Recommended Books for the Sociology Optional for Civil Services Examination (UPSC)

Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC is the most prestigious exam in the country. Every year, lakhs of candidates appear in the exam but only a very few fortunate ones finally make it to that coveted list.

If you are also planning to prepare for UPSC, make sure that you have thought and planned about it carefully and strategically.

Some most important things required for UPSC preparation are:

1. Self-Confidence
2. Right Guidance

• Right Optional Subject

1. A Good Mentor
2. An Appropriate Booklist for UPSC
3. A Good Strategy

In this article, we will discuss about some of the most important and relevant Sociology Optional Booklist (UPSC). Sociology, just like other optional subjects, is also divided into 2 papers. Paper I consists primarily of western ideas, concepts and theories, while the Paper II is all about Indian sociology. Joining a coaching institute can be very helpful as sociology is a scoring subject. “Aditya Mongra Sir’s sociology optional class” is the “best coaching in Delhi for sociology optional“.

Book List for Paper I:

Paper I: Fundamentals of Sociology 

1. Sociology – The Discipline:

(a) Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of sociology

References:

Chapter: 1; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

Chapter: 5; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(b) Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences

References:

Chapter: 2; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(c) Sociology and common sense

References:

Chapter: 1; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

2. Sociology as Science:

(a) Science, scientific method and critique

References:

Chapter: 3; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(b) Major theoretical strands of research methodology

References:

Chapter: 3; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(c) Positivism and its critique

References:

Chapter: 3; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(d) Fact value and objectivity

References:

Chapter: 3; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(e) Non- positivist methodologies

References:

Chapter: 3; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

3. Research Methods and Analysis:

(a) Qualitative and quantitative methods

References:

Chapter: 4; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(b) Techniques of data collection.

References:

Chapter: 4; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(c) Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.

References:

Chapter: 4; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

4. Sociological Thinkers:

(a) Karl Marx: Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle

References:

Chapter: 6; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. (b) Emile Durkheim: Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society

References:

Chapter: 7; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(c) Max Weber: Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism

References:

Chapter: 8; Book: Introduction to Sociology: Concepts and Theories;

Author: Brij Mohan; Publisher: Routledge (2022)

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

(d) Talcott Parsons: Social system, pattern variables

References:

Booklet: PI T4 (Talcott Parsons) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

Or

Other References:

1. Book: The Structure of Sociological Theory (7^th Edition)

Author: Jonathan H. Turner; Publisher: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning (2003)

2. Book: The New Blackwell Companion to Social Theory

Author: Bryan S. Turner; Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (2016)

3. Book: Social Theory

    Author: Paul Ransome; Publisher: Rawat Publications (2011)

4. Book: Sociological Theory

    Author(s): Bert N. Adams and R. A. Sydie; Publisher: Sage Publications (2016)

(e) Robert K. Merton: Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups

References:

Booklet: PI T4 (Robert K. Merton) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

Or

Other References:

1. Book: Social Theory and Social Structure

Author: R.K. Merton; Publisher: Free Press (1949)

2. Book: Sociological Theory

    Author(s): Bert N. Adams and R. A. Sydie; Publisher: Sage Publications (2016)

(f) Mead: Self and identity

References:

Booklet: PI T4 (G.H. Mead) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes for value addition. 

Or

Other References:

1. Book: Masters of Sociological Thought (2^nd Edition)

Author: Lewis A. Coser; Publisher: Rawat Publications (2008)

2. Book: Contemporary Sociological Theory: Expanding the Classical Tradition

    (6^th Edition); Author(s): Ruth A. Wallace and Alison Wolf; Publisher: PHI Learning   

    (2006)

5. Stratification and Mobility:

(a) Concepts: equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation
(b) Theories of social stratification: Structural-functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory
(c) Dimensions: Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.
(d) Social mobility: open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility

Important:

I strongly suggest that candidates preparing for Civil Services Examination must follow Theme-based Approach whereby one should identify the major theme that underlies a given topic and runs through several other related sub-topics in both Paper I and Paper II. I often tell civil services aspirants to prepare the sociology syllabus in a wholesome manner.

In other words, one should prepare both Paper I and Paper II in an integrated manner. In Paper I, which is mainly about western sociology, candidates must try to quote example from Indian context. Similarly, in Paper II, which is basically about Indian sociology, candidates must try to substantiate their answers with the help of theoretical arguments from Paper I. Thus, the strategy to score better in Civil Services Examination with Sociology optional is to Indianize Paper I and Westernize Paper II.

