Kerala Public Service Commission conducts various exams for the recruitment of candidates for various government services. KPSC HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary Education Exam is an exam organized by Kerala PSC with Government of Kerala for the recruitment of most eligible candidates for the post of Higher Secondary school Teachers in different Government Higher Secondary Schools. The candidates are selected for the HSST post in Sociology Department. The existing vacancies of the Government Higher Secondary Schools are filled by the candidates selected through this exam.

Structure of KPSC HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary Education Exam

The recruitment of the candidates for the HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary School post is on the basis of the written exam and a personal interview. The written exam is conducted by Kerala PSC. It is an objective type test which includes 100 questions. The medium of the test will be in English only. The time allotted for completing the exam is of one hour and fifteen minutes. The candidates have to select the correct answer from the given four options and mark it in the OMR answer sheet. Those who score good marks in the written test will be called for the interview. The candidates who perform well in the written test and interview will be included in the rank list.

Syllabus for KPSC HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary Education Exam

KPSC HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary Education Exam includes questions from the Post graduate Sociology Course curriculum. The questions are expected from ten important topics. They are listed below.

Section 1: Sociological Concepts

• Society
• Community
• Nation
• Institution
• Association
• Group
• Culture
• Norms
• Values
• Status
• Role
• Conflict
• Reference Groups
• Formal and Informal Groups
• Family
• Marriage
• Education
• Economy
• Polity
• Bureaucracy
• Religion
• Socialisation
• Social Stratification
• Social Mobility
• Types and patterns of Social Change

Section 2: Sociological Theory

• Contributions by Radcliffe Brown
• Contributions by Malinowski
• Contributions by Levi-Strauss
• Contributions by Nadel
• Contributions by Durkheim
• Contributions by Parsons
• Contributions by Merton
• Contributions by Max Weber
• Contributions by Karl Marx
• Contributions by Dahrendorf
• Contributions by R.Collins
• Contributions by P.Blau
• Contributions by George C Homans, J. Habermas, L.Althusser etc

Section 3: Research Methods

• Approaches to Research
• Types of Research
• Research Process
• Research Designs
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Qualitative Research Techniques
• Data Processing
• Analysis
• Report Writing

Section 4: Sociology of Development

• Concept of Development- Economic growth
• Human development
• Social Development
• Sustainable Development
• Social Justice and Human Rights

Section 5: Gender and Development

• History of Feminist Thought
• Social Construction of Gender
• Theories of Gender Relations- Liberal, Marxian, Radical, Socialist, Eco-Feminist, Post Modernist
• Women’s Movement in India
• Gender development approaches and impact of globalisation
• Major problems affecting women
• Section 6: Tourism and Society
• Trends in Tourism- Domestic and International
• Tourism as a product and an Industry
• Importance of Cultural Heritage
• Tourism Planning and Development in the State
• Social consequences of Tourism

Section 7: Industry and Society

• Management approaches in industry
• Role of Trade Unions in Industry
• State of Human Relations in Industry
• Industrial Township
• Problems of Industrialisation-settlements
• Labour among women
• Children and migrants
• Environmental problems

Section 8: Education and Society

• Basic Education
• Higher Education and Social Development
• Modernisation, Privatisation and Commercialisation of Education
• Equity
• Reservation and Disparities in Region
• Tribe, Caste, Gender
• Rural-Urban Residence/Culture
• Social Stratification and Mobility

Section 9: Health and Society

• Social Epidemiology
• Culture and Disease
• Social components in therapy and rehabilitation
• Community Health and Needs assessment
• Community Health Participation
• Ageing
• State Health Policies
• Social Security
• Consumer Protection in Food and Drugs

Section 10: Challenges of Globalisation

• Information Technology Culture- Institutions and Organisations
• Transformation of work and employment
• The Digital Divide
• Indigenous Social Movements
• Consumerism
• Migration
• Historical perspective of Decentralisation
• 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Act 1992
• Local Self Government Institutions and Planning

Eligibility Criteria

The candidates who have a Masters Degree in Sociology with 50% marks can apply for the given post. The candidates should also have a B.Ed degree in Sociology from any recognized institutions under University of Kerala. The candidates who have passed the SET exam can apply for the test.  Those who have passed the State Level Eligibility Test for the college Lectures Post, NET, M.Ed and M.Phil are exempted from attending the test. The age limit of the candidates must be between 20 and 39 years.

