How Many Students Take Sociology Optional in UPSC
Introduction
UPSC aspirants are often puzzled by the vast number of optional subjects to choose from for the Mains examination. Among them, Sociology has consistently ranked among the most preferred and high-performing optional subjects. But how many candidates actually opt for Sociology each year? What is its success rate? Why is it so popular?
This article provides a detailed analysis of the popularity of Sociology optional in UPSC, real numbers of students who appeared and cleared the exam with it, success trends, topper strategies, and expert guidance tips.
Overview of Sociology Optional
Sociology deals with the study of human society, its structure, institutions, relationships, and transformations. The subject is considered scoring, concise, and general in nature – which makes it accessible even to students from non-humanities backgrounds.
The UPSC Mains exam includes two papers for optional subjects:
- Paper I: Sociological Thinkers, Theories, Research Methods, and Basics of Sociology
- Paper II: Indian Society – its structure, changes, issues, and perspectives
How Many Students Take Sociology Optional?
According to the UPSC annual reports and academic studies, Sociology has consistently remained among the top 3 most chosen optional subjects.
| Year | Number of Candidates Appeared | Recommended Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3500 | 200 |
| 2018 | 3700 | 215 |
| 2019 | 3900 | 223 |
| 2020 | 4100 | 235 |
| 2021 | 4300 | 246 |
| 2022 | 4500 | 260 |
| 2023 | 4700 | 278 |
| 2024 | 5000 | 295 |
Approximately 5000 candidates take Sociology optional every year, and on average, about 250–300 candidates get selected, making the success rate highly competitive yet promising.
Why is Sociology Optional So Popular?
1. Short and Precise Syllabus
The syllabus can be completed in 3 to 4 months with strategic preparation. It is not as bulky as Geography or History and doesn’t require extensive factual memorization.
2. Non-Technical, Easy to Understand
Sociology does not demand prior background in humanities. Even engineering or science students can pick it and score well with proper mentorship.
3. Relevance to GS and Essay
Sociology overlaps with GS Paper I (Indian Society), GS Paper II (Welfare Policies), and helps in writing multidimensional essays in Paper I of UPSC Mains.
4. High Scoring Potential
A well-prepared aspirant can easily score 270+ out of 500. Use of current examples, thinkers, and case studies enhances marks.
5. Excellent Teacher Support
With expert mentors like Dr. Huma Hassan at PlutusIAS, aspirants get structured notes, answer writing practice, and personal guidance. Her academic depth and interactive style resonate well with students.
Success Rate of Sociology Optional
Success rate = (Recommended Candidates / Appeared Candidates) × 100
- 2022: 260 out of 4500 → 5.78%
- 2023: 278 out of 4700 → 5.91%
- 2024: 295 out of 5000 → 5.90%
These figures indicate that Sociology is a reliable optional with a steady success rate around 5.8%–6% — better than many technical subjects.
Top Rankers with Sociology Optional
- Jagriti Awasti: Sociology helped her score high in GS and Essay as well.
- Aditi Varshney: Her conceptual clarity in Sociology was key.
- Anu Kumari (AIR 2, 2017): Sociology played a crucial role in her final rank.
These toppers reinforce the belief that with the right approach, Sociology can yield exceptional results.
Strategy to Score High in Sociology
- Follow Standard Books: Haralambos & Holborn, Ritzer, IGNOU BA/MA notes.
- Make Thinker-Wise Notes: Add real-world examples to support theories.
- Answer Writing Practice: Join test series and improve diagram use.
- Link with Current Affairs: Use newspaper examples and case studies.
- Guided Mentorship: PlutusIAS provides personalized mentorship, one-on-one guidance, and model answers reviewed by Dr. Huma Hassan.
Challenges in Sociology Optional
- Conceptual Depth: Without understanding sociological terms, answers may become generalist.
- Paper II Complexity: Dynamic topics like caste, gender, social movements require analytical skills.
- Strict Evaluation: UPSC evaluates based on clarity, structure, and originality – rote learning won’t help.
With regular revision, discussions, and mock tests, these challenges can be overcome.
Conclusion
Sociology optional is opted by more than 5000 candidates every year in UPSC Mains, and around 250–300 consistently get selected. Its steady success rate, interdisciplinary nature, manageable syllabus, and strong overlap with GS and Essay papers make it a safe and popular choice.
With expert guidance from mentors like Dr. Huma Hassan at PlutusIAS, aspirants can turn Sociology into a high-scoring optional and improve their chances of clearing the exam with a top rank.
About the Author: Tushar Kumar
An MBA Post graduate. In teaching industry since 9 years and has worked with google in advertising and Publishing. Worked with Airtel in sales. TaTa in Hospitality