Thus, following a theme-based approach you would not only realize the depth of understanding that is expected from candidates at this examination but it would also keep you focused throughout your preparation. Please note that the theme-based approach would help you develop Mental Framework of the entire syllabus. Further, once you are confident that you have understood the broader dimensions of the theme then it would also resist your temptation to collect more and more study material on the same topic. Thus, saving you both time as well as energy. You will learn this art as we proceed with the syllabus in the Foundation Course.

Hence, while preparing the topic on Stratification and Mobility, candidates must also prepare related topics from Paper II at the same time. This would facilitate better conceptual understanding and interlinking which would further enhance sociological articulation while writings answers in the Mains Examination.

Related Topics on the Theme of Social Stratification from Paper II are as follows:

Dear Candidate, as per theme-based approach, please try to link the topics of Paper I with those of Paper II. This will not only facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the given topic but also enhance your analytical and articulation skills.

Paper I. Topic 5. Stratification and Mobility.

Paper II. C. (vii). (b) Poverty, Deprivation and Inequalities.

(Refer Class Notes and Handouts) 

Paper II. A. (i). Perspectives on the study of Indian society

(a) Indology (G.S. Ghurye)

(b) Structural-Functionalism (M.N. Srinivas)

(c) Marxist Sociology (A.R. Desai)

Paper II. B. (ii). Caste System

(a) Perspectives on the study of caste system:

G.S. Ghurye, M.N. Srinivas, Louis Dumont and Andre Beteille

(b) Features of caste system

(c) Untouchability – forms and perspectives

Paper II. B. (i). Rural and Agrarian Social Structure

(a) The idea of Indian village and village studies

(b) Agrarian social structure – evolution of land tenure system, land reforms

Paper II.C.(ii). (b) Green Revolution and social change

Paper II.C.(ii). (c) Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture

Paper II.C.(ii). (d) Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration

Paper II. C. (vii). (d) Caste conflicts

(Refer Class Notes and Handouts)

Paper II. B. (iv). Social Classes in India

(a) Agrarian class structure

(b) Industrial class structure

(c) Middle classes in India

(Refer Class Notes and Handouts)

Note: The topic of Gender is covered in the booklet PI T9 Systems of Kinship.

References:

Booklet: PI T5 (Stratification and Mobility) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes and Handouts for value addition. 

Or

Other References:

1. Book: Sociology: Themes and Perspectives (Orange Colour Book: Chapter 2); Author(s): M. Haralambos and R M Heald; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2006)
2. Book: Social Stratification; Author: Dipankar Gupta; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2011)
3. Book: Handbook of Indian Sociology;

            Author: Veena Das; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2009)

4. Book: Themes in Social Stratification and Mobility;

Author(s): Ishwar Modi, B.K. Nagla and Arvind Kumar Agrawal; Publisher: Rawat Publications (2009)

5. Book: Understanding Inequalities: Stratification & Difference; Author: Lucinda Platt; Publisher: Polity Press (2011)
6. Book: Race and Ethnicity: The Basics; Author(s): Peter Kivisto and Paul R. Croll; Publisher: Routledge (2012)

6. Works and Economic Life:

(a) Social organization of work in different types of society: slave society, feudal society, industrial/capitalist society
(b) Formal and informal organization of work
(c) Labour and society

>> DOWNLOAD the Best Books for Sociology Optional for UPSC by Toppers

Related Topics on the Theme of Works and Economic Life from Paper II are as follows:

Paper II. C. (iii). Industrialisation and Urbanisation in India

References:

Booklet: PI T6 (Works and Economic Life) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes and Handouts for value addition. 

Or

Other References:

1. Book: Sociology: Themes and Perspectives (Orange Colour Book: Chapter 6 and 7); Author(s): M. Haralambos and R M Heald; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2006)
2. Book: Sociology (6^th Edition; Chapter: 20); Author(s): Anthony Giddens and Philip W. Sutton; Publisher: Polity Press (2009)
3. Book: Industry, Labour and Society; Author: Sharit K. Bhowmik; Publisher: Orient Blackswan (2012)
4. Book: Handbook of Indian Sociology;

            Author: Veena Das; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2009)

7. Politics and Society:

(a) Sociological theories of power
(b) Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties
(c) Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology
(d) Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution

Related Topics on the Theme of Politics and Society from Paper II are as follows:

Paper II. C. (iv). Politics and Society

Paper II. C. (v). Social Movements in Modern India

References:

Booklet: PI T7 (Politics and Society) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes and Handouts for value addition. 

