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.
Béteille's work on Caste, Class and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in a Tanjore Village (1966) departs significantly from the writings which equate caste with stratification. Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Caste SystemSocial Classes in India
How has B.R. Ambedkar identified the features of the caste system? How is it different from the mainstream treatment of caste features?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste SystemUntouchability
Discuss the role of backward class movements in strengthening the process of social mobility among lower castes.
25 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Dalit and Backward Class MovementsCaste System
Different perspectives to the social problem of Untouchability
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
UntouchabilityCaste System
Discuss the impact of industrialisation and urbanisation on the caste system and class dynamics in India.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Industrialisation and the Working ClassUrbanisation and Slums
Andre Beteille's understanding of caste offers reflections & a contradiction to Dumont's understanding of Caste. Comment.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Caste SystemIndology
"Paid menstrual leaves for women will reinforce existing stereotypes". Critically analyse. "Caste must be counted because it counts". Discuss the statement in light of the recent debates over caste- based census. The modern working class came into being with the rise of capitalist mode of production. In light of this, discuss the emergence and consolidation of working class in India. To what extent do you agree with the assertion that the processes of industrialization and urbanization in India have reduced the significance of caste differences while strengthening the influence of class dynamics? Discuss. Explain the changes brought by globalisation in the modes of production in Indian agriculture? Evaluate the concept of new social movements in the context of Indian society, considering their reflection on societal changes.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Caste SystemPatriarchy and Entitlements
As the father of Indian sociology, G.S. Ghurye pioneered the Indological approach that relied on archaeological evidences, manuscripts and ancient texts to understand Indian society.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
IndologyCaste System
To what extent decentralization of power has been effective and equitable in case of India?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Regionalism and DecentralisationNation, Democracy and Citizenship
Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words : 10 x 5 = 50 Sanskritization involves 'positional change' in caste system without any 'structural' change. Analyse.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Caste SystemStructural Functionalism
Analyse the changing nexus between caste and tribe. d) Briefly discuss the concept of Ethno-nationalism along with suitable examples.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Tribal CommunitiesCaste System
In what ways does the idea of "Dominant Caste" remain relevant for understanding rural social dynamics in 21st-century India? Illustrate with examples. How does Yogendra Singh's theory of modernization explain the contradictions between tradition and modernity in Indian society?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Structural FunctionalismModernisation of Indian Tradition
Caste system studies in India have been dominated by Book-view initially. How did the entry of field view bring about a balance in study of Indian caste system? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste SystemIndology
Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 100 words. II. Village studies in Indian sociology
10 marks · 100 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Village and Village StudiesStructural Functionalism
Give an account of Rajni Kothari's study of the relationship of caste and politics.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Parties, Pressure Groups and ElitesCaste System
Does the concept of 'creamy layer' undermine the principles of social justice and equity? Throw light on implication of recent SC judgements on the concept of creamy layer for OBCs introduced by the report of Justice G. Rohini commission. Recently SC judgement in Davinder Singh case allowed sub-classification of SC reservation.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste SystemDalit and Backward Class Movements
The purity of the caste can be ensured through closely guarding women who form the pivot for the whole structure. In light of this statement, discuss how gender and caste are related to each other.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Patriarchy and EntitlementsCaste System
Discuss the Gandhian vision of independent India. e) Explain the role of dominant castes in agrarian social structure and transformation in India.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Village and Village StudiesAgrarian Structure and Land Reforms
With increasing inter-caste and inter-religious marriages in India, how is the traditional notion of caste endogamy being challenged?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Caste SystemKinship, Family and Marriage in India
Caste as a social reality was viewed differently by Gandhi and Ambedkar. Their perspectives diverge but meet at a common end. Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Caste SystemUntouchability
Briefly discuss the challenges to Indian Nationalism in contemporary times. Even though Untouchability seems to be eradicated in manifest forms, it still exists in a latent form. Examine. The Latest National Health Mission report has flagged the 'uneven burden' women bear in family planning. Discuss the reasons for this imbalance and other socio-cultural barriers for family planning in India.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Nation, Democracy and CitizenshipCaste System
Critically examine Louis Dumont's concept of purity and pollution.
15 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2015
Caste SystemIndology
India social system is organised around caste structure, therefore, caste and politics can never be separated. Critically analyse the statement.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Parties, Pressure Groups and ElitesCaste System
Is caste census necessary for promoting equitable social development in India? Argue.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Caste SystemPoverty and Inequality
Evidence against the view that tribes are primitive communities living isolated lives untouched by civilisation.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Tribal CommunitiesModernisation of Indian Tradition
Is tradition a barrier to modernisation or does modernisation take the form of traditionalism in Indian context?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Modernisation of Indian TraditionCaste System
Discuss Max Weber's theory of power and authority in the Indian context. How do different forms of authority manifest in Indian social structures?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Parties, Pressure Groups and ElitesCaste System
Affirmative actions are taken by a welfare state to bring substantive equality in consonance with formal equality established by Constitution.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Constitution, Law and Social ChangePoverty and Inequality
India's education landscape is extremely unequal and the inequalities manifest themselves in the form of differences based on caste, class and, in some cases, gender. Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Illiteracy and Educational DisparitiesCaste System
To what extent does Modernisation lead to the breakdown of traditional social structure and values? Give reasons to support your answer. Is India’s rising middle class an engine of growth or a loose wheel? Discuss in the light of impact of COVID Pandemic on middle class in India.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Modernisation of Indian TraditionCaste System