Quick Summary
Sociology is the systematic study of human behaviour, social interactions, and institutions, relying on both critical analysis and empirical research. It seeks to understand how individuals relate to one another within different social settings and how cultural elements such as customs, traditions, religion, and social status shape everyday life.
In the Indian context, the nature and scope of sociology are broad and dynamic, covering a wide range of topics from caste and class structures to gender roles, family systems, and regional diversities.
Sociologists play a crucial role in analysing human relationships within groups and communities. By observing patterns of behaviour, gathering data, and interpreting social trends, they contribute to a deeper understanding of society. Their insights help evaluate existing social practices and often advocate for change and reform. As India continues to evolve socially and economically, studying sociology becomes essential to addressing various challenges and promoting inclusive development. In this article, we’ll explore the nature and scope of sociology in India in greater detail.
Sociology is the study of society and how people interact within it. It’s like looking at how groups, communities, and societies function and how people fit into these larger systems. Sociology helps us understand how society influences our actions, relationships, and social structures and how we can, in turn, shape society. The scope of sociology in India includes examining these dynamics within the Indian context.
The nature and scope of sociology encompass a wide range of topics and areas of study. It explores social relationships, group dynamics, institutions, and the impact of social forces on individuals and communities. Sociologists investigate how societies develop, function, and change over time. They assess social activities, identify patterns, and advocate for reform to address social issues.
The scope of sociology includes various subfields, such as:
Sociologists use their findings to assess social phenomena and implement changes that can lead to positive societal outcomes. The nature and scope of sociology in India, for example, cover a broad range of societal issues, aiming to improve social structures and foster development.
The scope of sociology in India is broad and includes the study of society, social relationships, and human interactions. It examines how social issues such as poverty, crime, and racism impact individuals. With a background in sociology, people can work in various sectors, including education, social services, healthcare, government, business, nonprofit organizations and criminal justice.
They can also take on roles such as teachers, researchers, social workers, counsellors, public health analysts, policy developers, urban planners, market researchers, human resource specialists, program managers, fundraisers, probation officers and law enforcement officers.
The scope of sociology in India is extensive and promising. Numerous colleges and universities offer a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Sociology, which students can pursue after completing their 10+2 education. Before applying, it’s important to carefully review the eligibility criteria, as they may vary between institutions. This undergraduate program provides a solid foundation for understanding social dynamics and opens doors to various career paths in research, social work, education, and more.
Below is a list of the top colleges for studying sociology in India. These colleges also offer Master’s or other advanced Degrees.
This is a centralised university. It is the best option in India for Social Sciences. It has reputed colleges like St Stephens, Miranda House, Hindu, etc. These offer a 3-year BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Work course. DU also offers Master’s courses in the former.
To study here, aspirants must clear the Common University Entrance TEST (CUET).
JNU houses the country’s intellectual minds. Its courses are at the Master’s level. It has a dedicated Centre for the Study of Social Systems and offers MA and PhD programs. These aim to craft experts in research and analytical methods.
JNU graduates are sought after for roles in this field and Social Work. Admission requires clearing an entrance test.
The Tata group has been running this institute since 1936. It is the oldest institute for social work education in Asia. It offers B.A., M.A. and PhD courses. These are available in various fields like Social Work, Anthropology, etc. TISS Mumbai and Guwahati offer these courses.
One of the most famous institutions in the country, it was established in 1955. It ranked 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking 2023. The Dept of Sociology here is known for its research. Students can pursue Master’s, M.Phil., and PhD here. They can learn so many things.
The scope of sociology in India is vast and multifaceted, playing a crucial role in understanding the complexities of social structures and cultural dynamics. It helps in critically examining persistent issues such as poverty, caste discrimination, gender inequality, and regional disparities. Through its insights, sociology contributes to shaping effective social policies, promoting awareness, and guiding reforms aimed at building a more equitable and inclusive society.
Making meaningful progress in social life requires a deep understanding of human behaviour, as it forms the foundation of how individuals interact, form relationships, and contribute to society. By studying human behaviour, we can identify the root causes of social issues, understand cultural differences, and recognize patterns that influence decision-making, conflict, cooperation, and change. This knowledge is essential for creating informed solutions, improving social institutions, and fostering harmony and development within diverse communities.
Sociology studies humans as inherently social beings, emphasizing our need to live, interact, and grow within groups. It explores why we tend to thrive in collective settings and how shared norms, values, and roles shape our experiences. Additionally, sociology closely examines the dynamic relationship between individuals and their social groups, shedding light on how group influence shapes personal identity, behaviour, and life choices.
Sociology raises awareness about pressing social issues and works toward reforming social groups and their roles within society. By critically examining social structures, norms, and inequalities, it encourages positive change and fosters a more just and inclusive environment. This, in turn, helps individuals lead more informed, cooperative, and meaningful social lives.
Sociology identifies social issues through systematic research methods such as surveys, interviews, and observations. By analyzing data and patterns, it not only uncovers the root causes of these problems but also helps develop practical and evidence-based solutions. These insights play a crucial role in enabling the government to design and implement effective social policies aimed at improving the well-being of society.