Or 

Other References:

1. Book: Sociology: Themes and Perspectives (Orange Colour Book: Chapter 3); Author(s): M. Haralambos and R M Heald; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2006)
2. Book: Political Theory: An Introduction;

Author(s): Rajeev Bhargava and Ashok Acharya; Publisher: Dorling Kindersley (2008)

3. Book: The Success of India’s Democracy;

Author: Atul Kohli; Publisher: Cambridge University Press (2011)

4. Book: Contemporary India: Economy, Society, Politics;

Author(s): Neera Chandhoke and Praveen Priyadarshi; Publisher: Dorling Kindersley (2009)

5. Book: Political Sociology; Author: Satyabrata Chakraborty; Publisher: Macmillan (2005)

6. Book: Readings in Indian Sociology: Volume 8: Political Sociology of India;

Author: Anand Kumar; Publisher: Sage Publications (2014)

7. Book: Social Movements in India: Studies in Peasant, Backward Classes, Sectarian, Tribal and Women’s Movements; Author: M.S.A. Rao; Publisher: Manohar (2002)
8. Book: Social Movements and the State: Readings in Indian Government and Politics – 4; Author: Ghanshyam Shah; Publisher: Sage Publications (2011)

9. Book: Studies in Indian Sociology (Volume 6): Sociology of Social Movement; Author: D.R. Sahu; Publisher: Sage Publications (2012)
10. Book: Handbook of Indian Sociology; Author: Veena Das; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2009) 

8. Religion and Society:

(a) Sociological theories of religion
(b) Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults
(c) Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism

Related Topics on the Theme of Religion and Society from Paper II are as follows:

Paper II. B. (vi). Religion and Society

Paper II. C. (iv). (d) Secularization

Paper II. C. (v). (e) Ethnicity and Identity Movements

DOWNLOAD BEST BOOKS FOR SOCIOLOGY OPTIONAL UPSC BY TOPPERS

References:

Booklet: PI T8 (Religion and Society) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes and Handouts for value addition.  

Or

Other References:

1. Book: Sociology: Themes and Perspectives (Orange Colour Book: Chapter 11); Author(s): M. Haralambos and R M Heald; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2006)
2. Book: Sociology (8^th Edition; Chapter: 17); Author(s): Anthony Giddens and Philip W. Sutton; Publisher: Wiley (2017)
3. Book: Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion (8^th Edition);

Author: Ronald L. Johnstone; Publisher: PHI Learning (2007)

4. Book: Sociology of Religion (5^th Edition); Author: Meredith B. McGuire; Publisher: Rawat Publications (2012)
5. Book: Handbook of Indian Sociology; Author: Veena Das; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2009)

9. Systems of Kinship:

(a) Family, household, marriage
(b) Types and forms of family
(c) Lineage and descent
(d) Patriarchy and sexual division of labour
(e) Contemporary trends

Related Topics on the Theme of Systems of Kinship from Paper II are as follows:

Paper I. 5. (c) Gender

Paper II. B. (v). Systems of Kinship in India

Paper II. C. (v). (b) Women’s Movement

Paper II. C. (vii). (c) Violence against women

References:

Booklet: PI T9 (Systems of Kinship) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes and Handouts for value addition. 

Or

Other References:

1. Book: Sociology: Themes and Perspectives (Orange Colour Book: Chapter 8 and 9); Author(s): M. Haralambos and R M Heald; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2006)
2. Book: The Family in India: Critical Essays;

Author: A.M. Shah; Publisher: Orient Longman (1998)

3. Book: An Introduction to Social Anthropology (2^nd Edition);

Author: Lucy Mair; Publisher: Oxford University Press (1984)

4. Book: An Introduction to Social Anthropology;

Author: D.N. Majumdar and T.N. Madan; Publisher: Mayoor Paperbacks (2002)

5. Book: Handbook of Indian Sociology; Author: Veena Das; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2009)

10. Social Change in Modern Society:

(a) Sociological theories of social change
(b) Development and dependency
(c) Agents of social change
(d) Education and social change
(e) Science, technology and social change

References:

Booklet: PI T10 (Social Change in Modern Society) from Sociology Postal Course

Please also refer Class Notes and Handouts for value addition. 

Or

Other References:

1. Book: Sociology: Themes and Perspectives (Orange Colour Book: Chapter 5); Author(s): M. Haralambos and R M Heald; Publisher: Oxford University Press (2006)
2. Book: Sociology (6^th Edition);

Author: Paul B. Horton and Chester L. Hunt; Publisher: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company (2004)

3. Book: Sociology: A Systematic Introduction;

Author: Harry M. Johnson; Publisher: Allied Publishers (2007)

4. Book: Introduction to the Sociology of Development (2^nd Edition);

Author: Andrew Webster; Publisher: Humanities Press International (1991)

Book List for Paper II:

Paper II: Indian Society: Structure and Change

Since no single book can be suggested that covers the entire syllabus comprehensively as per the demand of the nature of Civil Services Examination, a list of the important books has been provided for the reference:

Beteille, Andre. Caste, Class and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in A Tanjore Village. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Beteille, Andre. The idea of natural inequality and other essays. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2011.

