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Candidates attempting the UPSC Sociology optional in the civil services exam are advised to acquaint themselves with the IAS Sociology 2024 Syllabus. The UPSC sociology syllabus pdf download can be done on the official UPSC website- upsc.gov.in. The sociology syllabus contains a list of important topics that will be covered in the IAS exam.
Download - IAS Sociology Syllabus 2024 pdf
The UPSC CSE Syllabus and the official Civil services exam pattern can help aspirants prepare a solid preparation strategy. Candidates are encouraged to consult the UPSC Sociology syllabus and account for the topics in the syllabus while drafting a preparation strategy for the IAS exam.
Sociology as a subject is very important for UPSC Exam Preparation because there is an overlap between the topics covered in the IAS Sociology 2024 Syllabus and the topics covered in the general studies paper. This makes sociology a valuable optional subject to choose because candidates can study more efficiently due to the overlap of topics from the UPSC Sociology Syllabus. Candidates are encouraged to download the UPSC sociology optional syllabus pdf and go through the material below for information regarding the IAS Sociology Syllabus.
It is important for candidates preparing for Sociology as an optional subject must go through the Sociology Optional Syllabus for IAS 2024. UPSC Sociology syllabus for IAS is released separately for both the CSE prelims and the mains. For more details, candidates can consult the IAS Sociology Syllabus in the table below.
Chapters | Topics |
Sociology - The Discipline |
|
Research Methods and Analysis |
|
Works and Economic Life |
|
Sociological Thinkers |
|
Sociology as Science |
|
Stratification and Mobility |
|
Politics and Society |
|
Religion and Society |
|
Social Change in Modern Society |
|
Systems of Kinship |
|
Also read: Information about category-wise career exams
Chapter | Topics |
Introducing Indian Society | Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society
Impact of colonial rule on Indian society
|
Social Structure | Rural and Agrarian Social Structure:
|
Caste System in India |
|
Systems of Kinship in India |
|
Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India |
|
Religion and Society |
|
Tribal Communities in India |
|
Social Classes in India |
|
Visions of Social Change in India |
|
Politics and Society |
|
Industrialization and Urbanisation in India |
|
Social Movements in Modern India |
|
Population Dynamics |
|
Challenges of Social Transformation |
|
UPSC Subject-wise Questions for various Subjects
Given the large number of optional subjects that one can choose from while writing the IAS exam 2024, many candidates are bound to get confused about the best optional subject for them. Let’s discuss some of the advantages of choosing Sociology as an optional subject to provide some clarity to those looking to take this subject.
Candidates taking sociology will be able to study efficiently as there is an overlap in topics covered in the IAS sociology optional syllabus and the General studies paper.
Candidates from any background can pick sociology as a subject
The sociology syllabus is relatively shorter compared to some other subjects
Sociology is a great choice of optional subject for those who prefer subjects that can be learnt by conceptual understanding over rote learning
Sociology as a subject complements the profession of an IAS officer really well as the topics covered by the UPSC Sociology Syllabus deal with the condition of society.
Along with the UPSC Sociology Syllabus 2024, candidates can also refer to this curated list of the best books for IAS Sociology optional to find good study material for preparation.
Yogendra Singh book- Modernisation of Indian Tradition
Social change in India - M.N. Srinivas
Mahapatra class notes
Upendra sir notes
Haralambos Blue book
NCERT books of sociology
IGNOU books (Certain chapters)
Social Background of Indian Nationalism - A.R. Desai
Also read: UPSC Mock Tests Series for UPSC
Candidates preparing for the UPSC Sociology 2024 exam must go through the list of recommended books for the exam in order to study the topics from the UPSC Sociology Syllabus effectively. For more details, candidates can consult the table given below.
Book name | Author |
Sociological Theory | Ritzer George |
Political Theory | O P Gauba |
Related Articles
Book name | Author |
Indian Society and Culture | Nadeem Hasnain |
Persistence and Change in Tribal India | M.V. Rao |
Also check:
IAS selection process 2024 comprises prelims exam, mains exam and personal interview.
Candidates between the age of 21 to 32 years can fill out the IAS application form.
No candidates are not allowed to challenge the IAS answer key.
IAS result 2024 will be released in PDF having roll numbers of all the qualified candidates.
Others:28 January,2025 - 31 May,2025
Others:18 February,2025 - 31 May,2025
Application Date:13 April,2025 - 10 May,2025
Others:30 April,2025 - 31 May,2025
Application Correction Date:04 May,2025 - 13 May,2025
Hello!
IRAS (Indian Railway Accounts Service) officers can be posted in both cities and rural areas since Indian Railways has offices and operations nationwide. They typically work in divisional offices, zonal offices, workshops, and production units. Transfers do happen but are usually not very frequent and depend on government policies and organizational needs.
Hope this helps!
To become an IAS officer, you must clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and then undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). While any bachelor's degree is acceptable, choosing a degree that aligns with the UPSC syllabus, particularly in humanities and social sciences, can be advantageous.
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE):
This is the primary exam for becoming an IAS officer, involving three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test (Interview).
Any Bachelor's Degree:
A graduate degree from a recognized university is the basic requirement to be eligible for the CSE.
Beneficial Degrees:
Degrees in humanities and social sciences, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), can be helpful due to the syllabus overlap with subjects like History, Political Science, Sociology, and Economics.
Optional Subject:
You can choose an optional subject in the Mains exam, and a BA degree can provide a wide range of options.
Hope it helps!!
Hello!!
That's a great goal—and your background as a research scholar can actually be a big asset in preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), which is the path to becoming an IAS officer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Become an IAS Officer:
1. Understand the Exam Structure
The UPSC CSE has three stages:
Prelims: Objective (GS Paper + CSAT)
Mains: Descriptive (9 papers)
Interview: Personality Test
2. Check Eligibility
Age: 21 to 32 (for General category)
Degree: Any graduate degree (you already qualify)
3. Choose Your Optional Subject
Choose something you’re comfortable with (can be from your research field if it's available).
Popular optionals: Sociology, Geography, PSIR, Anthropology, etc.
4. Build a Study Plan
Since you're a research scholar, time management is key.
Daily 4–6 hours of focused study can work if you're consistent.
Focus on:
NCERTs (6th–12th)
Standard books (like Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for History)
Current Affairs (The Hindu, Indian Express, or PIB + Monthly compilations)
5. Join a Test Series (Optional but Helpful)
For Prelims and Mains: to build speed, writing skills, and clarity.
6. Practice Answer Writing
Mains is all about articulation. Practice with previous year questions and mock tests.
7. Appear for the Exam
Notification comes out around February.
Prelims is in May/June, Mains in September, and Interview early next year.
How to Align This With Your Research Schedule:
Create a realistic time-table that includes 2–3 hours on weekdays, and more on weekends.
Use your research experience for deeper understanding and essay writing.
If your goal is to become an IAS officer, choose a degree that supports UPSC preparation and also provides a good backup:
BA in Political Science, History, Geography, or Economics is ideal for IAS.
BSc or BCom is fine too, but you'll need to study humanities separately for UPSC.
For backup, pick a subject with good job prospects like BBA or Computer Science.
KCET is required only if you're planning professional courses like Engineering or Agriculture. It's not needed for BA or general degrees.
Hello aspirant,
For becoming IAS , you have to first complete your graduation from any background from any recognised university or college. If you are in your final year, then also you are eligible. After that you have to give an entrance exam name UPSC . If you will clear this exam then according to your marks you may get the IAS position.
To know about UPSC entrance exam, kindly go through the given link:
https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse
All the best!!
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