Sociologist
Studies society, human behaviour and interaction — examining institutions, cultures and groups, from family and religion to class and the state.
Overview
A Sociologist studies society, human behaviour and interaction that develop when people work together. Social institutions, cultures and groups are examined by them. The subject matter for a Sociologist is diverse, ranging from crime, religion and the social structures of family to the state, and from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture.
Where they work
- Research organizations
- Colleges
- Universities
- Regional and central government
- Consulting service firms
Work environment
You will typically work in an office. You may work outside of an office setting when conducting research through interviews or observations or presenting research results.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have an interest and knowledge of society and social issues
- You like to analyse problems
- You like to pay attention to details
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Humanities stream, preferably with Sociology.
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree in Arts (B.A.) in Sociology, followed by a Master's degree in Arts (M.A.) in the same.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree in Arts (B.A.) in Sociology, a Master's degree in Arts (M.A.) in Sociology and a PhD in the same subject.
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree in any Humanities subject and then complete a PhD in Sociology.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Sociology. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying.
Government institutes
- Miranda House, University of Delhi, New Delhi
- Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, New Delhi
- Hindu College, New Delhi
- Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- Delhi School of Economics, New Delhi
- Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Gujarat Arts and Science College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Fergusson College, Pune, Maharashtra
- Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal
- St. Andrew's College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Rani Birla Girls' College, Kolkata, West Bengal
- St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Jyoti Nivas College, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Intern
- 2Junior Analyst
- 3Sociologist, General
- 4Senior Sociologist
- 5Head of the Department
Related careers to explore
Anthropologist
Studies human origins, cultures and customs — how people interact with each other, their environment and the artefacts they create.
Social Worker
Helps individuals, families and communities facing poverty, mental health issues, addiction, domestic violence or disability to improve their well-being.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Arts.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to researching.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Nidhin Donald — An artist and doctoral scholar at JNU, Delhi. He has worked with Pune University and the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), and his artwork has regularly featured on Round Table India. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Sociology and then pursued an M.Phil. and a PhD at the School of Social Sciences, JNU, Delhi.
Source: a personal interview, as credited on the printed card — no public page to link to.
This profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 849 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://shorturl.at/ejPCx
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
This card is printed on page 849; the contents list gives 851. PhD admission normally requires a master's degree (or, under UGC rules, a four-year bachelor's degree with a high score), so check the eligibility with the university before following the card's third route. The case-study link breaks across two lines at a hyphen and cannot be reconstructed with certainty, so it is not shown.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.