Synopsis This book ideally covers courses prescribed in Indian Universities in sociology for the papers; principles of sociology; essentials of sociology; fundamentals of sociology to mention a few. Meant to serve as a textbook, it discusses all the essentials and intentionally ignores those topics which are irrelevant. Thus, it is at once concise, relevant and also detailed and exhaustive. It deals with social phenomena; society, social institutions and association; communities, groups and factors determining these. It includes social change, social control and social processes. Although its subject-matter has been drawn from standard books published in the west, it has been discussed in Indian setting. While its method of presentation is analytic, it has adopted holistic and integral approach on controversial issues. With actual university questions at the end of each chapter, this book intends to facilitate examination preparation.