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(a) In what ways do class and caste intersect and overlap in shaping social structure? (b) Critically examine the position of women in the informal economy. (c) Discuss the role of geographical factors in social change and development. (d) Although sociology, as a subject of study, overarches all disciplines in social sciences yet it maintains its distinctiveness. Comment. (e) Explain in brief the relationship between social movement, collective action and revolution in bringing about social and political changes.

(a) Elaborate major sociological theories of power. How do power elite shape the political process in modern societies? (b) Evaluate the socio-economic impacts of migration on rural households. (c) 'The methods of sociology are inadequate in understanding the complex social phenomena'. Discuss.

(a) The major challenge for sociology researchers is to analyze social reality objectively. Critically analyze. (b) Explain the concept of 'definition of the situation' and its significance in sociology. (c) In what way the concept of 'patriarchal bargain' be applied to the institution of marriage? Comment. (d) How does Max Weber's 'theory of authority' shape bureaucracy? Analyse. (e) How do different theories explain social dimensions of social movements? Discuss.

(a) How are the concepts of nation, state and citizenship interrelated in a democracy? Elaborate. (b) Critically evaluate the relevance of the cyclical theory of social change in understanding contemporary societies. (c) Discuss the significance and limitations of 'intersectionality' in social research.

(a) Compare capability deprivation approach with that of social capital deprivation in understanding chronic poverty. (b) Are pressure groups a threat to or a necessary element of democracy? Explain with suitable illustrations. (c) What is hypothesis? Critically evaluate the significance of hypothesis in social research.

(a) Give an account of the recent trends of marriage in the Indian context. How are these different from traditional practices? (b) What would you identify as the similarities and differences in the elite theories of Mosca, Michels and Pareto? Discuss their main/crucial issues. (c) Critically analyze the sociological significance of informal sector in the economy of developing societies.

(a) What is science? Do you think that the methods used in natural sciences can be applied to sociology? Give reasons for your answer. (b) What do you understand by gender-based domestic division of labour? Is it undergoing a change in the wake of increasing participation of women in formal employment? Clarify your answer with illustrations. (c) How can you assess the significance of social movements in the digital era? Explain.

(a) What do you understand by sustainable development? Discuss the elements of sustainable development as proposed in the UNDP's Sustainable Development Goals Report-2015. (b) How do 'Civil Society Organizations' such as 'NGOs' and 'Self-Help Groups' contribute to grassroot level social changes? Discuss. (c) In what way does queer kinship challenge the traditional kinship system? Substantiate by giving illustrations.

(a) Discuss the nature of Sociology. Highlight its relationship with Social Anthropology. (b) Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group. (c) Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from 'ritual' to 'commercial' in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change. (d) Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment. (e) What are the 'basic and irreducible' functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons ? Explain.

(a) Describe various characteristics of a 'social fact'. How is rate of suicide a social fact according to Durkheim? (b) Explain G.H. Mead's idea of development of 'self' through the 'generalised other'. (c) Describe the differing principles of work organization in feudal and capitalist societies. (d) How is 'power' different from 'authority' ? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber. (e) Critically examine the roles of science and technology in social change. What is your opinion on their increasing trend in 'online' education and teaching?

(a) Underline the role of social media in contemporary social movements and describe its challenges. (b) How does a multicultural society accommodate diversities of all kinds — ethnic, linguistic and religious? Discuss its major challenges. (c) Discuss the concept of animism and differentiate it from naturism.

(a) Do modernization and secularization necessarily go together? Give your views. (b) How do you understand the phenomena of the mushrooming of sects and cults in contemporary society? Discuss the factors responsible for the trend. (c) Discuss the dimensions of power in the construction and maintenance of social hierarchies in a society.

(a) Examine the relevance of corporate social responsibility in a world marked by increasing environmental crises. (b) How is civil society useful in deepening the roots of democracy? (c) What functions does religion perform in a pluralistic society? (d) Analyze critically David Morgan's views on family practices. (e) Does women's education help to eradicate patriarchal discriminations? Reflect with illustrations.

(a) Explain how economic globalization has brought changes in the patterns of employment in the 21st century. (b) Do you think that the social media has brought significant changes in the forms of protest? Argue your case. (c) Assess critically A. G. Frank's 'theory of development of underdevelopment'.

(a) Explain the emerging challenges in establishing gender equality in the informal sector. (b) Critically examine the relevance of Vilfredo Pareto's theory of Circulation of Elites in the present scenario. (c) Critically compare the views of E.B. Tylor and Max Muller on Religion. (d) What is cult? Explain the growth of cults in the contemporary world. (e) Do you think Talcott Parsons gave an adequate theory of social change? Justify your answer.

(a) Elucidate the main problems and challenges faced by the migrant labourers in the recent 'Lockdown period'. (b) Explain how political parties and pressure groups are dialectically related to each other in terms of achieving their goals. (c) Give your comments on the growth of religious revivalism in the present day context.

(a) Discuss the changing nature of kinship relations in the contemporary world. (b) Describe the role of Science and Technology in enabling us to face the challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. (c) Highlight the roles and functions of civil society in a democratic system.

(a) What are the reactions of R.K. Merton to the functionalism of social anthropologists? Bring out the limitations of latent functions. (b) How are Hierarchy and Exclusion the major impediments in the transformation of societies? Discuss. (c) Explain democracy as an order of society. What are the factors preventing people's participation in politics?

(a) Highlight the major contributions of the reform movements in pre-independent India. (b) Identify different forms of inequalities associated with agrarian social structure in India. (c) What are pressure groups? Discuss their role in decision-making in democracy.

(a) Critically analyse Parsons views on society as a social system. (b) Discuss how 'environmentalism' can be explained with new social movements approach. (c) Illustrate with examples the role of pressure groups in the formulation of social policies.