GATE Sociology Syllabus 2026: Topics & Weightage Wise Syllabus PDF

GATE Sociology Syllabus 2026: Topics & Weightage Wise Syllabus PDF

Ongoing Event

GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25

K Guna SahitiUpdated on 29 Mar 2025, 04:24 PM IST

GATE Sociology Syllabus 2026- IIT Guwahati will publish the GATE 2026 Sociology syllabus pdf on the official website. This article will be updated with the GATE syllabus of 2026, as and when released. Meanwhile, candidates can start preparing for GATE exam using previous year syllabus of GATE Sociology. The GATE syllabus will consist of topics based on Social Movements, and Sociology of Development, Research Methodology and Methods, Sociological Theory and Sociological Concepts. A direct link to download last year’s GATE syllabus of Sociology is given here.
Direct link for previous year GATE Sociology Syllabus pdf

This Story also Contains

  1. GATE 2026 Sociology Syllabus
  2. GATE 2026 Sociology- Exam Pattern
  3. GATE Sociology 2026 - Other Optional Subjects
GATE Sociology Syllabus 2026: Topics & Weightage Wise Syllabus PDF
GATE Sociology Syllabus 2026

Aspirants must follow the GATE exam pattern along with the exam syllabus for effective preparatio of the test. IIT Guwahati is expected to hold the GATE 2026 exam in the month of February.

GATE 2026 Sociology Syllabus

IIT Guwahati will release the GATE syllabus for Sociology online. Candidates will find all the important topics for GATE 2026 XH in this table.Until then, refer to the previous year syllabus of GATE Sociology.

Syllabus of GATE Sociology Paper 2026 (XH – C6)

UnitsTopics

Sociological Theory

  • Classical Sociological Traditions

  • Structural-Functionalism and Structuralism

  • Hermeneutic and Interpretative Traditions

  • Post-Modernism, Post-Structuralism and Post-Colonialism

  • Conflict theory

  • Indian Thinkers

Research Methodology and Methods

  • Conceptualizing Social Reality

  • Research Design

  • Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

  • Research Technique

Sociological Concepts

  • Sociological Concepts

  • Social Institutions

  • Social Stratification

  • Social Change

  • Agrarian Sociology and Rural Transformation

  • Family, Marriage and Kinship; Theoretical Approaches

  • Indian Society / Sociology of India

Social Movements

  • Introduction to Social Movements

  • Theories of Social Movements

  • Social Movement in India with specific reference to social basis, leadership, ideology and actions:

  • Social Movements, civil society and globalization

Sociology of Development

  • Perspectives on the Study of Development

  • State and Market

  • The Micro-Politics of Development: Transforming Communities

  • Sustainable development

Also Check:

GATE 2026 Sociology- Exam Pattern

Candidates preparing for the test must check the exam pattern given below along with the GATE Sociology syllabus pdf. It will consist of details like the mode of the exam, duration of the test and negative marking. It is important to note that the GATE Sociology paper will be a part of the GATE XH 2026 exam.

Exam Pattern for GATE Sociology

ParticularsDetails

Examination Mode

Computer Based Test (Online)

Total duration of the test

3 Hours

Sections of GATE XH 2026 paper


  • General Aptitude (GA)

  • Reasoning and Comprehension

  • Sociology

Total Marks

100 Marks

Weightage of Sociology Section

60 Marks

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

Marking Scheme

1 or 2 marks depending on the type of question

GATE 2026 Negative Marking


  • 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer of one marker

  • 2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response of a 2-marker

  • No negative marking for MSQ & NAT.

  • No partial marking for MSQ type questions.

Related Articles:

GATE Sociology 2026 - Other Optional Subjects

There are will be a total of six optional subjects available for selection under the GATE XH 2026 test. Candidates can go though the complete list along with their paper codes below.

Optional Subjects Other Than GATE Sociology

GATE 2026 XH Optional Papers

Subject Code

Economics

C1

English

C2

Linguistics

C3

Philosophy

C4

Psychology

C5

Sociology

C6

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When is the right time to prepare for GATE 2026?
A:

Students are advised to prepare for the GATE 2026 exam at least six to eight months before. One year of preparatory time is ideal.

Q: Is there a separate exam for GATE 2026 Sociology?
A:

No. GATE Sociology 2026 is a part of the Humanities and Social Sciences paper.

Q: How many optional subjects are there in GATE 2026 XH paper?
A:

There will be six optional subjects available for the GATE XH 2026 test.

Q: What is the weightage of the Sociology section in GATE 2026?
A:

The weightage of GATE sociology part is of 60 marks.

Q: Is GATE Sociology 2026 a compulsory paper?
A:

No. Applicants can choose to take any of the five optional subjects other than GATE 2026 Sociology. They are- Economics, English, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello,

Yes, you can change your category from General to OBC during the GATE 2026 correction window.

GATE always allows candidates to correct details like category. You will need to pay a small correction fee for this change. Make sure you upload a valid OBC certificate as per the format and date mentioned by GATE.

So, wait for the correction window, log in to your application, and update your category to OBC.

Hope it helps !

Hello! If you are preparing for GATE, there are plenty of free resources available online that can boost your preparation. You can easily access e-books, handwritten notes, subject wise PYQs, and test series shared by toppers on different platforms. Along with that, free PDFs and study material are available through various websites and Telegram channels. To make it easier, I will be attaching the link where you can find preparation tips, a study timetable, free study materials, and previous year question papers all in one place.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-timetable
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https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-material
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-mock-test
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-question-papers

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Hello,

You can download GATE Previous Year Question Papers either from the official website of GATE 2026, or from Careers360. Here are the links for both :

Official Website : Download GATE Previous Papers (https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in/download.html)

Careers360 : GATE Question Papers with Solutions

Hope it helps !

To take GATE mock tests, first choose a reliable source like GATE official portal, NPTEL, Made Easy, or ACE Engineering. Sign up or register online to access the full-length tests. Simulate the actual 3-hour exam with proper timing and no distractions. Attempt complete tests to practice time management and exam strategy. After each test, analyze your performance to identify weak areas and revise. Regularly taking 1–2 mocks per week helps improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.