Thinkers - Abraham Morgan

2. Sociology : Themes and Perspectives - Haralambos | Buy Online

3. IGNOU material
4. Modernization of Indian Tradition - Y. Singh | Buy Online
5. Social change and stratification - Y. Singh
6. Social change in Modern India - M.N. Sriniwas | Buy Online
7. Social Background of Indian Nationalism - A. R. Desai | Buy Online
8. Household Dimensions of the Family - A. M. Shah
9. A Hand book of Sociology - Veena Das | Buy OnlineSociology
BY IAS PLANNER
1st paper is commonly known as Thinkers paper. There are six thinkers namely Kar
l
Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, Talcott Parsons, R.K. Merton and Mead
1. Sociological Theory by Ritzer :must be read 3-4 times to get a solid hold on
thinkers.
2. IGNOU BA: for first 3 chapters in paper one.
3. Collins Sociology Theme & Perspective by Harlambos & Holborne for rest of th
e
topics in paper one.
4. IGNOU BA & MA: for most topics in paper two.
5. Modernization of indian tradition by Yogendra Singh one cursory read is enou
g
h.
6. Handbook of sociology by Veena Das few selected topics.
BY CHAKRESH MISHRA IAS
Shri. Upendra Gaurs class notes
Sociology-Tom Bottomore
Sociology-Michael Haralambos
Classical Sociological Theory-George Ritzer
Tribal India-Nadeem Hasnain
Modernization of Indian Tradition-Yogendra Singh
Changing India-Robert Stern
A few tips:
1. Refer to IGNOU notes for the new topics introduced in Paper II
2. Make sure you mention case studies in Paper II answers
3. Make good notes on topics like ethnicity, religion, caste, environment, women
s
movement, tribal movement, political parties,
pressure groups, judiciary, etc. which are common to Political Science, Sociolog
y, GS or Essay as itll help you to optimize your preparation.
5. Read the questions carefully in both optionals before answering. More often t
han not the second part of the questions would require a bit of
original thinking beyond what you may have prepared.
BY ADITI IAS
SOCIOLOGY BOOKS FOR IAS
Sociology is unlike Public Administration in the sense it needs a holistic under
standing and is not to be read linearly
which is true of Pub Ad to some extent. The same holds true for Sociology books
. They are not to be read in a sequence,
do not cover entire topics entirely but are to be read nevertheless. Actually So
ciology books are such that you need to scourge for content
from many books to frame the right perspective for a given topic.
Sociology Paper 1 Books
Sociology- Themes and Perspectives by Haralambos and Heald
The most definitive and must read book for Paper 1. In fact to understand whats
S
ociology is all about read Haralambos.
This book touches upon all aspects of paper 1 be that family, marriage, kinship
, stratification, power, economic system etc.

In the old Prelims syllabus nearly 20-25 questions were asked from this book alo
ne. Even in mains this book is indispensable.
The biggest plus point about Sociology Themes and Perspectives is its language.
Simple, easy to understand, comprehensive.
It also contains relevant case studies of different social systems and phenomena
that should be quoted in the IAS mains to score well.
Sociology by T.B Bottomore
One of the Sociology classics, Bottomore explains the evolution of Sociology in
this short book and delves into other areas of Sociology.
Upendra Gour, the renowned coach for Sociology in Delhi recommends to read the
first eighty pages of this book.
Although not a must read book for sociology it will surely expand your horizons.
Sociological Thought by Abraham and Morgan
As you might be aware Sociology paper 1 is usually more scoring than Paper 2 as
the paper 1 syllabus is quite manageable compared to the latter.
Apart from this the section on Sociological Thinkers is most important from Main
s point of view.
Two 60 mark questions are almost always asked from this unit and if you master
it youre on your way to some pretty good marks in the first paper.
Thats why I recommend Sociological Thought which covers all the thinkers mention
e
d in this unit like Karl Marx, Max Weber, Durkheim, and RK Merton.
It even covers other thinkers like Vilfredo Pareto, Auguste Comte, and Herbert S
pencer so you can tackle some sections of the first and second unit as well.
Sociological Thought is a must read for paper 1.
Methodology and Techniques of Social Research by Jaspal Singh
Unit 3 of Sociology syllabus is about Research Methods and Analysis. Many studen
ts tend to skip this section altogether
in their preparation as they dont consider it that important from the Mains view
p
oint. But given UPSCs fickle nature they could ask more than one question
from this unit. To plug this hole you should read Methodology and Techniques by
Jaspal Singh.
Methodology and Techniques explains the basics and details of various research m
ethodologies used by social researchers as well as techniques of
data collection and sampling methods. A good book to tackle the unit 3 syllabus
.
How to cover the other units of Paper 1?
The topics like Systems of Kinship, Religion and Society, Works and Economic Lif
e dont require dedicated book rather they they are based on
the works of social thinkers. So first understand their work in depth and then
combine this understanding with topics and social studies from Haralambos
to frame your answers. Also prepare your own clippings of social surveys if you
come across them in magazines or The Hindu to make your answers stand out.
Sociology Paper 2 Books
For paper 2 i will recommend just a few books not because they cover the entire
syllabus but because no amount of books will cover the syllabus in
its entirety.
Caste in Modern India and other essays by M.N Srinivas
The most striking reality of India is not class but caste and M.N Srinivas, one
of the foremost Indian Sociologists, explains the caste system from
the structural-functionalist perspective in a language that is very easy to com
prehend. The book it self is quite short and can be read in just 3 days
from start to finish. Caste in Modern India also contains social research conduc
ted among the Coorgs by Srinivas and is very relevant for answering
questions in Paper 2.
Recommended reading: Caste and its 20th Century Avatar by M.N Srinivas to unders
tand how the caste structure and equations has changed over the years.
Social Change in Modern India by M.N Srinivas
Social change is another important focus of the Sociology syllabus. After all no

society, however rigid, is completely statics and change in different

degrees modifies it in myriad ways. To understand the changes taking place in I
ndian society right from the British period M.N Srivivas has written this
very short and readable book. Through this book Srinivas refutes Louis Dumonts
t
heory of a static and unchanging India. A recommended book for Sociology
mains paper.
Social Stratification by Dipankar Gupta
Dipankar Gupta is an eminent Sociologist who teaches at JNU, New Delhi. Although
Social Stratification wasnt very useful for the old syllabus prior
to 2008, its one of the most useful and important books for Paper 2 revised syl
l
abus. This book edited by Gupta contains important case studies of
various social thinkers that are of direct relevance to Paper 2. As you might k
now case studies have to be quoted in the second paper to score well.
In other words theory needs to be backed with figures and facts in sociology. M
ere fluff doesnt work.
From Louis Dumont to Andre Beteille, Marxist viewpoint to Functionalist, Social
Stratification covers all. A must read.
IGNOU Notes
I can go on about sociology books but the fact is the above books are enough to
cover the meat of the syllabus. For rest of the syllabus
instead of referring individual books go through the IGNOU notes that covers th
e remaining paper 2 syllabus adequately.
BY VIMALAKASH IAS KRACKER