Bose, Ashish. India’s Quest for Population Stabilisation. New Delhi: National Book Trust, 2010.

Chakraborty, Satyabrata, ed. Political Sociology. New Delhi: Macmillan India Ltd., 2005.

Das, Veena, ed. Handbook of Indian Sociology. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Desai, A.R. Social Background of Indian Nationalism. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan Pvt Ltd., 2008.

Dreze, Jean and Amartya Sen. India Development and Participation. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Ghurye, G. S. Caste and Race in India. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., 2011.

Gupta, Dipankar, ed. Social Stratification. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2011.

Haq, Ehsanul. Sociology of Population in India. New Delhi: Macmillan India Ltd., 2007.

Jodhka, Surinder S and Aseem Prakash. The Indian Middle Class. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2016.

Kumar, Anand, ed. Readings in Indian Sociology: Volume 8: Political Sociology of India. New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt ltd, 2014.

Kumar. Vivek. Caste and Democracy in India: A Perspective From Below. New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House, 2014.

Majumdar, D.N. and T.N. Madan. An Introduction to Social Anthropology. Noida: Mayoor Paperbacks, 2002.

Nagla, B.K. Indian Sociological Thought. Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2008.

Rao, M.S.A., ed. Social Movements in India: Studies in Peasant, Backward Classes, Sectarian, Tribal and Women’s Movements. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, 2002.

Sahu, D.R, ed. Studies in Indian Sociology (Volume 6): Sociology of Social Movement. New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd., 2012.

Shah, A.M. The Family in India: Critical Essays. New Delhi: Orient Longman Limited, 1998.

Shah, Ghanshyam, ed. Social Movements and the State: Readings in Indian Government and Politics – 4. New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd., 2011.

Sharma, K.L. Indian Social Structure and Change. Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2014.

Sharma, K.L. Social Inequality in India: Profiles of Caste, Class and Social Mobility. Revised 2^nd Edition. Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2012.

Singh, Yogendra. Modernization of Indian Tradition. Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2018.

Somayaji, Sakarama and Sushmita Dasgupta, eds. Sociology of Displacement: Policies and Practice. Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2013.

Srinivas, M.N., A.M. Shah, E.A. Ramaswamy, eds. The Fieldworker and the Field: Problems and Challenges in Sociological Investigation. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Srinivas, M.N. Collected Essays. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Srinivas, M. N, ed. Caste: Its Twentieth Century Avatar. New Delhi: Penguin Books India (P) Ltd., 1997.

Srinivas, M.N. Social Change in Modern India. New Delhi: Orient Longman Private limited, 2003.

Stern, Robert W. Changing India. 2^nd Edition. Cambridge: The Press Syndicate, 2003.

Teltumbde, Anand. Dalits: Past, present And Future. New York: Routledge, 2017.

Thorat, Sukhadeo. Dalits in India: Search for a Common Destiny. New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd, 2009.

For comprehensive coverage of the syllabus, subscribe our Postal Course.

Postal Course (Edition: January 2022)

The entire Study Material for Paper-I and Paper-II is available in Hard Copy covering almost the entire syllabus. Paper-II notes primarily consist of important chapters and articles from various textbooks and journals.

Knowledge from books when added with the notes of a good teacher will be like a cherry on the cake for which you can refer to Aditya Mongra Sir who is the best faculty for the sociology optional for UPSC.

Thus, the book list shared in this article is the “best sociology booklist for IAS preparation”, one can complement it with class notes of UPSC sociology faculty to make it more comprehensive. If you are planning to join a coaching, then, you must go for Aditya Mongra Sir’s sociology optional class, he also provides sociology optional online coaching and if you are not willing to join coaching then you can go for his sociology optional postal course.

Along with the booklist for sociology and notes test series is also very important you can join the sociology test series Aditya mongra both online as well as offline.

Sociology by Aditya Mongra

We Don’t Just Teach Sociology,

We Also Train You To Think Sociologically

UPSC Sociology Courses

• Foundation Course
• Test Series
• Postal Course

For Regular Updates:

Visit Our Website: www.sociologybyadityamongra.com

Like Our Facebook Page: Sociology by Aditya Mongra

Join to Our Telegram Channel: https://t.me/sociologybyadityamongra

For Counselling and Admission

Contact: 9999663160

Email: adityadse@gmail.com

Sociology by Aditya Mongra

(in association with DIAS)

Venue: 26/3 (Basement), next to Spectrum Library,

near Madonna Hotel, Old Rajendra Nagar,

New Delhi-110060

Get the best you can…..Give the best you have…..