Deviations in human behaviour, such as crime and mental illness, are considered significant societal issues. Sociology studies these deviations to understand their underlying causes and social impact. Sociologists aim to reform these segments of society through awareness, research, and policy recommendations, with the ultimate goal of helping affected individuals reintegrate and become contributing members of the community.
NGOs and other non-profits do humanitarian work. They seek social workers to help them achieve their goals. They work for the benefit of society.
The scope of sociology in India includes social workers who can work to eliminate social problems, such as drug abuse, mental health issues, and poverty. They can also work as researchers, using their knowledge to design NGO support schemes. These schemes ensure social security and welfare and uplift society as a whole.
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Law and Sociology are interwoven. The latter is a part of many law colleges’ syllabi.
Sociology scope focuses on society. But within society, people are bound by laws that control their behaviour. Thus, it helps the law have a grasp over society.
The formation of laws also depends on society’s needs. Sociologists often work for law firms as subject matter experts.
International bodies like UNESCO, UNICEF and WHO work with local bodies. They want people at the ground level working for social benefit. India also elects people to work for them in other countries.
Sociologists can help with the social responsibilities of international corporate firms. They do this by curating their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.
These companies conduct social surveys on a large scale. Those fluent in the local culture are suited for this. They can connect with people to carry out such surveys. A similar job within the scope of sociology in India is that of a Market Research Analyst. They help companies realize what products and services people want and identify consumer trends to set selling prices.
Sociologists in media research houses study the effects of mass media. This research adds to their social experience. It is concerned with the mainstream media’s impact. It explores how the media controls the transfer and access to information.
Sociologists use rational and qualitative methods to build media theories. They study how media and social structure are related.
Sociologists are vital for urban planning. Within the scope of sociology in India, they use their knowledge and tools to address social realities. They can collect and present information. Sociologists also collaborate with urban administrative planners to improve public infrastructure.
Sociologists are helpful in the public health sector. They study inequality, poverty, and power imbalance. Sociologists also help spot social variations in illness and health status. They then prepare frameworks to make healthcare available to everyone. The scope of sociology in nursing extends beyond patient care, helping professionals understand social factors that influence health and recovery.
Recent trends in public health research have opened up more job options. Insurance providers also often hire graduates from this field.
These centres rehabilitate survivors of drug abuse, child abuse, etc. They need social workers to help them. Children, women, the differently abled and senior citizens are the main focus. Sociologists can work as counsellors in government rehab centres to help children and adults.
Sociology graduates have great interpersonal skills. Their education qualifies them for HR jobs. Job roles can vary from hiring, training, and safety, etc. HR personnel give information about the benefits offered by the company. They also handle the relevant paperwork for these processes.
Criminal sociology is a novel career. It studies how this subject is linked with criminal behaviour. Jobs include legal advisory, community development, prison officers, etc. Social workers also run various prison reform programs. They work with criminal psychologists to run such programs.
Many schools and universities teach this subject, so teachers, professors, and lecturers are in demand. Aspirants can get a UG degree in this topic and a B.Ed. degree to teach it in schools. They can also do an M.A. in the subject and then a Ph.D. Then, they can become assistant professors or lecturers in colleges.
Sociologists aid public administration by advising on public policies. Sociology uses varied research to examine public reality. Hence, sociologists can determine what people expect from public policy and improve the administration. This subject helps people reform the current social structure.
The scope of sociology in India is vast, dynamic, and deeply relevant in today’s rapidly evolving society. From shaping public policy to addressing pressing social issues like inequality, health disparities, and urban development, sociology offers diverse and impactful career opportunities. Whether you’re passionate about social reform, education, law, or research, a background in sociology equips you with the analytical tools and empathy needed to drive meaningful change. As India continues to confront complex social challenges, the demand for trained sociologists will only grow, making it a rewarding and future-proof career path for students and professionals alike.
Want to explore numerous options for your career path? Dive into our guide on Career Advice.
Ans. Yes, there is a large scope of sociology in India. It has good research and career opportunities. Graduates can work for firms, non-profit organizations, schools, legal firms, etc. The subject is an application-based science. So, it can benefit many fields.
Ans. The scope of sociology as a profession is wide. It includes NGOs, Law firms, International organizations, Survey-conducting companies, Media research houses, Urban and regional planning bodies, Public health companies, Rehabilitation centres, Criminal justice, and more.
Ans. The average salary for a sociologist in India is around INR 500,000 annually. But it can vary depending on your working profile. It can differ if you are working for an NGO and someone with sociology after an MA degree is working for a law firm.
Ans. Sociology is the systematic and organized study of groups. Its scope extends to social structures, relationships, and institutions.
Ans. Sociology-related careers in India are on the rise. Due to their wide scope, students enrol in higher studies. They can also easily get sociology jobs in MNCs. There are also opportunities to study and work abroad.
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
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