UGC NET Sociology General Paper 1 Syllabus

What is the difference between fabrication and falsification of data?

Fabrication is inventing/making up data or results that never existed; falsification is manipulating or altering real data, equipment or processes to misrepresent findings.

In reading comprehension, what is the difference between skimming and scanning?

Skimming is reading quickly to grasp the general idea/gist; scanning is searching quickly for specific information or keywords.

Define 'communication' in its basic sense.

Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts or feelings between a sender and a receiver through a shared channel and code, aiming at mutual understanding.

What are the essential elements of the communication process?

Sender (source), message, encoding, channel/medium, receiver, decoding, feedback, and noise (context).

What are the main characteristics of effective communication?

Clarity, conciseness, completeness, correctness, concreteness, consideration, courtesy (the 7 Cs), plus appropriate feedback and active listening.

What are the major types of barriers to effective communication?

Physical/environmental, physiological, psychological, semantic (language), cultural, organizational, and technological/mechanical barriers.

What is 'noise' as a barrier in communication?

Noise is any interference (physical, semantic or psychological) that distorts or disrupts the message between sender and receiver, reducing fidelity.

What are the primary functions of mass media in society?

Information, education, entertainment, persuasion, surveillance, correlation of society's parts, cultural transmission, and agenda setting.

What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning moves from general premises to a specific, certain conclusion (general→particular); inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to a general, probable conclusion (particular→general).

In the structure of an argument, what is the difference between a premise and a conclusion?

A premise is a statement offered as evidence or support; the conclusion is the claim that the premises are intended to establish.

What makes a deductive argument 'valid' versus 'sound'?

An argument is valid if the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises; it is sound if it is valid AND all its premises are actually true.

What is an analogy in analogical reasoning?

An analogy is a comparison establishing a similar relationship between two pairs of terms (A:B :: C:D), used to infer an unknown term from a known relationship.

In a Venn diagram, how is the categorical statement 'All A are B' represented?

By drawing circle A entirely inside circle B (or shading the part of A that lies outside B to show it is empty).

In a Venn diagram, how is 'Some A are B' represented?

By placing an 'X' (existential marker) in the overlapping region between circles A and B, indicating at least one A is also B.

In Indian logic (Nyaya), what is a 'Pramana'?

A Pramana is a valid means or source of knowledge—a reliable instrument by which true cognition (prama) is obtained.

Name the four Pramanas accepted by the Nyaya school of Indian logic.

Pratyaksha (perception), Anumana (inference), Upamana (comparison/analogy), and Shabda (verbal/credible testimony).

What are the five members (avayavas) of the Nyaya syllogism (Anumana)?

Pratijna (proposition), Hetu (reason), Udaharana (example/universal rule), Upanaya (application), and Nigamana (conclusion).

What are the three kinds of Anumana (inference) in Indian logic?

Purvavat (from cause to effect), Sheshavat (from effect to cause), and Samanyatodrishta (inference based on general/uniform observation).

What is the difference between primary and secondary data?

Primary data is collected first-hand by the researcher for a specific purpose; secondary data is pre-existing data collected by others for a different purpose.

List common methods of acquiring primary data.

Surveys/questionnaires, interviews, observation, experiments, schedules, and focus group discussions.

Name common graphical methods of representing data.

Bar diagram, histogram, frequency polygon, pie chart, line graph, ogive (cumulative frequency curve), and pictograph.

What is the difference between a histogram and a bar diagram?

A histogram represents continuous/grouped frequency data with adjacent bars (no gaps); a bar diagram represents discrete/categorical data with separated bars.

What is meant by 'data governance'?

Data governance is the framework of policies, processes and standards ensuring data is accurate, secure, available, and used responsibly for decision-making and administration.

What is the difference between the Internet and an Intranet?

The Internet is a global, public network connecting computers worldwide; an Intranet is a private network restricted to an organization, using internet technologies for internal use.

What is the difference between audio-conferencing and video-conferencing?

Audio-conferencing transmits only voice among participants at different locations; video-conferencing transmits both audio and live video simultaneously.

Name two major digital initiatives in Indian higher education.

