IGNOU MSO-003 Assignment 2026-27
Sociology of Development
Last updated by IGNOU: 27 Jul 2026. Guide written from the official PDF on 01 Nov 2026, 04:25 am.
| Course code | MSO-003 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Sociology of Development |
| Programme | M.A. SociologyMSO |
| Assignment code | MSO-003/AST/TMA/2026-27 |
| Session | July 2026 and January 2027 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Weightage | 30% |
| Last date (June exam) | 31 Mar 2027 |
| Last date (December exam) | 30 Sept 2026 |
| Medium | English, Hindi |
About the MSO-003 assignment
The MSO-003 assignment explores development debates, sustainability, neoliberalism, Marxian perspectives and culture in planning. It also covers liberalization, community empowerment through knowledge and ICTs, approaches to technology, population and poverty, and the people science movement.
This tutor-marked assignment has two sections with five questions each. Answer any five questions, choosing at least two from each section. Each question carries 20 marks, and each answer should be about 500 words. The assignment totals 100 marks and has a 30% weightage.
What the assignment asks
| Question | Marks | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Section I) | 20 | Discuss changes in the dominant paradigms used in development debates. |
| Q2 (Section I) | 20 | Examine the present-day relevance of sustainable development. |
| Q3 (Section I) | 20 | Critically examine how neoliberalism emerged. |
| Q4 (Section I) | 20 | Discuss criticisms of the Marxian approach to development. |
| Q5 (Section I) | 20 | Explain why planning should account for culture, using suitable illustrations. |
| Q6 (Section II) | 20 | Examine the crises that contributed to liberalization. |
| Q7 (Section II) | 20 | Discuss how knowledge and information and communication technologies can empower communities. |
| Q8 (Section II) | 20 | Explain the differences between techno-utopian and techno-structuralist perspectives. |
| Q9 (Section II) | 20 | Critically assess the claim that overpopulation is the principal cause of poverty in developing countries. |
| Q10 (Section II) | 20 | Discuss the central issues and challenges facing the people science movement. |
This is a summary of each question. Download the official PDF above for the exact questions and word limits.
How to write and submit it
- Answer five questions in total.
- Choose at least two questions from Section I and at least two from Section II.
- Keep each answer to about 500 words.
Submission dates: 31 March 2027 (June term-end exam); 30 September 2026 (December term-end exam)
Frequently asked questions
Which sessions does the MSO-003 assignment cover?
The official listing identifies the sessions as July 2026 and January 2027.
How many questions must I answer in MSO-003?
Answer any five of the ten questions, selecting at least two from each section.
What is the word limit for each answer?
Each answer should be about 500 words.
What are the marks and weightage for this assignment?
The assignment carries 100 marks with a 30% weightage. Each question is worth 20 marks.
What are the MSO-003 assignment submission deadlines?
The official listing gives 31 March 2027 for the June term-end exam and 30 September 2026 for the December term-end exam.
Is this assignment available in English and Hindi?
The official listing shows both English and Hindi mediums.
Other IGNOU MSO assignments
- MPA-016: Decentralisation and Local Governance
- MPS 3: India: Democracy and Development
- MSO-001: Sociological Theories and Concepts
- MSO-002: Research Methodologies and Methods
- MSO-004: Sociology in India
Assignment details and PDFs come from IGNOU's official website; the guide is a summary of the official PDF. Always check the latest instructions and last dates on ignou.ac.in or with your Regional Centre before submitting.