations; misses opportunity to apply (d) and (e) to Indian stratification dynamics.
Multi-paradigm analysis	20%	10	Shows paradigm awareness: (a) postcolonial critique vs. diffusionist modernisation theory; (b) interpretivist vs. positivist epistemology on validity; (d) functionalist Durkheim vs. Marxist/Marxian critiques of alienation; (e) Weberian pluralism vs. Marxist class reductionism. Tensions acknowledged, not resolved simplistically.	Acknowledges one alternative perspective per part but doesn't develop the tension; e.g., notes 'Marxists disagree' without specifying the disagreement; paradigm labels without substance.	Single-paradigm treatment throughout; no recognition that sociology contains competing frameworks; (e) describes Weber without any critical counter-position.
Conclusion & sociological imagination	20%	10	Each part closes with sociological insight: (a) modernity as plural, not unilinear; (b) reflexive methodology as strength and limit; (c) census as political technology, not neutral enumeration; (d) anomie as structural feature of contemporary capitalism; (e) multidimensional stratification essential for complex societies. Shows Mills' 'personal troubles to public issues' sensibility.	Summarises main points without analytical lift; conclusions restate rather than synthesise; misses opportunity to connect micro-macro in (b) or (d).	No conclusions in individual parts or generic one-liners ('thus we see'); fails to demonstrate sociological imagination—no connection between individual experience and social structure.

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