IGNOU MSO-004 Assignment 2026-27
Sociology in India
Last updated by IGNOU: 27 Jul 2026. Guide written from the official PDF on 01 Nov 2026, 04:25 am.
| Course code | MSO-004 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Sociology in India |
| Programme | Masters in SociologyMSO |
| Assignment code | MSO-004/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-004 assignment
The MSO-004 assignment explores the development of sociology in India, caste, feminist perspectives, agrarian change and the Indian middle class. It also covers debates about tribal society, religion, religious diversity and social movements.
This tutor-marked assignment has ten questions divided equally between two sections. Students must answer 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 | Assess how colonial knowledge shaped sociology in India through Orientalist, Missionary and Administrative approaches. |
| Q2 (Section I) | 20 | Compare textual and field-based understandings of caste and assess the contributions of M. N. Srinivas, F. G. Bailey, McKim Marriott and O. M. Lynch. |
| Q3 (Section I) | 20 | Examine feminist approaches to family, marriage and kinship and their influence on understandings of patriarchy, gender and family power. |
| Q4 (Section I) | 20 | Assess the relative importance of land reforms, the Green Revolution and the transition from caste-based to class-based agrarian relations. |
| Q5 (Section I) | 20 | Analyse the growth of India's middle class under liberalisation and globalisation and its changing social, cultural and political roles. |
| Q6 (Section II) | 20 | Critically compare Verrier Elwin's and G. S. Ghurye's interpretations of tribal society in India. |
| Q7 (Section II) | 20 | Examine how religion participates in social change in contemporary India. |
| Q8 (Section II) | 20 | Discuss how Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber contributed to sociological explanations of religion. |
| Q9 (Section II) | 20 | Analyse India's religious diversity and the influence of pluralism, coexistence and interactions between religious communities. |
| Q10 (Section II) | 20 | Explain major classifications of social movements and distinguish older and newer movements using Indian examples. |
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
- Attempt 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-004 assignment cover?
The official listing identifies it for the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions.
How many questions must I answer in MSO-004?
Answer five of the ten questions, selecting at least two from each section.
What is the word limit for each MSO-004 answer?
Each answer should be about 500 words.
What are the marks and weightage of the MSO-004 assignment?
The assignment carries 100 marks with a 30% weightage. Each question is worth 20 marks.
What are the submission deadlines for MSO-004?
The official listing gives 31 March 2027 for the June term-end exam and 30 September 2026 for the December term-end exam.
In which languages is the MSO-004 assignment available?
The official listing provides English and Hindi versions.
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-003: Sociology of Development
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.