Anthropology Optional Syllabus for UPSC

Why Choose Anthropology as Your Optional Subject for UPSC

• Diverse and Well-Rounded: Anthropology covers a wide range of topics. It covers subjects like sociology, psychology, biology, history, and linguistics. This means you’ll get a well-rounded understanding of human behaviour and how societies work.
• Covers Current Events: Anthropology also helps you cover current affairs. It lets you explore current social issues, like migration, gender, globalisation, and indigenous rights, from a cultural and societal perspective.
• Sharpens Critical Thinking: When you study anthropology, you learn to think critically about different cultures and societies. This approach would help you to develop a critical thinking that would help you in answer writing for the Mains exam.
• Builds Research Skills: Anthropology puts a lot of focus on research. You’ll gain skills in gathering, analysing, and interpreting data, that would help you in your UPSC preparation journey.
• Manageable Syllabus: If you compare it with other optional subjects, the anthropology optional syllabus is considered manageable. This would help you cover your syllabus for this optional in a short time.
• Good Scoring Potential: Anthropology is known to be a subject where students can score well. The questions are usually straightforward, and there’s a significant overlap with the general studies part of the exam. With good mentorship, you can score 300+ in this subject.

The UPSC Anthropology Optional Syllabus 

Here is an overview of the UPSC Anthropology optional Paper 1 Syllabus

1.1 Meaning, Scope and development of Anthropology.

1.2 Relationships with other disciplines: Social Sciences, behavioural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Earth Sciences and Humanities.

1.3 Main branches of Anthropology, their scope and relevance:

(a) Social-cultural Anthropology.

(b) Biological Anthropology.

(c) Archaeological Anthropology.

(d) Linguistic Anthropology.

1.4 Human Evolution and Emergence of Man:

(a) Biological and Cultural factors in human evolution.

(b) Theories of Organic Evolution (Pre-Darwinian, Darwinian and Post-Darwinian).

(c) Synthetic theory of evolution; Brief outline of terms and concepts of evolutionary biology (Doll’s rule, Cope’s rule, Gause’s rule, parallelism, convergence, adaptive radiation, and mosaic evolution).

1.5 Characteristics of Primates; Evolutionary Trend and Primate Taxonomy; Primate Adaptations; (Arboreal and Terrestrial) Primate Taxonomy; Primate Behaviour; Tertiary and Quaternary fossil primates; Living Major Primates; Comparative Anatomy of Man and Apes; Skeletal changes due to erect posture and its implications.

1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution of the following:

(a) Plio-Pleistocene hominids in South and East Africa—Australopithecines.

(b) Homo erectus: Africa (Paranthropus), Europe (Homo erectus (heidelbergensis), Asia (Homo erectus javanicus, Homo erectus pekinensis.

(c) Neanderthal man—La-chapelle-aux-saints (Classical type), Mt. Carmel (Progressive type).

(d) Rhodesian man.

(e) Homo sapiens—Cromagnon, Grimaldi and Chancelade.

1.7 The biological basis of Life: The Cell, DNA structure and replication, Protein Synthesis, Gene, Mutation, Chromosomes, and Cell Division.

1.8 (a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology. Chronology: Relative and Absolute Dating methods.

(b) Cultural Evolution—Broad Outlines of Prehistoric Cultures:

2.1 The Nature of Culture: The Concept and Characteristics of Culture and civilization; Ethnocentrism vis-a-vis Cultural Relativism.

2.2 The Nature of Society: Concept of Society; Society and Culture; Social Institution; Social groups; and Social stratification.

2.3 Marriage: Definition and universality; Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy, hypogamy, incest taboo); Type of marriage (monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, group marriage). Functions of marriage; Marriage regulations (preferential, prescriptive and proscriptive); Marriage payments (bride wealth and dowry).

2.4 Family: Definition and universality; Family, household and domestic groups; functions of family; Types of family (from the perspectives of structure, blood relation, marriage, residence and succession); Impact of urbanization, industrialization and feminist movements on family.

2.5 Kinship: Consanguinity and Affinity; Principles and types of descent (Unilineal, Double, Bilateral Ambilineal); Forms of descent groups (lineage, clan, phratry, moiety and kindred); Kinship terminology (descriptive and classificatory); Descent, Filiation and Complimentary Filiation;Descent and Alliance.

