Booklist For Sociology Optional UPSC CSE Exam

25 Sep Booklist For Sociology Optional UPSC CSE Exam

This article is about the best booklist for Sociology optional UPSC CSE exam. We understand that there are a sea of books available in the market, all very good. However, reading every book for Sociology optional preparation for UPSC is not necessary. The UPSC CSE exam though has an extensive syllabus, but there are select books you need for your Sociology optional preparation. Here, we will not just cover the best book for UPSC optional Sociology but will also discuss a lot more. Do read the article till the end.

Before we start with the mentioning of the booklist for Sociology optional UPSC, we need to know the importance of the subject. There is a list of reasons why candidates with Sociology optional UPSC exam have been ever increasing. First is that the subject has topics which candidates, one way or another, have been introduced to or at least have an idea about. Most candidates find the syllabus of sociology very crisp and short. Additionally, the relevance of sociology in other papers of the UPSC CSE exam is another very important reason why students choose Sociology optional in UPSC exam.

Sociology Optional UPSC

Sociology optional UPSC though many say is easy, but it totally depends on the candidate’s sociology optional preparation for UPSC. there is no subject that the UPSC is more harsh or lenient towards. The only factor that can get you marks is whether or not the candidate has done proper sociology optional preparation for UPSC.

There are many factors that affect your Sociology optional preparation but the one factor which is the most important is having the right booklist for sociology optional UPSC. With the best book for UPSC optional sociology, you can equip yourself better for the exam.

In the two papers of Sociology Optional in UPSC carrying a total of 500 marks, it is a great marks scorer. If the candidate prepares well for the exam with the right booklist for sociology optional UPSC. There are other sources too from where the candidate brings an edge to their answers. Availing study materials like PDF notes for UPSC from reliable sources like Examophobia.com and OnlineKhanMarket is also important. You can also join the best IAS coaching in Delhi for the best preparation for Sociology optional.

In the table below, you will know the number of questions that have come in the past from each section of Sociology.

Strategy For Sociology Optional UPSC

1. Go through the syllabus. It is really important to know the syllabus thoroughly to understand the extent UPSC will be asking topics.
2. After this, get yourself the right booklist for sociology optional UPSC. For sociology optional preparation for UPSC, you will have to have the best book for upsc optional sociology.
3. Feel free to ask for help from Sociology optional teachers. In Delhi, the best teacher for sociology optional is Dr. Huma Hassan. She holds a phd degree from JNU and also holds a gold medal for academic excellence. Having many years of coaching UPSC candidates makes her the apt teacher to coach you for Sociology optional.
4. Having only the best book for UPSC optional sociology for your exam preparation is not enough. You also need PDF notes for sociology.
5. Solve previous year’s questions to get acquainted with the type of questions UPSC asks in Sociology optional.
6. For additional support, you can also learn about topics from YouTube. There are plenty of videos on sociology optional for UPSC available on the internet.

Sociology Optional Booklist – PAPER 1

The booklist for sociology optional UPSC for paper 1 comprises of:

• Haralambos and Holborn (Blue book) – Sociology Themes and Perspectives – This book is great for the clear understanding of topics. You can refer this book to cover topics like religion, society and to learn about different thinkers.
• Haralambos and Heald (Orange Book) – You can cover topics of power, politics and family from here.
• Ritzer – Sociological Theory – This book is great for additional knowledge and for notes making at an advanced level.
• Capitalism and Modern Social Theory by Anthony Giddens – Topics like works and economic life can be covered from this book.

Sociology Optional Booklist – PAPER 2

The following books are in the paper 2 of sociology optional booklist:

• Modernization of Indian Tradition by Yogendra Singh – This book can especially be referred for the first chapter of the book. You may also read the rest of the chapters for additional knowledge.
• Social change in India by M.N. Srinivas – This is one the most famous books among aspirants for sociology optional paper 2. You can cover a wide variety of topics from this.
• Rural Sociology by Doshi and Jain – To study about the society in the rural areas, this is the best book you can get yourself. A lot of notes you can extract from it.

Booklist For Sociology Optional UPSC Recommended By Toppers

• NCERT Books – If you are someone who is new to the subject of sociology, it is best that you start with the basics. There is no other best way to start your sociology journey with. The NCERT books of 11 and 12 will give you enough knowledge to have a basic understanding of topics in the UPSC, which you can advance with the books mentioned above.
• IGNOU Books – They are particularly recommended for studying western philosophers. Having a solid understanding of the subject is essential because many statements and ideologies from intellectuals appear in essays and ethics papers.
• Plutus IAS Sociology Optional UPSC Printed Book By DR. HUMA HASSAN – Talk to any serious candidate for the UPSC exam. Every UPSC serious candidate swears by it. These are handwritten notes by Dr Huma Hassan that has helped many rankers with their Sociology optional pdf notes.
• Magazines – Along with fundamental books, you must also keep up to date with the current affairs. Having knowledge of whats going on in the world will give you a broader perspective and you will improve your mains answers. Another pro tip is that the more relevant real life examples you give of the region and world, the chances of getting marks increase. Magazines – Plutus IAS, Kurukshetra & Down To Earth.
• Sociology Dictionary by Oxford / Penguin – A lot of the terms can be understood using the dictionary.
• Essential Sociology by Nitin Sangwan – This is another one of the top recommended books by the toppers.

Conclusion

Sociology optional preparation for UPSC is all about how well you can comprehend the topics and thinkers and relate them to the contemporary world. This skill can help you in your answer writing, Essay and even in Personality Test.

I hope you found the booklist for the best sociology books for UPSC useful. All these books are not enough if you do not evaluate your UPSC preparation journey. The best way to do that is to get your hand on the best test series for UPSC optional subject by Plutus IAS. Plutus IAS being the best IAS coaching institute in Delhi provides with the best support system for the UPSC exam. 

Sociology, though, is a scoring subject but having a North Star to guide you through your UPSC journey will help you with your preparation better. With Plutus IAS as your north star, your chances of cracking the exam increase threefold. Why take a chance?  Enroll to Plutus IAS now, the best UPSC coaching institute in Delhi.

tanushree munda

I am a content strategist for competitive exams like, UPSC, NEET, IIT, etc. I have a strong passion for creating content, as demonstrated by my articles. Please check out my other articles; I would appreciate any feedback you may have.