Sociology II · Topic
Caste System
Perspectives on caste (Ghurye, Srinivas, Dumont, Beteille), the features of the caste system, and how caste is changing.
278 UPSC Mains Sociology II questions on Caste System that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Discuss the sociological significance of affirmative actions taken by welfare state like India for the vulnerable sections of the society.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Constitution, Law and Social ChangeCaste System
Did caste-based reservations led to the politicization of caste rather than its annihilation?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste SystemParties, Pressure Groups and Elites
G.S Ghurye liberated the study of Indian society from the colonial biases and laid the true foundation of discipline of sociology in India. Substantiate this statement.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
IndologyCaste System
Caste Mobility in India. "India's Nationalism was the result of the material conditions created by the British Colonialism." Examine the statement with respect to AR Desai's work. Compare and Contrast the perspective of Andre Beteille and MN Srinivas with respect to 'study of caste'. The lopsided, iniquitous and environmentally destructive processes of development has given rise to environmental movements in India. Examine.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Marxist SociologyColonial Rule and Nationalism
Land Reforms are both the causes as well as the effects of a thorough-going change in the powerbalance. Explain.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Agrarian Structure and Land ReformsCaste System
'Caste is getting consolidated as more it disintegrates.' Inter caste conflicts are a recent phenomenon of colonial times and arose largely because of opportunity structures to attain social mobility in secular hierarchy.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Caste ConflictsCaste System
Examine the relevance of 'discrete castes and muddled hierarchies' in understanding the changing features of the caste system in contemporary India. (b) Critically discuss the challenges in maintaining communal harmony in India. How does religious pluralism shape inter-community relations? (c) Discuss the limitations of Ghurye's and Elwin's models of tribal integration. What are the evolved perspectives on the tribal question in India?
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste System
Analyze the significance of the concept of dominant caste in understanding the social and political dynamics of rural India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Caste SystemStructural Functionalism
"Each caste is demanding superiority to equals and equality to superiors".
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Caste SystemModernisation of Indian Tradition
Examine the relevance of 'discrete castes and muddled hierarchies' in understanding the changing features of the caste system in contemporary India.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste System
Compare and contrast between Beteille's and Dumont's analysis of caste.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste SystemIndology
Explain the interactional approach to study of caste in India. (1) (c) Discuss the regional variation in kinship in North and south India.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Kinship, Family and Marriage in IndiaCaste System
Explain the interplay of caste and democratic politics in India. (b) Distinguish between Indian morality and constitutional morality.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Nation, Democracy and CitizenshipCaste System
Bonded labour is a labour where there is :-
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Rural Labour, Bondage and MigrationPoverty and Inequality
Throw light on role played by Jyotiba Phule in promoting caste and gender equality in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Social ReformCaste System
Contrast and compare social position and problems of religious minorities and Dalits in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Religious Communities and MinoritiesCaste System
There are contestations related to the nature of caste & class in India, while some view caste & class as polar opposites, others view of nexus between caste & class. Discuss
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Caste SystemSocial Classes in India
Religious tenets incentivise conversions on grounds that one who converts the most people, will attain salvation. Discuss the social significance of religious conversions.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Religious Communities and MinoritiesSocial Reform
Jainism and Buddhism grew as a reaction to Brahmanical orthodoxy. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Social ReformCaste System
India's educational landscape is extremely unequal and the inequalities manifests themselves in the form of differences based on caste, class and, in some cases, gender. Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Illiteracy and Educational DisparitiesCaste System
The twin shackles that once decided matters for India's villagers, caste and agriculture, no longer exercise their rigorous hold"- Dipankar Gupta. Examine the statement in the light of changing structure of Indian villages.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Village and Village StudiesCaste System
Sanskritisation involves 'positional change' in caste system without any structural change. Analyse
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Caste SystemStructural Functionalism
Manual scavenging is defined as the act of lifting human excreta by humans. This is present in Indian society still, despite frameworks like Ban on Manual Scavenging
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
UntouchabilityCaste System
Recently, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan expressed concerns over continuation of reservations in jobs and education. In this context, discuss whether reservation system needs a re-evaluation.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Caste SystemDalit and Backward Class Movements
What according to you, are the factors responsible for the continuance of caste system in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste SystemParties, Pressure Groups and Elites
Despite a fast-growing economy and the largest anti-malnutrition programme, India has the world's worst level of child malnutrition. Elaborate the social causes as well as consequences of malnutrition in India.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Poverty and InequalityPatriarchy and Entitlements
Radhakrishnan notes that education is the most important force of social mobility in India, but the lived reality paints a complex picture as against desired.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Education and Social Change in IndiaPoverty and Inequality
Despite various legal safeguards, the spectre of bonded labour still plagues Indian society. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Rural Labour, Bondage and MigrationPoverty and Inequality
Critically evaluate Louis Dumont's understanding of the Indian caste system.
15 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
Caste SystemIndology
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Discuss M.N. Srinivas's view on caste and varna. (b) Examine G.S. Ghurye's perspective on tribes in India. (c) Elaborate the concept of 'Dominant Caste' as given by M.N. Srinivas. (d) Discuss the nexus between caste and class in India.
150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
IndologyStructural Functionalism