Sociology optional is a safer optional and popular optional subject in civil services examination since past many years. Many students have cleared UPSC civil services examination with sociology optional. It can fetch 315 to 350 marks in UPSC mains examination. It is helpful even at the time of UPSC civil services interview as well as post selection field work.

Sociology as optional

Now, let’s try and apply above framework in the case of Sociology –

1. Scoring potential – Sociology is one of the consistent scoring optional. Every year 10+ students in UPSC’s top 100 ranks are from Sociology optional. Top score in it crosses 300! Shrusti Deshmukh, Amrutesh Aurangabadkar, Neha Bhosale, etc. are a few examples of UPSC toppers with Sociology optional
2. Interest in subject – This is a subjective criterion, but still if you go through the Sociology syllabus, you will notice that it studies the social values, norms and institutions which are part of our day-to-day lives. So, many students find this optional to be interesting.
3. Availability of resources – Multiple books (standard reference books as well as UPSC-specific books) are available. Also, in market, you can easily find multiple notes of Sociology. Numerous coaching institutes are providing coaching, test series and mentorship of Sociology – No issues in getting good guidance. Some other optionals like Management, commerce and accountancy etc. lack the availability of options in test series/mentorship etc.
4. Time required – Sociology has a comparatively less syllabus. Moreover, it is a study of the society we live in – so if you have good observation skills, you might be aware of some concepts in Sociology even before reading. These factors make Sociology a subject which can be covered in less time. Ideally, sociology can be covered along with extensive answer writing practice in 3 months.
5. Overlap with GS –

General Studies – Paper I

• Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
• Notable highlights of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
• Impacts of globalization on Indian culture
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

General Studies – Paper II

• Pressure groups and formal/informal associations, their role in the Polity.
• Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• Civil services in a democracy.

General Studies – Paper III

• Comprehensive development and issues emerging from it.
• Land reforms in India.
• Changes in industrial policy, impacts of liberalization on the economy, and their outcome on industrial growth.
• Development and spread of extremism linkage – Naxalism.

General Studies – Paper IV

• Human Values- role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values; reformers and administrators, lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders

Essay

• Sociology helps you write unique perspectives in essays.

Interview

• Being a Sociology student gives you an edge in maintaining balance in your answers in front of the Interview board members. You will be well aware of various gender/caste/class/community based biases – it can help you become an objective and sensitive person.

Challenges in Sociology optional

• Biggest challenge in Sociology optional is answer writing. It is one thing to understand sociological concept and other to write it. Many aspirants find it difficult to write asnwers in Sociology (despite having good knowlege of subject) – Solution is extensive answer writing practice
• Answers are open to interpretation and candidates need to think before writing as to which opinion should be presented and which should be withheld.
• It is challenging to write Sociological answers in Paper 2 – where GS like questions are asked (Eg. Write short note on green revolution)
• To conclude, one can say that sociology optional is interesting, easy to study and easy to score optional which one can choose to clear UPSC civil services Examination.

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