SWAYAM (online courses/MOOCs) and SWAYAM PRABHA (DTH educational channels); others include NPTEL, e-PG Pathshala, NDL (National Digital Library), and Shodhganga.

What is e-governance?

E-governance is the use of ICT (Internet, computers, mobile) by government to deliver public services, share information, and improve administration efficiency, transparency and citizen participation.

What is the difference between the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

MDGs were 8 goals (2000–2015) targeting developing nations; SDGs are 17 goals (2015–2030) that are universal, broader, and cover environmental, economic and social sustainability.

How many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are there and when were they adopted?

There are 17 SDGs with 169 targets, adopted by the UN in 2015 to be achieved by 2030 (the 2030 Agenda).

What are 'anthropogenic activities' and give examples of their environmental impact.

Anthropogenic activities are human-caused actions; examples include deforestation, industrialization and fossil fuel burning, causing pollution, global warming, biodiversity loss and resource depletion.

Name the major types of environmental pollution.

Air pollution, water pollution, soil/land pollution, noise pollution, thermal pollution, and radioactive pollution.

Give two examples of health impacts of air pollutants.

Particulate matter and SO2/NOx cause respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis) and lung cancer; carbon monoxide reduces oxygen in blood; lead causes neurological damage.

Classify natural energy resources into renewable and non-renewable with examples.

Renewable: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass; Non-renewable (exhaustible): nuclear (fissile fuels) and fossil-derived; forests are renewable if managed sustainably.

What is the difference between a natural hazard and a disaster?

A hazard is a potentially damaging natural event/phenomenon; it becomes a disaster when it actually causes serious disruption, loss of life and damage exceeding the community's coping capacity.

Name key disaster mitigation strategies.

Early warning systems, hazard mapping/zoning, resilient construction and building codes, afforestation, public awareness/training, and disaster management plans.

In which year was the Environmental Protection Act enacted in India and what triggered it?

The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986, largely in response to the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy; it serves as umbrella legislation for environmental protection.

What is the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and how many missions does it have?

Launched in 2008, the NAPCC is India's strategy to address climate change through 8 national missions (e.g., National Solar Mission, Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency).

What is the Montreal Protocol (1987) concerned with?

The Montreal Protocol aims to phase out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to protect the ozone layer.

What was the significance of the Rio Summit (1992)?

The Rio Earth Summit (UNCED, 1992) produced Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration, the UNFCCC, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, linking environment and development.

What is the objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?

Conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources; opened for signature at Rio 1992.

What is the Kyoto Protocol (1997) about?

It is an international treaty under UNFCCC committing developed (Annex-I) countries to legally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; it introduced market mechanisms like carbon trading.

What is the central goal of the Paris Agreement (2015)?

To limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C, via nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and who launched it?

The ISA is a coalition of solar-resource-rich countries to promote solar energy, launched jointly by India and France in 2015 at the Paris climate conference, headquartered in Gurugram, India.

Name two famous institutions of higher learning in ancient India.

Nalanda and Takshashila (Taxila); others include Vikramshila, Vallabhi, and Odantapuri.

Which body was established for higher education governance and funding in post-independence India, and in which year did it become statutory?

The University Grants Commission (UGC) was established in 1953 and became a statutory body by an Act of Parliament in 1956.

What is the difference between conventional and non-conventional (distance) learning programmes?

Conventional learning is regular face-to-face, campus-based, full-time education; non-conventional learning is flexible, often distance/open mode (e.g., IGNOU) using self-study and ICT.

What is 'oriental' learning in the Indian education context?

Oriental learning refers to traditional education in classical/Eastern knowledge systems and languages such as Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian, often in specialized institutions.

What is the difference between technical education and skill-based education?

Technical education imparts specialized knowledge in engineering/technology (degree/diploma programmes); skill-based education focuses on practical, vocational competencies for employability (e.g., ITIs, Skill India).

What is the aim of value education?

Value education aims to develop moral, ethical, social and cultural values—such as honesty, tolerance, responsibility and respect—to build good character and responsible citizenship.

Which national policy currently guides education governance and administration in India, and in which year was it adopted?

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 currently guides Indian education, replacing the 1986 policy; it emphasizes a 5+3+3+4 structure, multidisciplinary learning and a GER target of 50% in higher education.