Best Sociology Optional Coaching Online for UPSC
We offer Sociology Optional Coaching online for UPSC under Bibhash Sharma’s expert mentorship.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Complete preparation for Paper I & II with clear, concept-based lectures.
- Live Interactive Classes: 2-hour online sessions streamed directly from the Delhi Centre.
- Two-Way Communication: Real-time interaction with Bibhash Sharma for instant doubt clarification and personalized mentorship during live classes.
- Answer Writing Practice: Integrated sessions after each class to strengthen analytical and presentation skills – includes Concept Mapping Worksheet (Sample PDF) , Concept Mapping Test (Sample PDF) , Revision Test (Sample PDF) , and Reflective Exercise (Sample PDF) .
- Current Affairs Linkage: Apply sociological theories to real-world issues and UPSC-relevant examples.
- 8 Booklets: Concise, updated material covering key topics and essential references for both papers.
Beginner FAQs
1. Who should join this course?
This course is ideal for both beginners and repeaters preparing for the UPSC Sociology Optional. It helps build a strong conceptual base and clear understanding under the direct mentorship of Bibhash Sharma Sir.
2. What is the duration of the course?
The Sociology Optional course lasts for about 3 months, covering Paper I and Paper II completely, with integrated answer writing and revision sessions.
3. What modes of learning are available?
Students can choose between Offline classes at the Delhi Centre or Online live classes, both offering the same quality and depth of learning.
4. Are recorded lectures available?
Yes. Recorded classes are available for both online and offline students after each live session for revision and concept reinforcement
5. Are online classes interactive?
Absolutely. Online classes include live discussions and real-time interaction during lectures and Zoom-based doubt-clearing sessions with Bibhash Sharma Sir.
6. Is study material included in the fee?
Yes. Every student receives eight comprehensive booklets of Sociology notes, including topic-wise compilations and reference material designed by Bibhash Sharma.
7. Will current affairs be covered?
Yes. The course seamlessly integrates current sociological issues and UPSC-relevant developments into Paper I and II discussions to keep content updated and analytical.
8. Is there an answer writing component?
Yes. Each class includes live answer writing practice to improve articulation and structure. Students also work on Concept Mapping Worksheets, Tests, Revision Exercises, and Reflective Writing Tasks developed exclusively by Bibhash Sharma.
9. How can students clear their doubts?
Dedicated Zoom doubt-clearing sessions are held after regular classes for personalized guidance and concept clarification directly with the mentor.
Sociology Optional Coaching - 2026
- Duration: Approx. 3 Months
- Study Materials: 8 Booklets (Hard Copy)
- Mode: Online/Live Classes
- Recordings available post-class
- Language of Instructions: English
- Platform: Zoom
- Syllabus Coverage: Complete
- Level: Basic to Advanced (UPSC-Oriented)
- Concept Mapping Worksheet - Download Sample
- Concept Mapping Test - Download Sample
- Revision Test - Download Sample
- Reflective Exercise - Download Sample
- Duration: Self-Paced
- Study Materials: 8 Booklets (Hard Copy)
- Mode: Recorded Lecture Classes
- Language of Instructions: English
- Platform: Elite IAS
- Syllabus Coverage: Complete
- Sectional Test: Yes
- Level: Basic to Advanced (UPSC-Oriented)
- 10 live Zoom/Google Meet sessions for doubt resolution
- Mentor Bibhash Sharma
- Total=10 test
- It includes 6 Sectional Test (3 each on Paper 1 and 2)
- 4 Full Length Tests.
- Test Discussion With Model Answers
- Dedicated Mentorship will be available throughout the program.
- Live Discussion Session with Mentor Bibhash Sharma (via Zoom / Google Meet)
Early registrations also receive pre-class readings and dedicated mentorship slots. Seats are limited to maintain quality interaction.
Why Choose Sociology Optional for UPSC
Understanding the Edge Sociology Gives You
Sociology helps you decode the social fabric of India – power, culture, inequality, modernization, and development. Its interdisciplinary nature overlaps with General Studies Paper I, Essay, and Ethics, giving aspirants maximum syllabus leverage.
It’s conceptual rather than factual, allowing candidates from any background – Arts, Science, or Engineering – to perform equally well. No wonder Sociology continues to be one of the most popular and successful UPC optionals – with 9.8% success rate in the 2023 exam, among the highest across all subjects.
