Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Foundations of Sociology
Chapter 2: Classical Theories: Durkheim, Marx & Weber
Chapter 3: Contemporary Theories and Approaches
Chapter 4: Sociological Concepts: Social Structure, Culture, Network, Roles, Identity
Chapter 5: Social Institutions: Marriage, Family & Kinship; Economy; Polity; Religion; Education; Law & Customs
Chapter 6: Social Stratification: Caste, Class, Gender, Race, Ethnicity, Disability
Chapter 7: Social Change: Evolution and Diffusion; Modernization; Globalization; Sanskritization; Educational & Occupational Change
Chapter 8: Rural & Peasant Society; Caste-Tribe Distinction and Continuum
Chapter 9: Agrarian Social Structure: Emergent Class Relations; Land Ownership & Agrarian Relations; De-Peasantization
Chapter 10: Social Movements: Typology, Theories & Examples (Chipko, Jungle Bachao, Dam Movements); Participatory Development
Chapter 11: Colonial & Nationalist Sociology; Indological Perspectives
Chapter 12: Caste, Class, Gender & Social Inequality in India; Dalit Feminism & Subaltern Studies

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology)?

The Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) syllabus has 12 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official GATE portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Humanities and Social Sciences (Sociology) study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.