Economic Organization: Meaning, scope and relevance of economic anthropology; Formalist and Substantivist debate; Principles governing production, distribution and exchange (reciprocity, redistribution and market), in communities, subsisting on hunting and gathering, fishing, swiddening, pastoralism, horticulture, and agriculture; globalization and indigenous economic systems.

Political Organization and Social Control: Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; concepts of power, authority and legitimacy; social control, law and justice in simple Societies.

Religion: Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in tribal and peasant Societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and science distinguished; magico-religious functionaries (priest, shaman, medicine man, sorcerer and witch).

Anthropological theories:

7. Culture, Language and Communication: Nature, origin and characteristics of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social context of language use.
8. Research methods in Anthropology

9.1 Human Genetics : Methods and Application : Methods for study of genetic principles in man-family study (pedigree analysis, twin study, foster child, co-twin method, cytogenetic method, chromosome and karyo-type analysis), biochemical methods, immunological methods, D.N.A. technology and recombinant technologies.

9.2 Mendelian genetics in man-family study, single factor, multifactor, lethal, sub-lethal and polygenic inheritance in man.

9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection, Mendelian population, Hardy-Weinberg law; causes and changes which bring down frequency-mutation, isolation, migration, selection, inbreeding and genetic drift. Consanguineous and non-consanguineous mating, genetic load, genetic effect of consanguineous and cousin marriages.

9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man, methodology.

(a) Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders).

(b) Sex chromosomal aberration- Klinefelter (XXY), Turner (XO), Super female (XXX), intersex and other syndromic disorders.

(c) Autosomal aberrations- Down syndrome, Patau, Edward and Cri-du-chat syndromes.

(d) Genetic imprints in human disease, genetic screening, genetic counseling, human DNA profiling, gene mapping and genome study.

9.5 Race and racism, biological basis of morphological variation of non-metric and characters. Racial criteria, racial traits in relation to heredity and environment; biological basis of racial classification, racial differentiation and race crossing in man.

9.6 Age, sex and population variation as genetic markers : ABO, Rh blood groups, HLA Hp, transferring, Gm, blood enzymes. Physiological characteristics-Hb level, body fat, pulse rate, respiratory functions and sensory perceptions in different cultural and socio-economic groups.

9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology : Bio-cultural Adaptations—Genetic and Non-genetic factors. Man’s physiological responses to environmental stresses: hot desert, cold, high altitude climate.

9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology : Health and disease. Infectious and non-infectious diseases, Nutritional deficiency related diseases.

11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bioevents to fertility. Fertility patterns and differentials.

11.2 Demographic theories-biological, social and cultural.

11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality.

12. Applications of Anthropology: Anthropology of sports, Nutritional anthropology, Anthropology in designing of defence and other equipments, Forensic Anthropology, Methods and principles of personal identification and reconstruction, Applied human genetics—Paternity diagnosis, genetic counseling and eugenics, DNA technology in diseases and medicine, serogenetics and cytogenetics in reproductive biology.

Here is an overview of the UPSC Anthropology optional Paper II Syllabus

1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization— Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic-Chalcolithic), Protohistoric (Indus Civilization). Pre-Harappan, Harappan and post- Harappan cultures. Contributions of the tribal cultures to Indian civilization.

1.2 Palaeo—Anthropological evidence from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).

1.3. Ethno-archaeology in India: The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including arts and crafts producing communities.

2. Demographic profile of India—Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their distribution. Indian population—factors influencing its structure and growth.

3.1 The structure and nature of the traditional Indian social system—Varnashrama, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth.

3.2 Caste system in India— Structure and characteristics Varna and caste, Theories of origin of caste system, Dominant caste, Caste mobility, Future of caste system, Jajmani system. Tribe-caste continuum.

3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex.

3.4. Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity of Indian society.

4.Emergence, growth and development in India— Contributions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.

5.1 Indian Village—Significance of village study in India; Indian village as a social system; Traditional and changing patterns of settlement and inter-caste relations; Agrarian relations in Indian villages; Impact of globalization on Indian villages.

