What is the Best Strategy to Prepare for IAS Anthropology Optional

Anthropology is a popular optional paper among aspirants and it is the best scoring optional subject in UPSC mains. If you maintain a structured study plan and follow some strategy throughout your preparation then you can easily score 300+ in anthropology optional.

In this article, we will discuss best strategy to prepare for IAS anthropology optional by Pradip Sarkar. Pradip Sarkar is the founder and director of Sapiens IAS, who has 18 years of experience in teaching anthropology optional coaching online and offline in both sections. He has a track record of producing toppers and many successful IPS/IAS at Sapiens IAS.

If you follow Pradip Sarkar’s anthropology optional strategy then you can score good marks in anthropology optional in the UPSC mains exam.

Best Strategy to Prepare for IAS Anthropology Optional

Here are some best strategies to prepare for anthropology optional subject by top UPSC faculty, Pradip Sarkar:

1. Select Quality Study Materials: Choose quality textbooks and resource materials that cover the eight major areas of the syllabus: Anthropology Basics, Socio-cultural Anthropology, Anthropological Theories and Research Methods, Linguistic Anthropology, Physical or Biological Anthropology, Archaeological Anthropology, Indian Society, and Indian Tribes.
2. Solve Previous Years’ Papers: Analyze and solve anthropology optional previous years’ question papers to identify important topics and also help you understand the exam pattern. At least solve the past 5-10 year’s question papers to improve time management skills and identify strengths and weaknesses. Then Note areas where you performed well and areas that need improvement.
3. Use Case Studies and Diagrams: Anthropology has an advantage as an optional subject to use diagrams, case studies and flowcharts in your answer that saves time while writing answers and also increases overall marks. So, Regularly revise interesting case studies and diagrams related to anthropology topics and practice these to use in your answer properly.
4. Attempt Mock Tests and Test Series: Practice mock tests regularly to simulate exam conditions and improve time management skills. Join quality test series like Sapiens IAS anthropology test series designed to compete around the nation to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Practice Writing Answers Daily: Anthropology optional requires a lot of writing, so practice answering questions on a daily basis is important to improve your answer writing skills. You can also solve previous year’s question papers within the time frame that helps you to understand what type of questions are typically asked and how to structure your answers.
6. Study Toppers Answer Sheets: Analyze answer sheets of previous toppers to understand their strategies and how they write an answer that can improve your scores. Their answer sheets offer valuable guidance on content coverage, use of examples, incorporation of diagrams and overall presentation style.
7. Guidance From Experienced UPSC Faculty: If you can, try to find an experienced teacher or mentor like Pradip Sarkar who is knowledgeable about this optional. An experienced UPSC anthropology faculty can help you identify areas where you need to focus more and provide feedback on your answers.