Sociology CUET UG Notes These notes are designed exactly as per CUET Sociology Syllabus for 2026 Indian Society Unit - I: Structure of Indian Society Unit - II: Social Institutions: Continuity and Change Unit - III: Social Inequality and Exclusion Unit - IV: The Challenges of Unity in Diversity Change and Development in India Unit - I: Process of Social Change in India Unit - II: Social Change and the Polity Unit - III: Social Change and the Economy Unit - IV: New Arenas of S

Social Movements Social Movements in Indian Society I. Understanding Social Movements: Nature and Classification A social movement is defined by sustained collective action directed toward specific goals, often involving demands for changes in state policy or practice. Unlike spontaneous protests, social movements require a degree of organisation , including leadership, a structure defining member relationships, and shared ideologies. They play a crucial role in shaping th

New Arenas of Social Change New Arenas of Social Change: Media and Globalisation Introduction The study of contemporary Indian society requires a deep understanding of the "new arenas" where social change is most visible and intense. These arenas are primarily defined by the dual processes of globalisation and the revolution in mass media and communications. While social change is an ongoing historical process, the late 20th and early 21st centuries have witnessed a shift i

Social Change and the Economy Social Change and the Economy: Transformation of Indian Society Introduction Economic change is a primary driver of social transformation. In India, the transition from a colonial economy to a planned developmental state and, finally, to a liberalised global market has fundamentally altered social relations. Sociologists view the market as a socially embedded institution , where economic exchange is linked to other social structures like caste,

Social Change and the Polity Social Change and the Polity Introduction The relationship between politics and social change in India is a dynamic one, where political institutions act as both drivers and reflections of societal transformation. In modern society, the establishment of democracy and nationalism has become the dominant source of political legitimacy. Sociologists and political scientists observe that while the state claims to represent the nation, it can become

Process of Social Change in India Process of Social Change in India Introduction to Social Change and Structure To understand social change in India, sociologists distinguish between social structure—the continuing arrangement of persons in relationships defined or controlled by institutions—and culture, which refers to socially established norms or patterns of behaviour. While social change is continuous and ongoing, resulting from countless individual and collective action

The Challenges of Unity in Diversity The Challenges of Unity in Diversity I. Introduction: The Concept of Cultural Diversity The term diversity emphasizes differences rather than inequalities; when we describe India as a nation of great cultural diversity, we refer to the multitude of social groups defined by cultural markers such as language, religion, race, or caste . These identities are often ascriptive , meaning they are determined by birth rather than choice. Unlike p

Social Inequality and Exclusion Social Inequality and Exclusion I. Understanding Social Inequality and Exclusion Social inequality and exclusion are not merely individual problems but are social phenomena because they are about groups rather than individuals. While personal effort and talent matter, "all other things are not equal" in society; group differences explain why some have greater life chances than others. Sociologists distinguish between three forms of capital th

Social Institutions: Continuity and Change Social Institutions: Continuity and Change I. Introduction to Social Institutions A population is not merely a collection of unrelated individuals; it is a society composed of distinct but interlinked classes and communities. These groups are sustained and regulated by social institutions and social relationships. Sociology focuses on the basic building blocks of Indian society, specifically the institutions of caste, tribe, and fam

Structure of Indian Society Structure of Indian Society: Demographic Structure and Rural-Urban Dynamics I. Introduction to Demography and Social Structure The study of Indian society begins with an understanding of its demographic structure , which refers to the systematic study of the population. The term ‘demography’ is of Greek origin, derived from demos (people) and graphein (describe), literally meaning the description of people. While the population is composed of u