Anthropology Syllabus for UPSC Mains:
Short Outline of Anthropology UPSC Syllabus
Paper I
- Definition and scope of Anthropology.
- Interdisciplinary connections with other subjects.
- Various branches of Anthropology.
- The evolution of Homo sapiens.
- Primates and their significance.
- Phylogenetic status, hominids, Neanderthal man, Homo sapiens, etc.
- Biological basis of life – cellular structure, DNA, genetic mutations.
- Prehistoric Archaeology and its relevance.
- Cultural aspects in Anthropology.
- Societal structures, Marriage, Family, Kinship.
- Economic organization in societies.
- Political organization and Social Control mechanisms.
- Religious beliefs and practices.
- Theoretical approaches in Anthropology.
- Culture, language and communication.
- Research methodologies in Anthropology.
- Human Genetics and its role in Anthropology.
- Concept of Race and racism.
- Epidemiological Anthropology and its relevance.
- Human growth and development, fertility factors.
- Demographic theories and their application.
- Practical applications of Anthropology.
Paper-II
- Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization.
- Demographic profile of India.
- Traditional Indian social system, caste, etc.
- Emergence and growth of anthropology in India.
- Indian Village, Linguistic and religious minorities, socio-cultural change in Indian society.
- Tribal societies in India.
- Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
Get the detailed syllabus of Anthropology for UPSC in the linked article.
UPSC Anthropology Syllabus: Download PDF Here
Why Choose Anthropology as an Optional Subject?
- If you have a background in anthropology.
- Science students can also opt for this subject as the scientific elements in anthropology can make it easier to understand.
- If you have a genuine interest in this subject, it can be an excellent choice for the optional.
- This subject covers both biological and social topics. The biology-related topics like in physical anthropology are scoring as they are not subjective.
- A good understanding of anthropology also aids in your Ethics and Essay paper.
- A plethora of quality study material for anthropology in the IAS exam is easily available.
Preparation Tips & Strategy for IAS Anthropology Optional
- Understand the basics of each topic. This will help you draw connections between topics, which is crucial in anthropology.
- Always correlate topics while studying and writing answers. Try and develop interrelationships among the topics. Understand the commonality among concepts (for example, synthetic theory and race formation, though appears to be different are related concepts).
- Understanding theories in anthropology is essential for a good understanding of social anthropology concepts like marriage, family, kinship, political organisation, etc.
- Always apply concepts to current issues affecting people; and which are in the news regularly. Tribal issues and concerns are very important. Link current problems and realities especially in the Indian context to theoretical concepts.
- Practise drawing diagrams for the physical anthropology part since they fetch more marks and also help explain concepts better.
- Always make good notes while you prepare as it helps you remember more and enables better revision.
- Always refer to the previous year question papers while you prepare so that you get a fair idea about the type of questions and the important topics to study.
Click here for the previous year anthropology IAS mains question papers.
How to Write Answers in Anthropology Optional Paper for UPSC?
- Always present concepts and facts in a simple and lucid manner.
- Avoid overcomplicating things. Endeavor to present solutions to problems.
- Avoid being too theoretical. The change in UPSC pattern in 2015 implies that you need to write short, crisp answers. Questions require answers from 150 to 350 words, rather than long essay type answers. So, include relevant points within the word count.
- Support your descriptions with diagrams for the physical anthropology section. For example, consider the following question asked in IAS mains anthropology optional paper I 2010:
Q) Why are Neanderthals called Premodern humans? Discuss the Upper of their coexistence with modern man. (30)
In this question, if you provide diagrams of skeletons and dentitions, your answer will definitely have an edge over those without diagrams.
Even in non-physical anthropology, provide flowcharts, cycles, graphs, and pictures to enhance your answers. For example, consider the following question asked in IAS mains anthropology optional paper I 2010:
Q) Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 15×4=60
The problem of bonded labour among Indian tribes.
To answer this question, you can provide flowcharts or a cycle showing the various causes of bonded labour among tribes in India (poverty, indebtedness, loss of shifting cultivation, land alienation, etc).
Another example from IAS mains anthropology optional paper I 2015:
Q) Write notes on the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
Longitudinal method of studying growth.
You can enhance your answer by providing a graph showing the relation between height gain and age. Always be updated with current events and write about them in your answers. This is especially relevant for social anthropology.
