Scope of MA in Sociology: Career Opportunities & Top Job Roles in 2025

Sociology is a branch of Humanities that studies social behavior, social relationships, and social institutions. It combines empirical research with critical analysis to understand the nuances of society and the social order and organizations that exist within those societies. But where can you apply this knowledge?

Ever since its inception during the Enlightenment era, sociology has attempted to inculcate scientific methods of research and study. By doing so, it aims to arrive at an objective evaluation and a deeper understanding of social phenomena.

In sociological studies, utmost importance is given to developing a sociological perspective that requires critical thinking skills and the ability to measure and gather both quantitative and qualitative evidence to assess sociological queries.

Did you know? With an educational background in sociology, you can work in the development sector, private sector, and public sector. With roles in human resources, teaching, policy, academia to even corporate. Thus, the scope of sociology covers a vast area of career paths, ranging from roles in the social sector to private firms.

In this text, we will further examine the scope of sociology, especially in the Indian context. Read along to learn more about the applications of sociology in terms of its scope, career path, and job opportunities!

Also Read: Best Career Options in Sociology

Scope of MA in Sociology: Career Opportunities & Top Job Roles in 2025

Sociology examines and interrogates various social institutions, social processes, and social changes to better understand how societies function and evolve. Since it is an all-encompassing discipline, it inculcates subject matter and studies from other disciplines of social science like history, psychology, anthropology, political science, and economics. 

Interdisciplinarity improves research and policymaking by generating a more comprehensive understanding of complex social challenges and encouraging collaborative solutions across sectors. This, in turn, broadens the scope and  significance of sociology, both as an area of study and practice

Career opportunities after M.A Sociology can generate paths across different sectors, ranging from academia, media, policy-making, healthcare, consultancy, non-profit as well as corporate sector.

 

Explore upGrad’s Research Methodology Courses and upscale your research skills!

 

We shall further decode top career opportunities and job opportunities after M.A Sociology, delving deeper into the scope of sociology in India:

What is the Scope of Sociology?

The scope of sociology in India is exceptionally huge and complex due to the presence of varied cultures and sociopolitical segments. And why wouldn’t it be? With unique ascribed statuses like “caste”, forming a huge chunk of Indian sociological text. 

With methods like comparative analysis, historical studies, and participant observation in field research, sociology inculcates an in-depth study of the vast web of relationships within various societal institutions.

Moreover, with a greater scope of interdisciplinary study,  more research opportunities arise for people looking to delve into the research study path.

The subject matter of sociology inculcates all aspects of social construct, from the family and kinship to the state, from social stratification structures of race and caste to culture, and religion, and from social stability to radical changes and disruptions in social order. 

People are often under the misconception that a career in social science or sociology doesn't hold any lucrative options. But this is not true at all.  Did you know? The average sociologist salary in India can be INR 13.79 lakhs for a medium to senior professional.

It all depends on your area of specialization, study, and practice. Thus, the scope of sociology also embodies high salary options, given that you navigate your career in the right direction.

Here are a few examples of subject areas that come under the scope of sociology as a discipline of study:

• Sociology of Development
• Sociology of Education
• Gender and Society
• Social Stratification studies
• Economy and Polity
• Sociological Research Methods
• Family, Kinship, and Marriage
• Sociology of Work or Industrial Sociology
• Social and Religious Reform Movements
• Medical Sociology
• Urban Sociology
• Minorities and Ethnic Groups
• Subaltern Studies

Also Read: Difference between Psychology and Sociology

Top Private jobs after M.A Sociology

The private sector provides a multitude of job opportunities after M.A Sociology in India. We have been witnessing an increasing demand for sociologists as businesses and organizations have started valuing the importance of understanding social dynamics, consumer behavior, and cultural contexts in a diverse and complex market, such as that of India.

As organizations focus on inculcating diversity and inclusion norms, the need for individuals from specialized disciplines like sociology has led to a rise in demand for sociology professionals.

Below is a table presenting some top jobs in the private sector after M.A sociology:

JOB PROFILE	AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Market Research Analyst	5 lakhs
Community Outreach Coordinator	7 lakhs
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager	10 lakhs
Human Resources Specialist	7 lakhs
Training and Development Manager	8.1 lakhs
Policy Analyst	8 lakhs
Public Relations Specialist	6 lakhs
Social Media Manager	5.5 lakhs

Source: AmbitionBox, Glassdoor

Top Government Jobs after M.A Sociology

The public sector in India is huge and caters to an audience of 140 crores of Indians. Due to its vast requirements, the public sector has a plethora of lucrative career paths for M.A. sociology graduates in India.

In fact, government jobs are one of the most sought-after career routes for sociology students. Sociological studies in India enable you to deeply study the nuances of societal structures, organizations, culture, religion, gender, sociology of work, health, and politics. This equips sociologists with a transdisciplinary knowledge set, which is quite crucial in understanding the socio-cultural, political, and economic landscape of India for better administration.

The public sector in India has been given consideration and importance to sociological insights for successful governance, policymaking, and community development, making it an appealing career path for graduates.

The following table lists the top government jobs after M.A Sociology in India in 2025:

PROFILE	APPROXIMATE MONTHLY SALARY* (For Freshers)
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)	INR 56,100
Indian Police Service (IPS)	INR 56,100
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)	INR 60000
Research Officer	INR 33000
Professor/Lecturer	INR 53000
Social Welfare Officer	INR 38000
Community Development Officer	INR 25000
Public Health Administrator	INR 32000

Source: AmbitionBox, Glassdoor, Testbook, PayScale

*Note: These salaries for various government jobs are subject to variation depending on the TA, DA, NPS, and any other variable or additional compensation benefits for central or state government employees.