How to Apply?

The application form for the above mentioned post is published by Kerala Public Service Commission in their official website www.psc.org.in . Those who have to attend the test can submit the online application form. There is no exam fee for applying to the post. The barcode number of the application form must be required for future reference.

How to fill the Form?

The guidelines for the application form submission will be provided in the official website. All the details entered in the form must be correct. Any further change in the entered data will not be possible. The Photograph and signature uploaded in the form must be in the suggested size by PSC. All the required documents should be produced at the time of the interview. No documents should be attached with the application form. The form should be send by the candidates before the last date.

Important Dates (Tentative)

• Online Registration starts from: First Week of March, 2012
• Last date of online registration: First Week of April, 2012
• Admission Tickets can be downloaded from: First Week of May, 2012
• Date of the Examination: Last Week of May, 2012

List of KPSC HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary Education Exam Centres

• Thiruvananthapuram
• Malapuram
• Ernakulum
• Pathanamthitta
• Alapuzha
• Kannur
• Kollam
• Thrissur
• Calicut
• Kottayam

Contact Address for KPSC HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary Education Exam

• Address: Secretary, Office of the Kerala Public Service Commission, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram
• Website: www.keralapsc.org
• E-mail: [email protected]

Reference Books for KPSC HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary Education Exam

• Sociology by T B Bottomore
• Sociology by Anthony Giddens
• Sociology by Haralambos and Holborn
• Sociological Thinkers by R K Mukherjee
• Political Theory by O P Gauba
• Indian Social System by Ram Ahuja
• Indian Society & Culture by Nadeem Husnain
• Rural Sociology by Doshi & Jain
• Social Background of Indian Nationalism by A R Desai
• Modernization of Indian tradition by Yogenndra Singh
• Contemporary India by Neera Chandhoke
• Social Demography by Asha Bhede & Kanitkar
• Social Movements In India by Ghanshyam Shah
• Politics in India by Paul R Brass
• Women in India by Neera Desai
• Politics in India by Sudipta Kaviraj

Coaching Centres for KPSC HSST (Sociology) - Junior Higher Secondary Education Exam

• Brilliant Tutorials Private Limited
• Prism Centre for Education
• Brain Strom Academy
• S.S.B. Interviews Coaching
• Rajendra institute of Higher Studies
• Achievers Tutorials
• Institute of Career Management
• Sahil Study Circle
• Success Guru
• Heirank School of Competitions
• Elite Academy
• Fundas and Competitions
• Career Launcher
• Vedic Academy
• DAMS
• APEX Academy
• National Institute of Advanced Learning
• Arpan Institute
• Progress Coaching Centre
• Takshila Institute
• Sachdeva College
• Dhaliwal Institute of Competition
• CAT Guroo
• Ascent Education
• Rachna A.C.A. of Career Education
• New Career Academy

Study Plan

The candidates should have an effective study plan to get high score in the exam. The study plan must match with the time schedule of the candidates. The candidates have an idea about the syllabus of the exam. Plan the study on the basis of that syllabus. At least two months preparation is necessary for the exam. Candidates have to plan a fixed time for preparing for the exam. The candidates have to study in their own pace. There are various coaching centers ready to give coaching for the candidates. Candidates can go for the coaching provided by them. Refer various text books for getting moiré idea about the topics. Practice with the previous question papers help the candidates to manage the time for the exam. A good study plan is necessary for the candidates to achieve the goal.

How and Where To Get the Results?

The result of the exam will be available in the official website of Public Service Commission www.keralapsc.org.

Score Validity

The score will be valid till three years from the date of publishing the exam result.