Consider the following question that was featured in the IAS mains anthropology optional paper II 2011:
Q)Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 15×4=60
Left-wing extremism and tribal in India.
Here, you must answer with a focus on current events.
Include case studies in your answers to generic questions, especially in Paper-II. A few topics for which case studies could be collected and quoted are:
- Linguistic and religious minorities, Panchayati Raj, tribal topics, SC, ST & OBCs, ethnicity, and impact of major religions on tribal societies.
- Give subheadings.
- Try to answer all the questions from the physical anthropology section as they are most scoring.
Recommended Study Material for Anthropology Optional for IAS:
- Physical Anthropology – P. Nath
- Outlines of Physical Anthropology – B.M.Das
- An Introduction to Social Anthropology – Majumdar & Madan
- Indian anthropology – R.N.Sharma
- Indian Anthropology – Nadeem Hasnain (Good source of case studies)
- An Introduction to Social Anthropology – Makhan Jha
- Tribal India – Nadeem Hasnain
- Internet and Newspapers for current events.
Important Topics for Anthropology Optional:
- Holism
- Linguistic anthropology
- Relevance of anthropology
- Branches of anthropology, various dating techniques
- Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Cultures
- Neolithic revolution
- Copper bronze age
- Culture, civilization
- Society
- Marriage
- Family
- Language, culture and communication
- Research methodology – genealogical method, observation, techniques of data interpretation, fieldwork significance in anthropology
- Tribal topics
Trends in Previous Year Question Papers
Questions on law and justice: These have been regularly asked in UPSC anthropology papers in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2014.
Example question from 2014 anthropology paper I:-
Q) Discuss the nature of Law and Justice in simple societies citing suitable examples. (20)
Example question from 1996 anthropology paper I:-
Q) Differentiate between centralized political systems and stateless political systems, and state how law and justice are administered in stateless societies. (200 words)
Questions on marriage: these have been asked in 1983, 1986, 1989, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Example question from 2014 anthropology paper I:-
Q) Define marriage and describe the various types of marriages in human societies. (15)
Example question from 2015 anthropology paper I:-
Q) How did Morgan explain the evolution of marriage, family and Socio-Political organization, and how did other evolutionists disagree with his explanation? (20)
Questions on family: these have been asked in 1984, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2015.
Example question from 1998 anthropology paper I:-
Q) Do you agree with the view that family is a ‘universal association? Critically examine the above statement. (200 words)
Questions on pre-history: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014.
Example question from 2007 anthropology paper II:-
Q) Write short notes on any three of the following in about 200 words each: 20×3=60
(a) Neolithic Culture
Example question from 2009 anthropology paper II:-
Q) Examine the contribution of Mesolithic culture to the rise of Neolithic culture. (10)
Questions on organic evolution: these have been asked in 1981, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2002 and 2010.
Example question from 2002 anthropology paper I:-
Q) What is Organic Evolution? Explain the theories of evolution. (200 words)
Questions on race: These have been asked in 1988, 1991, 2011, 2013 and 2016.
Example question from 2016 anthropology paper I:-
Q) Explain the role of heredity and environment in the formation of races. (15)
Questions on tribal or rural development: These are very important and have been asked in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1992, 2005, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Example question from 2016 anthropology paper II:-
Q) Describe how various tribal development programs and plans have impacted the process of social transformation among tribes. (15)
Example questions from 2015 anthropology paper II:-
Q) Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
i. Relevance of tribal Panchsheel today
ii. Rights over resources and tribal unrest
Q) Discuss how constitutional provisions in India have built-in mechanisms for dealing with the problem of land alienation in tribal areas. (20)
Example questions from 2014 anthropology paper II:
Q) Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
i.Biogenetic variations of Indian tribes
ii. Social and economic marginalization of tribal people
iii. Forest policy and tribes
iv. The concept of PTG
v. Impact of Christianity on tribes
Q) Discuss the impact of Globalization on the livelihood of the tribal populations. (20)
The Significance of Anthropology in General Studies Paper-IV
Anthropology and ethics share a close connection. Anthropology provides insights into human societies and cultures, and ethics is an integral part of these societies. By providing information on human nature, society, and values, the study of anthropology aids in decision-making when faced with an ethical dilemma. Concepts in this subject that can assist in decision-making in the ethics paper include holism, cultural relativism, functional equilibrium model, and insider’s point of view.