5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status.

5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society: Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great traditions; Panchayati Raj and social change; Media and Social change.

6.1 Tribal situation in India—Bio-genetic variability, linguistic and socio-economic characteristics of the tribal populations and their distribution.

6.2 Problems of the tribal Communities—Land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low literacy, poor educational facilities, unemployment, under-employment, health and nutrition.

6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement and problems of rehabilitation. Development of forest policy and tribals. Impact of urbanisation and industrialisation on tribal populations.

7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

7.2 Social change and contemporary tribal societies: Impact of modern democratic institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.

7.3 The concept of ethnicity; Ethnic conflicts and political developments; Unrest among tribal communities; Regionalism and demand for autonomy; Pseudo-tribalism. Social change among the tribes during colonial and post-Independent India.

8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.

8.2 Tribe and nation state—a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other countries.

9.1 History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal Groups), their distribution, special programmes for their development. Role of N.G.O.s in tribal development.

9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.

9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism and ethnic and political movements.

How to Prepare for Anthropology Optional for USPSC in Delhi

If you are serious about excelling in the Anthropology optional paper in the UPSC CSE, you need to follow these basic preparation strategies-

Analyze the Syllabus Thoroughly:

The first step to begin your Anthropology Preparation is to read and analyze in detail the syllabus for the optional paper. It will help you to get a good understanding of the subject matter.

Analyze Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

After the syllabus, the anthropology optional Previous Year’s Questions (PYQs) are very important for effective preparation. A detailed analysis of the PYQs helps in your preparation in identifying the topics that have high weightage and are to be prioritized. 

Focus on Conceptual Clarity:

If you want to score good marks in the anthropology paper, you need to focus upon conceptual clarity. So, while preparing a topic, your focus should be to build a basic understanding. 

Special Strategy for Current Affairs:

It is a well-established fact that the anthropology optional paper is current affairs driven. Thus, preparation for anthropology demands significant attention to current affairs. 

Join a Coaching Institute:

This is one of the best ways to prepare for Anthropology. Join the best coaching institute for Anthropology optional in Delhi and prepare effectively for Anthropology.

Analyze Case Studies:

If you want to be well prepared for Anthropology, you need to read real-world case studies as it would help you to understand the concepts better.

Key Highlights of Sapiens IAS Anthropology Optional Foundation Course

If you are concerned about choosing the best anthropology foundation course for UPSC, Sapiens IAS is the best for you. Our Anthropology Optional Foundation Course would help you understand the subject easily, teach the art of answer writing and help you score 300+ marks in your Mains exam.

• Completion of syllabus within 4 months
• 2 years of access to recorded class videos
• Free Mains Test Series on exact UPSC pattern
• Highly processed and updated study materials in ready-to-write format
• Daily class assignments followed by Personal Feedback Session
• Weekly test apart from test series
• Teaching in a highly organised manner with relevant examples and diagrams
• Discussion and Analysis Session of 100+ Real World Case Studies
• Dedicated Answer Writing Sessions.

Best Anthropology Optional UPSC Coaching in Delhi

If you are convinced about choosing Anthropology as your optional in the UPSC CSE Mains exam, you will require to enrol in the best IAS anthropology coaching in Delhi. That’s why, you should join the “Sapiens IAS Anthropology Foundation Course“. Here are the reasons, we are the best-

• Full Syllabus Coverage: Our Sapiens IAS Anthropology Optional Foundation Course covers the entire syllabus. We will cover both Paper 1 & Paper 2 of Anthropology.
• Expert Faculty: Sapiens IAS provides world class coaching facility to its students. Our expert anthropology optional faculty Pradip Sarkar sir who has over 18 years of experience would teach you.
• Test Series: Sapiens IAS offers an anthropology optional test series for UPSC mains. You can attend these both online and offline and test yourself on how your preparation is heading. 
• Personal Feedback Session: Pradip sir at Sapiens IAS provides a Personal Feedback Session to aspirants. You will receive detailed guidance on how to improve and elevate your preparation. 
• Master Presentation Skill: You will get guidance on how to properly introduce, wrap up, and organise facts. Pradip sir will conduct answer writing sessions to improve your writing skills.