Indian Society UPSC Syllabus – Society Syllabus for UPSC
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
Indian Society UPSC Syllabus covers a wide range of topics such as population, poverty, urbanization, communalism, secularism, regionalism, etc. Social Issues/ Indian society find its relevance under the GS-I Paper in the Mains syllabus. However, MCQ questions are asked from the Indian Society UPSC Syllabus in the Prelims exam as well. That’s why this topic must be prepared effectively to secure good marks in both Mains and Prelims. Here we have covered the Society syllabus for UPSC Prelims and Mains to help candidates figure out the topics covered in it.
Additionally, we have mentioned preparation strategy and some highly recommended books that would help aspirants to cover the Indian Society UPSC Syllabus. Candidates preparing for the upcoming UPSC exam must be aware of the topics covered in the Indian Society syllabus for UPSC and plan out an effective strategy to prepare for it.
Table of content
- 1. Indian Society UPSC Syllabus
- 2. Indian Society UPSC Syllabus for Prelims
- 3. Indian Society UPSC Syllabus for Mains
- 4. Indian Society UPSC Syllabus for Optional Subject
- 5. Previous Year Questions from Indian Society UPSC Syllabus
- 6. Best Books for Indian Society UPSC Syllabus
- 7. Preparation Strategy for Social Issues Syllabus for UPSC
Indian Society UPSC Syllabus
Indian Society is one of the most important sections, which finds its mention in both Prelims, Mains, and UPSC Optional subjects. In the Mains General Studies-I paper, social justice & Indian society topic is included, and many objective questions have been asked about welfare schemes in Prelims. To effectively prepare for this topic, candidates need to know the complete Indian Society UPSC Syllabus. The syllabus can be covered with the help of NCERT and sociology textbooks. To cover the dynamic parts of the Indian Society Syllabus for UPSC, candidates need to keep track of current affairs.
Indian Society UPSC Syllabus for Prelims
The Prelims Syllabus is not elaborative, but UPSC has mentioned some major topics from which questions will be asked in Prelims. Candidates can find all the topics covered in the Indian Society UPSC Syllabus below. However, these topics are related to the Economy & Social Development. Hence candidates should keep a wider view while covering these topics.
- Social Development and Economic Development
- Inclusion
- Demographics
- Social Sector Initiatives
- Poverty
Indian Society UPSC Syllabus for Mains
The Indian Society is covered under the syllabus of General Studies Paper 1 in the Mains exam. Some facets are also covered under the Mains General Studies Paper 2. We have mentioned all the topics covered in the Indian Society UPSC Syllabus for Mains below.
- Salient Features of Indian Society
- Poverty and developmental issues
- Urbanization, their problems and their remedies
- Education System
- Human Resources
- Role of women’s organizations
- Government schemes related to various sectors
- Welfare schemes health, education, human resources, poverty, hunger,
- Issues & Development related to the management of social sector services relating to Health
- Role of women
- Diversity of India
- Population and associated issues
Indian Society UPSC Syllabus for Optional Subject
Candidates must know that there is no subject to Indian Society, however, there is a sociology subject that covers fragments of Indian Society. Candidates opting for sociology as their optional subject will find some topics related to Indian Society/Social Issues. We have provided the Indian Society topics covered in UPSC Sociology Optional Syllabus
- Politics and Society:
- Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society:
- Population Dynamics
- Challenges of Social Transformation
- Social Movements in Modern India
- Religion and Society
- Impact of colonial rule on Indian Society:
- Caste System
- Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India
- Industrialization and Urbanisation in India
- Politics and Society
- Social Classes in India
Previous Year Questions from Indian Society UPSC Syllabus
Every year, several questions have been asked from the Society syllabus in both UPSC Prelims and Mains. The questions have been related to the Caste system, Farmers’ Suicides, reservations, etc. Those who are preparing for the upcoming UPSC Exam must know the types of questions asked from the Indian Society UPSC Syllabus and their difficulty level. It is advised to go through the previous year’s Indian Society questions and plan your preparation accordingly.
Check: Indian Society Previous Year’s Questions UPSC Mains
Best Books for Indian Society UPSC Syllabus
Candidates need to have the best study material and Books to strengthen their preparation. Below we have mentioned some of the best study materials and books that would help the candidates prepare for the Indian Society UPSC Syllabus.
- Social Problems in India – Ram Ahuja
- UPSC: Civil Services Main – Indian Society (A General Overview) – B. Ramaswamy
- NCERT Sociology NCERT Class XI – Understanding Society
- NCERT Sociology NCERT Class XII – Indian Society, Social Change, and Development in India.
- Magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra
- The Hindu or The Indian Express
Preparation Strategy for Social Issues Syllabus for UPSC
Let’s discuss a simple yet effective preparation strategy that would help aspirants to cover the topics in the Indian Society UPSC Syllabus below.
- Start with Class XI and XII sociology NCERTs for a conceptual understanding of this topic. Read the NCERT at least twice to build a strong foundation.
- Welfare schemes are a major part of this topic, so the dependency on current affairs is significant. So make current affairs notes and all the trending news.
- There is so much to remember, and it can get overwhelming as well. Keep revising your notes for maximum concept retention.
- Go through UPSC Previous Year Question Papers, and practice answer writing that will help you identify the types of questions asked on this topic.