UPSC 2023 Optional Success Rate : (6 Popular Optional Subjects)
Distribution of Candidates who Appeared vis-à-vis Recommended by Optional Subjects – Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2023
| S.No. | Optional Subject | No. of Candidates Appeared | No. of Candidates Recommended | Success Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sociology | 1293 | 127 | 9.8 |
| 2 | Political Science and International Relations | 1571 | 140 | 8.9 |
| 3 | Public Administration | 361 | 31 | 8.6 |
| 4 | Philosophy | 265 | 20 | 7.5 |
| 5 | Geography | 1079 | 66 | 6.1 |
| 6 | History | 574 | 25 | 4.4 |
A Subject That Builds Thinkers and Writers
About Bibhash Sharma – India’s Trusted Sociology Mentor
Two Decades of UPSC Mentorship
- Abhinav Jain (IAS) – AIR 14
- Abhilash Baranwal (IAS) – AIR 44
- Ila Tripathi (IAS) – AIR 51
- Ashutosh Dwivedi (IAS) – AIR 70
- Nikhil Pathak (IPS) – AIR 107
- Namita Sharma (IRS) – AIR 145
His Teaching Philosophy
- Concept before Content: true understanding before memorization.
- Framework Learning: every topic converted into logical diagrams and sociological linkages.
- Paper I ↔ Paper II Integration: thinkers applied to Indian realities.
- Answer Writing Training: weekly evaluation and feedback.
His clarity-driven approach has made even non-arts students excel, both in classroom and sociology optional coaching online modes.
How Our Sociology Optional Online Classes Work
- Direct Mentorship by Bibhash Sharma – live interaction in Delhi or online.
- Full Syllabus Coverage – Paper 1 (Theories & Thinkers) and Paper 2 (Indian Society & Social Change).
- Scientific Learning Approach – charts, models, and micro-topic analysis.
- Updated Material 2025 – integrates latest UPSC question trends and current affairs.
- Regular Tests & Evaluation – formative and summative tests with personalized remarks.
- Flexible Modes – join classroom or sociology optional coaching online.
- Small Batch Size – ensures two-way discussion and mentorship continuity.
- Toppers’ Sessions – strategy workshops with high-scorers from past years.
Our Achievers
Key Features of Sociology Optional Coaching at Elite IAS
Why best online coaching for sociology optional:
Teacher will deliver lectures on concerned topics to develop clarity i.e. Explanation & Discussion of Topics. NO DICTATION. (We consider that dictating the content to students in the online classes is simply wastage of our precious time. The study materials & live class recording of lectures will be available to all students. Yes, students can jot some important points for their personal understanding.) This is the uniqueness of this sociology optional coaching online.
Participatory Class:
During class, students can ask questions to get their confusion dispelled. We motivate students to raise relevant questions in the classroom.
Study Materials:
Immediately after admission in sociology optional online coaching, full study materials of sociology optional for UPSC will be supplied to our students. (Sociology study materials updated in 2025)
Answer Writing:
Sociological answer-writing skills & techniques will be taught to students. This is the greatest advantage of sociology optional coaching at Elite IAS Academy.
Unit Test:
Chapters/Units covered in the classroom will be assessed with the Classroom/Unit test at a regular interval (every Sunday).
Course Duration:
Around Three Months of sociology optional coaching.
Experienced Teacher:
Mr. Bibhash Sharma has more than 22 years of teaching experience. It means students will learn, understand, practice answer-writing of sociology under the careful guidance of the well-experienced teacher. The cumulative effect makes this institute the best sociology coaching in Delhi.
Study Support:
One (1) year full study support. A student can consult the teacher(s) even after completion of their course. Can seek an appointment discuss on Zoom / Google Meet or contact via phone or email.
All India Sociology Test Series (Mains):
All classroom students will be entitled to 20% fee concession for our All India Sociology Test Series Mains.
What are the Benefits of Choosing Sociology as an optional subject for UPSC
Sociology extends what we naturally know about ‘social interactions’ in daily life.
As a student, you are already connected to society and have a basic understanding of it. Choosing sociology as an optional subject offers multiple benefits. It not only helps you score well on the optional papers but also improves your essay writing skills.
