Sociology Optional Coaching for UPSC

Preparation Strategy for Sociology Optional:

Sociology, in general, and the UPSC syllabus in particular, assist you in better comprehending society and, as a result, you will become a better person with a reason for making and living a better social life.

It makes you more elastic and adaptable to society as an individual. Sociology aids us in comprehending the social structure, which includes the family, economy, politics, education, and religion. It assists us in comprehending the interconnectedness of various Structures, The Social System.

Sociological theories’ Critical Perspectives assist us in comprehending Social Inequalities, Social Facts, Social Actions, Social Systems, and the Function and Dysfunctions of Social Structures. As a person, sociology teaches you to be more accepting of opposing viewpoints. Many societal issues have been solved using sociological ideas.

The steps below will help a beginner prepare for UPSC Sociology:

Step 1. Develop a genuine interest in the subject.

The most crucial component of UPSC optional preparation is this. You must devote a significant amount of time to your optional subject. It would be tough unless you ‘feel like’ studying the subject topic. At first, don’t read any theoretical aspects. With an open mind, read NCERT Class 12th.

Step 2. Analyse the syllabus and previous year questions.

It is critical to understand what you must learn. It’s more crucial to understand what you don’t need to learn. The syllabus is crucial. MEMORIZE the syllabus subjects if at all feasible. Relate the Paper 1 and Paper 2 topics. Make a curriculum mind map. 

Step 3: First reading of related materials for UPSC Sociology.

Do not make notes during the first reading.  Do not jot down anything. When you read it, try to absorb the concept. Relate them to current events. If you work in the IT industry, for example, connect it to Marx’s concept of alienation. Some of the terminology referenced in the preceding sources may be difficult to define. You may also discover that several sections from the syllabus have been left out.

Step 4: Second reading and note making.

Make notes on A4 paper and file them in a ring binder. When you add value to these themes in the future, simply place the A4 sheet in its proper location in the file. As a result, all of a topic’s notes would be in one spot, making it simple to review in the days leading up to the exam. Get yourself a copy of the Oxford Dictionary of Sociology. It will assist you in better understanding sociological terms.

Step 5: Value addition and filling the gaps.

Make notes on your A4 page during the first reading and file them in the appropriate location in the ring binder file. Further reading may not be necessary once you’ve taken notes from these sources. It’s now time to fill in the gaps in the information and expand on what’s currently there.

Step 6: Focus on current affairs, Budget, Economic survey, reports, government schemes etc.

Current events are likewise quite dynamic in nature because they change all the time. Current affairs is a component that is included in every competitive test because of its importance and dynamic character. Some of the best resources to prepare for current affairs are listed below.

• Newspapers– The Hindu, The Indian Express, etc.
• Monthly Current Affairs Magazine– Pratiyogita Darpan, Civil Services Times, Yojana, Niti Aayog reports, Economic and Political Weekly (for some topics only), World Focus year-end issue only, etc.
• Internet- There are a lot of available resources on the internet which you may follow.
• All India Radio

Step 7:  Evaluate yourself.

Self-evaluation is a method of assessing one’s own performance by applying clear criteria to evaluate and appraise work against a set of agreed-upon criteria. Evaluating oneself is like to taking a step forward in your mental development. You discover your strengths and weaknesses when you assess yourself as a person. Finding your flaws, admitting them, and then working on them are all that is required to move forward in life.

Benefits of choosing Sociology optional?

Sociology is a natural outgrowth of our everyday understanding of social life. As a student, he or she is related to society in some way, so he or she has a fundamental awareness of it. Sociology is a really useful option. It not only helps you achieve good grades on optional papers, but it also aids in the production of essays and improves your writing skills.

Benefits of Choosing Sociology as your Optional Subject are: –

1. Shorter Syllabus: Sociology has a more condensed curriculum. It’s simple to comprehend and performs well. It’s a social science that’s particularly popular among humanities students. Even pupils with no prior knowledge of science can do it safely because it is simple to understand.

2. Subject Credibility: You will never get a bad grade in this subject. Regardless of whether you have completed the syllabus, you can easily make responses from a general viewpoint point of view, which will help you to score marks, as opposed to other courses where you may receive a zero in your answers.
3. Benefit in Essay: Sociology also helps you develop a generalised theory on each issue, which means you’ll get better grades in essays.
4. Effectiveness of Sociology Optional in UPSC: Sociology is a really useful option. It not only helps you achieve good grades on optional papers, but it also aids in the production of essays and improves your writing skills.
5. Sociology can also aid with general studies: Being a generalist topic, it aids in the completion of all four General Studies papers.
6. Sociology’s UPSC success rate is high: The success rate fluctuates, with between 85 and 240 individuals being chosen. This ratio, however, should not be overlooked because many candidates score well in their optional but are unable to pass the Mains due to poor performance in their GS papers.
7. Sociology is a safer optional: Sociology is a safer option because it does not require any specific knowledge or academic background in order to be prepared as an optional. Many times, it has been demonstrated that candidates with no prior understanding of sociology performed well in their optional paper.
8. Other Benefits

• Improve your interview and public speaking skills at various levels.
• Theoretical questions are frequently asked. As a result, there’s no need to be concerned about being surprised throughout the exam.
• No prior knowledge of sociology is required.
• It’s fascinating, especially if social issues are important to you. It aids in the comprehension of society and its many layers and functions.
• Study materials are easily accessible.
• It assists with the essay paper, as at least one essay on social problems is usually required. It will also assist you during the interview process. The ethics paper benefits from sociology as well.
• There is some overlap with Paper I of General Studies.