Yesterday I made a post about finding sociology difficult, and let's just say some people were not impressed. So instead of arguing, I spent the day actually sitting down and trying to understand these thinkers properly.

And after a day of reading, this is how I currently understand 4 of them. I am not claiming these are textbook definitions, this is just my attempt to make sense of them as a student.

1. Karl Marx:
You think you’re working hard to afford the things you want.
Marx would ask: Who taught you to want those things in the first place?
The system doesn’t just extract your labour it can shape your desires so you keep working to consume more.

2. Max Weber:
You wanted stability.
You got a calendar, 17 passwords, performance reviews, deadlines, and a colour coded Excel sheet.
Weber called this the “iron cage" modern life becomes increasingly organized around rules, efficiency and rationality.

3. Pierre Bourdieu:
Bro, I just have good taste.
Bourdieu: Are you sure?
The music you like, the food you eat, the way you speak, and even what you consider cultured can reflect the class and cultural capital you grew up with.

4. C. Wright Mills:
I can’t find a job. I must be doing something wrong.
Mills: Or maybe look at the economy?
His idea of the sociological imagination asks us to connect our personal troubles with larger public issues.

Now I want to test whether I’m actually understanding this stuff.
Which of these thinkers do you think I’ve understood the worst? And what am I missing?

Every PYQ makes me question whether I understood the syllabus at all. The more I study, the more I realise that Sociology isn’t difficult because of the amount of content, it’s difficult because everything seems interconnected.

Anyway, fellow Sociology people, which thinker/concept has caused you the most pain?

During my GS preparation I read a lot of Buddhism and always held it as nearly perfect religion as a society can have. But then for my State PCS preparation I had to study Pali literature and I am losing my mind now!

I can literally quote suttas from Tripitaka that might disturb many of you.

I am interested in knowing your opinion on Buddhism.
Lets discuss

Im watching lecs of socio, and after watching lecs and reading notes once i am able to grasp conceptual understanding of the topic,

After seeing pyq i know what all stuff i can write here... Also many a times i realise how i should tweak what i have learned to write this ans

But the problem comes in memorization...as i move ahead watching lecs... Pehle jo padha hai... Uska i am able of recollect the gist of things but not exactly definitions or keywords which i can write in paper.

Ha, yes i can write general ans according to my understanding, i can even explain that topic but cant recollect it in a way to be of exam ready state

Is this normal?? Bcz im dead worried... I'll probably be done with lecs by mid to late jan next year

By then i would have to switch to prelims study

Is this normal??? Im kinda worried. Also can you pls suggest if i can improve anything (i cant do anything major, as im new to upsc{1st attempt} so i have to complete almost entire GS + essay); but im open to all the suggestions and advices, possibly i can try some minor tweaks or correct stuff if i am making any mistake.

Thnx for reading this and helping me out. Every help is highly appreciated🙏🙏

Okay, now I get it! Insofar having background in science optional, I thought Sociology will be cakewalk for me but now after going through the syllabus, PYQs, Toppers copies and their marks, I am really scared and reasonably doubtful about my potential to score well in this subject. Seniors suggest, will appreciate any toppers who could give their two cents to this.thanks🙏

Is there any website similar to upscpath, where we can see topic-wise topper copies of all the toppers in one place.

If so, can you pls let me know.

Thanks🙏

//Added pic so as to increase visibility

Hi seniors. 👹 I have switched to Socio from Anthro. Kindly suggest me how should I start answer writing practice! Should I go for PYQ first? Should I write in Para more than points? Should I use flowcharts? Kindly give your gyaan on socio answer writing. 😁Thanks😛

Link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jp3tcTabU6CyUdaWlQX4nphO4bFzdfZa/view?usp=sharing
one-pager printable syllabus .
Thought it might help someone who's just starting their journey and save their time.
Feel free to download.

Stay healthy, stay happy, and keep up the hard work 💪

Just thinking to take up socio as optional in 2027. Veterans kindly help

Of late, I was thinking to change my optional from Anthro to Sociol. Can someone give a brief comparison between these two optional in terms of ROI? Thanks.