Sociology 2025 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q1

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) What is common sense? How are common knowledge and sociology related to each other? Explain. (10 marks) (b) What is the relationship (similarities and differences) between sociology and history in terms of their area of study and methodology? Discuss. (10 marks) (c) What is a variable in social research? What are their different types? Elaborate. (10 marks) (d) Can Merton's reference group theory be relevant in understanding 'identity making' in digital world? Explain. (10 marks) (e) Is the social stratification theory gender-blind? Elucidate. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों में से प्रत्येक का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) सामान्य बुद्धि क्या है? सामान्य ज्ञान और समाजशास्त्र एक-दूसरे से कैसे संबंधित हैं? व्याख्या कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) अध्ययन-क्षेत्र और पद्धति के संदर्भ में समाजशास्त्र और इतिहास के मध्य क्या संबंध (समानताएं एवं विभिन्नताएं) है? विवेचना कीजिए। (10 अंक) (c) सामाजिक अनुसंधान में चर क्या है? इनके विभिन्न प्रकार क्या हैं? विस्तार से समझाइए। (10 अंक) (d) क्या डिजिटल विश्व में 'पहचान निर्माण' को समझने में मर्टन का संदर्भ समूह सिद्धांत प्रासंगिक हो सकता है? व्याख्या कीजिए। (10 अंक) (e) क्या सामाजिक स्तरीकरण का सिद्धांत लैंगिक रूप से अंधा है? स्पष्ट कीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. 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

The directive 'explain' demands causal and relational clarity across all five parts. Allocate ~30 words per part (150 total), spending roughly equal time on each since all carry 10 marks. Structure: for (a) contrast common sense's particularity with sociology's systematicity; (b) use the 'sociology of the past' framing; (c) define variable with examples from Indian surveys; (d) apply Merton's relative deprivation to digital identity; (e) cite feminist critiques of Marx/Dahrendorf. Conclude each part with a one-line synthesis.

Key points expected

  • (a) Common sense as pre-reflexive, particular vs. sociology as systematic, evidence-based; C. Wright Mills' distinction between personal troubles and public issues
  • (b) Similarity: both study social phenomena; Difference: history's idiographic (unique events) vs. sociology's nomothetic (general laws); E.H. Carr's 'history is sociology of the past'
  • (c) Variable as measurable attribute with varying values; Types: independent/dependent, discrete/continuous, nominal/ordinal/interval/ratio; Example: caste as nominal, income as ratio in NSS surveys
  • (d) Merton's reference groups (normative/comparative) and relative deprivation; Digital world: aspirational identities formed through upward comparison on social media; influencers as reference groups
  • (e) Classical stratification theory (Marx, Weber, Davis-Moore) as gender-blind; Feminist critique: Ann Oakley on gendered class, Patricia Hill Collins on intersectionality; Indian context: caste-class-gender nexus in agrarian studies

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Demand-directive understanding20%10For (a) explains why common sense fails as sociology; for (b) clarifies how history-sociology distinction collapses in practice; for (c) shows why variable typology matters for measurement validity; for (d) establishes causal mechanism (reference group → identity aspiration); for (e) demonstrates 'gender-blind' as erasure not absence.Defines terms correctly but treats each part as separate information chunks without showing the explanatory logic demanded by 'explain'.Misreads 'explain' as 'define' or 'list'; provides descriptions without relational or causal analysis across any part.
Theoretical framing20%10Deploys C. Wright Mills (a), E.H. Carr/Radcliffe-Brown (b), Merton's reference group theory with relative deprivation (d), and feminist stratification theorists (e); connects (c) to operationalization debates in Indian sociology.Names theorists correctly but uses them as labels rather than analytical tools; misses Carr for (b) or Oakley/Collins for (e).No named theorists; or confuses Merton with Marx, treats variable types as arbitrary classification.
Indian / empirical examples20%10For (a) cites village studies vs. common sense; (b) uses Subaltern Studies or D.D. Kosambi; (c) references NSSO/ICAR variables; (d) mentions Indian influencer culture or caste-based WhatsApp groups; (e) cites Leela Dube or agrarian studies from Bihar/Punjab.Generic Indian references (caste system, rural India) without specific empirical grounding or survey names.No Indian examples; or uses Western cases exclusively (American class system, European social media).
Multi-paradigm analysis20%10For (a) acknowledges ethnomethodology's rehabilitation of common sense; (b) notes postmodern history-sociology convergence; (d) considers digital reference groups as enabling identity play, not just constraint; (e) presents Davis-Moore functionalist defense before feminist critique.One-sided treatment of most parts; mentions alternative view in (e) only as afterthought.No recognition of theoretical contestation; treats all positions as settled facts.
Conclusion & sociological imagination20%10Each part ends with micro-macro link: personal belief/social structure (a), past present/future (b), measurement/social reality (c), individual aspiration/digital capitalism (d), private patriarchy/public stratification (e); shows sociology's distinctive lens.Conclusions summarize without analytical integration; misses the Millsian 'sociological imagination' gesture.No conclusions for individual parts; or single generic conclusion ignoring all five specific demands.

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