Advantages of Sociology Optional in UPSC:
Short Syllabus:
Sociology UPSC has a more streamlined syllabus that is easy to understand and command over it. It’s especially popular among arts and humanities students.
Even those with a science background find it accessible and easy to understand. In recent few years, most of the sociology top scorers in UPSC are from engineering backgrounds.
Subject Credibility: It’s unlikely you will score poorly in this subject. Even if you haven’t finished the syllabus, you can still answer questions using a broad perspective, which will help you score marks. It is considered that Sociology optional in UPSC either awards you average marks or good marks, but never poor. This contrasts with other subjects where you risk scoring zero on your answers.
Benefit in Essay Writing: Studying sociology allows you to develop a well-rounded knowledge and ability to create comprehensive theories about various issues. This broader understanding can significantly improve the quality of your essays, leading to better marks in that section of the exam.
Sociology’s Relevance in General Studies: As a subject that covers a broad range of topics, sociology can be extremely beneficial for all four General Studies papers. Its focus on societal structures, norms, and issues can provide you with a well-rounded perspective that is applicable in various areas of study. This can be particularly useful for understanding topics like governance, social justice, and international relations, which are often covered in General Studies.
Furthermore, it is directly related to GS Paper-I and Paper-4 i.e. Ethics and Integrity paper; very often the questions are based on Weber or Durkheim’s perspectives.
High Success Rate in UPSC for Sociology: The success rate for candidates choosing Sociology as their optional subject varies but generally falls within a range of 85 to 240 selections. While these numbers may seem encouraging, it’s important to consider that many candidates excel in their Sociology optional but struggle with the General Studies papers, which prevents them from successfully clearing the Mains examination.
Therefore, the success rate for Sociology should be viewed in the broader context of overall exam performance.
Sociology is a safer optional in UPSC: Choosing Sociology is often considered a safer bet because it doesn’t necessitate specialized knowledge or an academic background in the field for successful preparation. There are numerous instances where candidates, even without any prior familiarity with sociology, have scored highly on their optional papers. This makes it an accessible choice for people from various educational backgrounds, including those in the sciences or engineering, adding to its appeal as a well-rounded, low-risk optional subject for the UPSC exam.
Improves Your UPSC Interview and Public Speaking Abilities: Working on your skills for the IAS interview and public speaking can benefit you in multiple ways, not just for the UPSC exam but for various stages of your career as well. Preparing thoroughly for these aspects can increase your confidence, improve your articulation, and give you a competitive edge. It can also make you more comfortable in high-stakes situations, whether it’s during the UPSC interview or presenting in front of a panel or audience in other professional settings.
Strategy for Preparing the Sociology Optional
A well-structured preparation strategy for UPSC exam with sociology optional will surely increase your chances of success. Sociology helps you understand how society works. This makes you a better person who knows how to live well with others.
Why Sociology Optional for UPSC:
Sociology optional does not only make you knowledgeable person but also transforms your personality. It makes you more flexible and ready to fit into society as an individual. Sociology helps us in understanding the social structure of society, which includes religion, education, family, politics and economy. You also learn how these things are interconnected to each other as a ‘social system’.Examining critical perspectives in sociological theories helps you make sense of issues like social inequality, social behaviours, social systems etc. You understand both the positive and negative roles these systems plays. As an individual, studying sociology makes you more open to differing opinions. Sociological concepts have been effective in addressing many social problems.
The following guidelines will help beginners in getting ready for UPSC Sociology Optional:
Step 1: Cultivate a real passion for Sociology optional subject.
The key element in preparing for the sociology optional for UPSC exam is time investment. You need to spend a lot of time on your chosen subject, and it’s easier if you genuinely enjoy what you are studying. Initially, avoid diving into theoretical aspects. Start by reading the Class 12 NCERT book with an open mind.
Step 2: Review the Sociology syllabus and questions from past years.
Understanding what to study is important, but knowing what you can skip is even more vital. The syllabus is key. If possible, try to memorise the key topics of the Sociology syllabus. This will help in connecting the themes in Paper 1 and Paper 2. Create a mind map for the course.
Step 3: Initially Read the materials relevant to Sociology Optional.
