CBSE Class 11 Sociology Syllabus (2025-26) - Detailed Breakdown

CBSE Class XI Sociology Syllabus 2025-26 - Complete Chapter-wise Curriculum

Course Overview

Theory Paper

Marks

Project Work

Marks

Duration

Hours

Total Units

Units

Learning Objectives

Understanding fundamental concepts and principles of Sociology as a social science
Developing analytical skills to observe and interpret social life and behaviors
Learning about social institutions, their functions, and their role in society
Understanding the process of culture and socialization in human development
Exploring social change and social order in rural and urban contexts
Studying contributions of Western and Indian sociologists to the discipline
Building capacity to understand complexity of social processes and diversity
Developing research skills through project work and field studies
Connecting classroom learning with real-world social phenomena
Preparation for advanced sociology studies and social science careers

Part-wise Marks Distribution

Part	Section Name	Marks	Percentage	Units
A	Introducing Sociology	44	55%	4 Units
B	Understanding Society	36	45%	3 Units
C	Project Work	20	20%	Continuous
Total Theory		80	100%	7 Units

Note: Introducing Sociology carries 55% weightage while Understanding Society carries 45% weightage

Part A: Introducing Sociology (44 Marks)

HIGHER WEIGHTAGE - 55% of Total Theory Marks

NCERT Textbook: Introducing Sociology

Official NCERT textbook covering basic concepts, social institutions, and fundamental principles of sociology

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Unit 1: Sociology, Society and its Relationship with other Social Sciences 10 Marks

Chapter 1: Sociology and Society

Introducing Society: Inequalities among societies
Introducing Sociology: Emergence, Nature and Scope
Individuals and collectivities
Pluralities and social structures
Relationship with other Social Science disciplines
Sociology as a distinct discipline
Methods of sociological inquiry
Understanding social behavior and interactions

Unit 2: Terms, Concepts and their use in Sociology 10 Marks

Chapter 2: Terms, Concepts and their Use in Sociology

Social Groups and Society
Social Stratification concepts
Status and Role in social structure
Society & Social Control mechanisms
Primary and secondary groups
Formal and informal social control
Social norms, values, and sanctions
Community and association differences

Unit 3: Understanding Social Institutions 12 Marks

Chapter 3: Understanding Social Institutions

Family, Marriage and Kinship systems
Work & Economic Life structures
Political Institutions and governance
Religion as a Social Institution
Education as a Social Institution
Functions and dysfunctions of institutions
Institutional change and continuity
Interrelationship between institutions

Unit 4: Culture and Socialization 12 Marks

Chapter 4: Culture and Socialisation

Defining Culture: material and non-material
Dimensions of Culture: beliefs, values, norms
Socialization process and stages
Agencies of Socialisation:
• Family as primary agent
• School and peer groups
• Media and community influence
Cultural diversity and cultural change
Enculturation and acculturation

Part B: Understanding Society (36 Marks)

MODERATE WEIGHTAGE - 45% of Total Theory Marks

NCERT Textbook: Understanding Society

Comprehensive coverage of social change, rural-urban dynamics, and contributions of sociologists

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Unit 7: Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society 12 Marks

Chapter 1: Social Structure, Stratification and Social Processes in Society

Social Change: Types, Causes and Consequences
Social Order: Domination, Authority and Law
Contestation, Crime and Violence
Concepts: Village, Town and City
Social Order and Social Change in Rural Areas
Social Order and Social Change in Urban Areas
Rural-urban migration patterns
Modernization and its impact

Chapter 2: Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society

Characteristics of rural and urban societies
Social transformation processes
Urbanization and its challenges
Rural development and change

Unit 9: Introducing Western Sociologists 12 Marks

Chapter 4: Introducing Western Sociologists

The Context of Sociology development
Karl Marx on Class Conflict:
• Historical materialism
• Bourgeoisie and proletariat
• Class struggle theory
Emile Durkheim: Division of Labour in society
• Mechanical and organic solidarity
• Social facts and collective conscience
Max Weber: Interpretive Sociology
• Ideal Type methodology
• Bureaucracy and rationalization
• Protestant ethic and capitalism

Unit 10: Indian Sociologists 12 Marks

Chapter 5: Indian Sociologists

G.S. Ghurye on Caste and Race:
• Caste system analysis
• Race and ethnicity studies
• Indian social structure
D.P. Mukherjee on Tradition and Change:
• Tradition and modernity balance
• Social change in India
A.R. Desai on the State:
• State and society relationship
• Political sociology perspective
M.N. Srinivas on the Village:
• Village studies methodology
• Sanskritization and westernization
• Dominant caste concept

Project Work (20 Marks)

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT - 20% of Total Marks

Project Requirements

One project per student per academic session

Format: Comprehensive research project with field work component

Nature: Independent, self-directed sociological study

Project Assessment Criteria

Introduction

2 Marks
Topic relevance and background context

Statement of Purpose

2 Marks
Clear objectives and research goals

Research Question

2 Marks
Well-formulated research problem

Methodology

3 Marks
Research methods and data collection techniques

Data Analysis

4 Marks
Analysis, interpretation and findings

Conclusion

2 Marks
Summary and implications

Viva-Voce

5 Marks
Oral examination on project understanding

Project Timeline

Month	Periodic Work	Assessment Focus	Marks
April - July	Topic Selection, Background Reading, Literature Review	Introduction, Statement of Purpose, Research Question	5
August - October	Data Collection, Field Work, Methodology Implementation	Methodology, Data Collection Techniques	6
November - January	Data Analysis, Interpretation, Writing	Content Analysis, Relevance, Presentation	5
January - February	Final Presentation and Viva	Conclusion, Bibliography, Viva-Voce	4

Project Work Guidelines

Choose topics related to current social issues and phenomena
Use primary and secondary sources for comprehensive research
Employ appropriate sociological research methods (survey, interview, observation)
Include hypothesis formation and testing in research design
Analyze data using sociological concepts and theories
Present findings with proper citations and bibliography
Connect theoretical knowledge with empirical observations
Ensure ethical considerations in research conduct
Maintain authenticity and avoid plagiarism
Prepare for comprehensive viva-voce examination

Examination Pattern (March 2026)

Question Paper Design

Total Marks: 80 | Duration: 3 Hours

Subject Code: 039

Competency Level	Cognitive Skills	Marks	Percentage
Knowledge & Understanding	Recall facts, terms, concepts, demonstrate understanding	30	37.5%
Application of Knowledge	Apply concepts to new situations, solve problems	32	40%
Analysis & Evaluation	Examine, analyze, evaluate, create solutions	18	22.5%
Total Theory + Project		100	100%

Assessment Features

Balanced coverage of Introducing Sociology and Understanding Society
Concept-based questions testing theoretical understanding
Application questions linking theory to real-world scenarios
Case study analysis of social phenomena and institutions
Comparative analysis of different sociological perspectives
Short and long answer questions with varying difficulty levels
Integration of Western and Indian sociological thought
Contemporary social issues and their sociological analysis

NCERT Books Download

Class XI Sociology NCERT Books

Book 1: Introducing Sociology

Covers Units 1-4: Basic concepts, social institutions, culture and socialization

Download PDF

Book 2: Understanding Society

Covers Units 7, 9, 10: Social change, Western and Indian sociologists