Sociology is a popular UPSC optional for its relatively concise syllabus, interdisciplinary nature, and strong overlap with the General Studies papers, especially GS Paper 1 and 2, making it a scoring subject with relevance to current affairs, essay writing, and interview preparation. Its broad scope covers everything from micro-level social interactions to macro-level societal changes and global processes, offering a structured framework to understand social issues like inequality, poverty, and social change