Read further here: Salary of M.A Sociology.

Top recruiting industries hiring MA sociology graduates

In India, several sectors and industries are on the lookout for M.A. Sociology graduates for a variety of roles.

Due to a growing recognition being given to the applicability of sociological ideas in a variety of areas, MA Sociology graduates can find a wide range of fulfilling careers in these businesses ranging from CSR, education, non-profit, and research to healthcare.

Take a look at the table below to navigate career opportunities after an M.A. in sociology in India according to specific industries, roles, and hiring organizations.

Industry	Job Profile	Top Hiring Companies
Social Services/ Non-Profit	Program Coordinator	UNDP, Oxfam India
Public Relations and Communications	PR Specialist,  Corporate Communication Manager	Edelman, FleishmanHillard
Education	Educational Consultant,  Program Director	Teach For India, TISS
Market Research	Market Research Analyst	Nielsen, Ipsos
Human Resources	HR Specialist,  Training and Development Manager	Cognizant, TCS
Consulting	Social Consultant,  Change Management Consultant	Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte
Healthcare	Health Educator,  Community Outreach Coordinator	Public Health Foundation of India, Max Healthcare
Media and Journalism	Content Writer Social Media Manager	BBC India, The Times of India
Government and Public Policy	Policy Analyst Research Associate	Centre for Policy Research, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Also Read: Scope of MA in Political Science

Useful Skills for a Career through Sociology

Interested in pursuing a career in sociology or aiming to establish expertise in a sociological specialization? Then, you must be adept in certain skills that will aid your career development.  

Having a stronghold of the following skills will ensure that you can pursue your desired role of work:

1. Research Skills: Whether you partake in qualitative research or quantitative research, you need to be skilled in methods of research to conduct successful research assignments. Sociological research for dealing with both primary and secondary forms of data is crucial to come up with useful sociological findings.

2. Data Analysis: As you navigate your research with various forms of data, you must also be able to draw conclusions and inferences from your collected data through accurate analysis and interpretation. Being skilled at data analysis will certainly aid your sociological research and career.

Master this crucial skill now with this 9-hour-long Data Analysis course!

3. Critical Thinking and Adaptability: The ability to view your collected research or the information at your disposal with a sociological perspective requires you be deeply adopt a critical thinking and analytical outlook towards your methods of study.

Moreover, as you will be studying dynamic fragments of societal concepts and phenomena, being adaptable to adopt newer methods of approach and study when encountering sudden or unexpected changes will help you greatly.

4. Problem Solving: Whether you are conducting ethnographic research in an unknown place or are sifting through archival documents, problem-solving skills are a must for you. As you resort to coming up with possible solutions to existing social phenomena, these skills become a must!

 

Check out upGrad’s Problem Solving Certificate for absolutely free!

 

5. Communication skills: These are undoubtedly the core skills that you need to be proficient in. Effective communication with your respondents and interviewees, as well as with organizational management will help you better understand and navigate your tasks to answer your sociological questions.

 

You may have a look at upGrad’s Free Soft Skills Courses to master these crucial skills!

 

Future Trends in Sociology in India

Sociology constantly evolves to be at par with social changes and the amalgamation of newer discourse in its fold.  As such, the future of sociological trends in India is expected to witness a dramatic shift to ever-changing social dynamics, technological breakthroughs, and growing global challenges. 

We can predict the interplay of the following trends in sociological study in India:

• With an even sturdier aim to promote diversity and inclusion(D&E) in all forms of structural organizations, attempts shall be made to assess systemic shortcomings and challenges, and the consequent solutions to implement.
• Increased importance to the sociology of health studies to better prepare for future health shifts and disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic that shook health systems in place with its unprecedented and crushing effects on the Indian health system.
• The impact of technology, the prominence of AI and automation, and their consequent implications shall be included in the study of social media and digital social interactions.
• The scope of globalization studies shall be revisited to comprehend the impact of the effects of global interactions, cross-border migration, and demography.

Conclusion

We hope that with our insight into the sociology scope in India, you now have a better idea of the possibilities and opportunities in India. With a solid and in-depth understanding of social issues, social structures, and stratification factors, sociology graduates in India cater to the needs of a range of industries ranging from education, research, health, public administration, and policy-making.

Moreover, with the upcoming newer trends and patterns in social dynamics, the scope of sociological study and relevance in the job market will increase multifold. This will give rise to the demand for skilled sociology professionals for various segments of the market.

Hence, an M.A. sociology scope is expected to grow and advance, widening the horizon of career opportunities and job roles for sociology graduates and professionals in India. Start your career now and take a step towards driving social and developmental change today!

In case, you’d like to explore some cross-functional options for your higher education or receive career guidance, you may book a free counseling session with us!

References:

https://www.cheggindia.com/career-guidance/scope-of-sociology/
https://www.du.ac.in/du/uploads/pg-courses/M.A._sociology_1572010.pdf
https://www.jnu.ac.in/sss/csss-ma_programme 
https://www.adda247.com/upsc-exam/ias-salary/?srsltid=AfmBOopeF1Am1ptyjSraEUJR8jMTgIp--mHe33f-OOkRfPlxNqBI_ILv
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/community-development-officer-salary-SRCH_KO0,29.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/research-officer-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/market-research-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/community-outreach-coordinator-salary-SRCH_KO0,30.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/corporate-social-responsibility-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,39.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/hr-specialist-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/public-relations-specialist-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/social-media-manager-salary
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/policy-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/manager-training-and-development-salary