The Optional subjects are the essential factor of the UPSC IAS Exam. It plays a crucial role in deciding the rank of candidates in IAS Exam. The Sociology optional finds its place in the list of 48 subjects provided by UPSC. The optional paper is a part of the Mains examination which holds 9 subjective papers.Â
UPSC Sociology Optional BooksÂ
Sociology has turned out as a vital part of general studies paper as well as an optional paper in civil services mains examination. Being one of the easiest optional subjects, many aspirants take Sociology yearly as their optional for UPSC Mains Exam. The syllabus of sociology optional subject for IAS exam can be tackled if approached with right strategies.
Like, other optional subjects sociology has two papers. Paper I of Sociology deals with the fundamentals of Sociology where Paper-II of Sociology optional deals with the Indian society, its structure, and change.
Here we are giving the important books for Paper I and Paper II of sociology optional for UPSC IAS Mains.
Sociology Optional Books for Paper-I
The table below gives the names of books which can be referred by the IAS aspirants to cover the Sociology syllabus:
| Sociology Optional Books (Paper-I) |
| Sociology – Anthony Giddens |
| Sociological Theory – Ritzer George |
| Sociology – Haralambos & Holborn |
| Oxford Dictionary Of Sociology |
| Sociological Thought – M Francis Abraham and John Henry Morgan |
| Political Theory – O P Gauba |
If you are targeting UPSC 2023, you may like to check the linked article.Â
Sociology Optional Books for Paper-II
The table below gives the names of books that can be referred by the IAS aspirants to cover the Sociology syllabus:
| Sociology Optional Books (Paper-II) |
| Social Change in India – M N Srinivas |
| Caste Its Twentieth Century Avatar – M N Srinivas |
| Handbook of Indian Sociology – Veena Das |
| Indian Society and Culture – Nadeem Hasnain |
| Modernization of Indian Tradition – Yogendra Singh |
| Persistence and Change in Tribal India – M.V. Rao |
| Rural Sociology – S L Doshi |
| Social Background of Indian Nationalism – A R Desai |
UPSC Sociology Optional Booklist: –Download PDF Here
You can also check the articles relevant to UPSC Sociology Syllabus and also IAS exam preparation in the table below:
Plz give the book list for upsc
Hi
You can refer to below-mentioned links:
1. NCERT Books PDF for UPSC
2. UPSC Books
Plz give the list of books for prelims
Check UPSC Books for preparation in the linked article.
the books which you mention in your lists, is it necessary that for exam preparation, you have to read all books or we have to choose it?
Hi Soumya
No, it isn’t necessary to read all books from cover to cover. The main aim is to complete the syllabus, hence, you are required to refer to the books for different topics whenever and wherever required.
please suggest main preferable book for
mains optional law
UPSC Law Optional Booklist
Please suggest me about optional subject. With out any background knowledge is it correct to choose Sociology as optional?
Yes, one can choose any optional subject of his/her choice. You can get an idea about the best optional for IAS exam here.
Respected sir, kindly suggest me the best book for sociology optional. If possible please tell me the name, author, publication of the book.
UPSC Sociology Optional Books
I am going to start my graduation from 2021 and I want to start my preparation for UPSC from now. Till 12th I was a medical student but now I changed my stream from medical to arts. How could I prepare from now and suggest some best books which I should study along with my graduation.
Hi
1. Understand UPSC Syllabus
2. Start with NCERTs and complement with daily newspaper.
3. Refer to UPSC previous years’ question papers.
4. Read Rajiv Ahir’s Brief of Modern History, M. Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity for GS 1 and 2 respectively.
5. Revise often.
6. Take mock tests periodically.