AIR 529 · CSE 2022 · Sociology II · 49 pages

Ghazalpreet Kaur: Sociology II answer copy

17 answers by Ghazalpreet Kaur, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1While caste remains an important dimension of modern social life, its relevance is mostly limited in contemporary times. Critically discuss.
  2. Q1(a)Sanskritisation involves 'positional change' in caste system without any structural change. Analyse
  3. Q1(b)Recently Pasmanda Muslim group demanded caste census for Muslims too. In this context, discuss the presence of caste among muslims.
  4. Q1(c)Explain the interactional approach to study of caste in India. (1) (c) Discuss the regional variation in kinship in North and south India.
  5. Q1(d)Enumerate the distinctive characteristics of the Tribes in India.
  6. Q1(e)From dwindling numbers to identity crises, religious minorities are facing multiple problems in India. Critically discuss.
  7. Q3(b)Land reform measures since Independence has brought about some change in rural India. In the context of this statement, evaluate the progress & performance of land reforms measures undertaken.
  8. Q4(a)Yogendra Singh's evaluation of social change in India is a departure from earlier analysis of social change. Discuss.
  9. Q4(b)The idea of Indian villages as simple, static and self sufficient provided by colonial administrators has been criticised by many scholars. Discuss.
  10. Q4(c)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.
  11. Q5(b)Elaborate on Daniel Thorner's conception of natural division of agrarian population in India into different class categories.
  12. Q5(c)Discuss various sociological perspectives on tribal integration and autonomy in India.
  13. Q5(d)Construct a sociological narrative on raising the legal age of marriage for women in India.
  14. Q5(e)Jainism and Buddhism grew as reaction to Brahmanical orthodoxy. Comment.
  15. Q7(a)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.
  16. Q8(a)Modern society is characterized by departure from tradition and religion to individualism and rational organisation of society. In the context of this statement, discuss to what extent marriage in India undergone change.
  17. Q8(c)Within the informal workforce, there is persistent gender based occupational segregation. In this context, analyse the feminisation of informal labour.

The answers

Question 1 · 415 words written

While caste remains an important dimension of modern social life, its relevance is mostly limited in contemporary times. Critically discuss.

Opening · a definition

Caste system is an age old institution in India. It is a very dynamic system. It is often seen that with advent of modernisation, hold of caste on the society decreased.

Limited relevance in contemporary times :

Body · points

  • No more caste based occupations in India
    • Brahmins in trade today
    • Many Non-Brahmins / SCs in the village political system.
  • Secular education taught today :
    • CBSE / National / state boards gives secular education
    • Madrasas / Pathshalas are also given modern look and mandated to teach secular education
  • Intercaste marriages prevalent (etc)

Reasons :

Caste mobility is the reality today

  1. Impact of education => secular education taught in schools - ideas of individualism, equality etc questions caste hierarchies and promote intercaste linkages.

  2. Industrialisation => In Industries, it is not possible to maintain caste gaps; mobility in means of transportation etc increased inter-caste links.

  3. Laws => Prevention of attrocities to SCs/STs act; Manuel scavenging (Prohibition and removal) act etc lead to emancipation of lower caste groups.

  4. Mobility by reservation => Affirmative action => reservation in jobs for SCs/STs led to caste mobility.

M.N. Srinivas = Numerical strength of caste plays important role today.

  1. Mobility by forming caste groups/associations :- Various caste associations demand policies from government in their favour. Even political parties formed by lower castes eg => Bamcef, LJP, BSP etc.

  2. Migration => provides great avenue to change caste status. Eg:- Harold Gould study of Rickshawalas allows Brahmins doing rickshawpulling, setting up tea stalls in urban areas because of anoymity provided by urban areas.

Even though caste-system changed but caste-consciousness still remain.

  1. M.N. Srinivas = New avatar of caste Today caste no longer plays ritual role but secular role. Secular mobility taken today by demand for reservation in India. Thus class can never replace caste in India. India cannot go for absolute change.

  2. Andre-Beteille = vote bank politics in the name of caste is the reality today. From being consensus hierarchy, caste today has become competitive hierarchy. Today castes compete with each other for limited resources (Patidar Andolan, Maratha reservation demand etc).

  3. Technology keeps caste alive => Matrimonial sites allows ones to keep caste ties in marriage alive.

Close · a summary

Today demand for caste census means caste still holds an important place in the Indian state apparatus also not just in the society. Thus Louis Dumont view that caste is the reality of India if not fully but partially true in case of India.