During the first reading, avoid taking notes or writing anything down. Focus on understanding the ideas. Link them to what’s happening in the world today. For instance, if you are in the IT field, relate what you read to Marx’s concept of alienation or of feeling disconnected. Some terms from earlier readings may be hard to understand. You might also find that parts of the syllabus are not covered, have patience, in advance studies you will be able to discover all these parts.
Step 4: Read the material a second time and start taking notes.
Create notes on A4 sheets and organize them in a ring folder. When you update information on these topics later, just insert the new A4 page in the correct section of the folder. This way, all notes on a subject are in one place, making it easy to go over them before the exam. Also, consider getting the Oxford Dictionary of Sociology to help clarify sociological terms.
Step 5: Improve quality of the content and fill any missing areas.
During the initial reading, jot down notes on an A4 sheet and place it in the correct section of your ring binder. After taking notes from these materials, you may not need to read more. Now focus on filling in any missing information and building upon what you have already noted.
Step 6: Pay attention to Government Schemes, Reports, Economic survey, Budget, Current affairs etc.
Current events are constantly changing and are therefore very dynamic. Due to their significant and ever-changing nature, current affairs are a part of almost every competitive exam. Below are some top resources for getting ready for this section.
Newspapers
– The Indian Express, Times of India, The Hindu, etc.
Monthly Current Affairs Magazine
– Yojana Magazine, Kurukshetra Magazine, Economic and Political Weekly (for some topics only), Niti Aayog reports, World Focus year-end issue only, etc.
Internet
– You can find numerous online resources to consult and follow.
Step 7: Assess your own Progress.
Self-assessment involves judging your own performance based on specific guidelines. It’s a way to grow mentally. When you evaluate yourself, you learn about your strong and weak points. Recognizing your shortcomings and then addressing them is key to making progress in life and/or your studies.
Why Choose Sociology as an Optional Subject for UPSC Civil Services
Sociology helps you understand how society functions - from institutions and social structures to issues like inequality and change. It’s not just theory; it’s real life. That’s why UPSC aspirants from every background find it relatable, enjoyable, and high-scoring.
Key Benefits of Taking Sociology Optional in UPSC Preparation
Sociology Optional offers high marks with a manageable syllabus. Its strong overlap with General Studies and Essay papers gives you double mileage in preparation. The subject trains you to think analytically - a skill that helps in both Mains and Interview.
UPSC Sociology Syllabus Explained – Paper I & II in Simple Terms
Paper I focuses on the core theories and thinkers of Sociology, while Paper II applies them to the Indian context - society, family, caste, and social change. With the right guidance, the syllabus can be completed in 3–4 months and revised with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why choose Elite IAS for Sociology Optional Coaching?
Elite IAS, led by Bibhash Sharma with over 22 years of experience, offers result-oriented Sociology Optional Coaching in Delhi and online. The program emphasizes conceptual clarity, personalized mentorship, and test-based evaluation, helping students excel in both Paper I and Paper II. Many sociology optional toppers, including Abhinav J. Jain (IAS, Rank 14), Abhilash Baranwal (IAS, Rank 44), Ila Tripathi (IAS, Rank 51), and several others, have been mentored here.
What makes Bibhash Sharma the best Sociology Optional teacher for UPSC?
His 22-year legacy of simplifying complex theories, integrating current affairs, and producing consistent UPSC toppers. This makes Bibhash Sharma the best sociology teacher for UPSC.
Is the online batch as effective as classroom coaching?
Yes, the best sociology optional coaching online at Elite IAS mirrors the classroom experience – same faculty, material, and evaluation system.
Is Sociology Optional good for non-arts backgrounds?
Absolutely. It’s conceptual, analytical, and requires logical thinking rather than prior academic specialization.
What is the duration of Sociology Optional online classes?
The sociology optional online course runs approx. 3 months with five classes per week plus regular tests and feedback sessions.
About Elite IAS Academy
Elite IAS Academy is Delhi’s premier UPSC coaching institute, offering comprehensive courses for General Studies, Optionals, and Interview Preparation.
With its focus on scientific teaching, personal mentorship, and limited batches, Elite IAS has produced hundreds of civil servants serving India today.
The Sociology Optional Coaching Online and Offline program, led by Bibhash Sharma, remains its flagship course and a national benchmark for UPSC success.