Post Name : UPSC Anthropology Syllabus 2024, Mains Optional Paper PDF
Post Date : 24 January , 2024
Post Description: Among the 48 optional subjects listed by UPSC for the IAS Exam, Anthropology stands out most popular subject among students. The Anthropology syllabus for the UPSC Exam emphasizes candidates’ comprehension of the subject as a science and their capacity to apply that knowledge to address real-world challenges. The syllabus encompasses various topics encompassing human evolution, social structures, cultural evolution, and development, providing candidates with a comprehensive understanding of these aspects
What is Anthropology?
Anthropology is a field of study that explores and examines human beings and their societies, both past and present, from a holistic perspective. It is a multidisciplinary subject that combines elements of social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. Anthropologists seek to understand human diversity, cultural practices, social structures, beliefs, and behaviours through systematic research and analysis.
Anthropology Syllabus for UPSC
Candidates who opt for Anthropology as their optional subject in the UPSC exam will discover that the UPSC Anthropology Syllabus primarily revolves around development issues and topics related to Indian culture. This makes it a relatively accessible subject for candidates with backgrounds in teaching, social work, sociology, and related fields. However, to effectively prepare for the exam, candidates should have a thorough understanding of the UPSC Mains Syllabus and exam pattern.
UPSC Anthropology Syllabus 2024
Anthropology is a favoured choice among science graduates as an optional subject for the UPSC mains exam. The syllabus for Anthropology is released annually by the UPSC Commission in conjunction with the UPSC Notification Below we shared a detailed overview of the UPSC Anthropology Syllabus 2024.
UPSC Anthropology Syllabus for Paper 1
The UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Anthropology optional subject Paper 1 is indeed divided into 12 parts, each covering specific topics. The Anthropology syllabus for UPSC encompasses the following areas.
| Anthropology Syllabus for Paper 1 | |
|---|---|
| Topic | Details |
| 1) Meaning, Scope, and Development of Anthropology | Study of human beings and their societies from a holistic perspective. |
| 1.1) Relationships with Other Disciplines | Interdisciplinary connections with sociology, psychology, biology, history, and linguistics. |
| 1.2) Main Branches of Anthropology and Their Scope | Physical Anthropology, Archaeological Anthropology, and Social/Cultural Anthropology. |
| 1.3) Human Evolution and the Emergence of Man | Study of human evolution, hominid fossils, and the emergence of modern humans. |
| 1.4) The Biological Basis of Life | Examination of genetics, human growth and development, and the biological aspects of human life. |
| 1.5) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology | Study of archaeological investigation, principles, and chronology of prehistoric cultures. |
| 1.6) Cultural Evolution | Analysis of cultural changes and transformations across time and societies. |
| 2) Nature of Culture, Society, Marriage, Family, and Kinship | Exploration of culture, society, marriage, family, kinship, and their variations in different cultures. |
| 3) Economic Organization | Study of economic systems, modes of production, exchange, and consumption in societies. |
| 4) Political Organization and Social Control | Analysis of political systems, governance structures, power relations, and mechanisms of social control. |
| 5) Religion | Examination of religious beliefs, practices, rituals, and their cultural significance. |
| 6) Anthropological Theories | Study of various theoretical perspectives used in anthropology, including evolutionism and functionalism. |
| 7) Culture, Language, and Communication | Exploration of the relationship between culture, language, and patterns of communication. |
| 8) Research Methods in Anthropology | Utilization of methods such as participant observation, interviews, surveys, and analysis. |
| 9) Human Genetics | Study of genetics and its application to understanding human variation and genetic diseases. |
| 10) Concept of Human Growth and Development | Examination of the processes and factors influencing human growth and development. |
| 11) Relevance of Menarche, Menopause, and Other Bioevents | Study of the implications of menarche, menopause, and biological milestones for fertility patterns and differentials. |
| 12) Applications of Anthropology | Practical applications of anthropological insights in fields such as development, public health, and policy-making |
UPSC Anthropology Syllabus for Paper 2
The UPSC Anthropology Optional Syllabus for Paper 2 consists of 9 units, which are as follows:
UPSC Anthropology Optional Syllabus – Paper 2
There are 6 topics covered in the UPSC Anthropology Syllabus for optional paper 2 of mains exam. The anthropology syllabus for optional paper 2 is shorter as compared with the syllabus for optional paper 1 of the mains exam. Have a look at the official anthropology syllabus for IAS mains optional paper 2 in the table below.
- Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization
- Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic
- Chalcolithic).
- Protohistoric (Indus Civilization): Pre- Harappan, Harappan and post- Harappan cultures.Contributions of tribal cultures to Indian civilization.
- Palaeo
- Anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).
- Ethno-archaeology in India:
- The concept of ethnoarchaeology;
- Survivals and Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including arts and crafts producing communities.
- Demographic profile of India
- Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their distribution.
- Indian population – factors influencing its structure and growth.
- The structure and nature of the traditional Indian social system
- Varnashram,
- Purushartha,
- Karma,
- Rina and Rebirth.
- 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.
- Sacred Complex and Nature
- Man
- Spirit Complex.
- Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society.
- Emergence and growth of anthropology in India-Contributions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.
- 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.
- Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status.
- 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.
- Tribal situation in India:
- Bio-genetic variability, linguistic and socio-economic characteristics of tribal populations and their distribution.
- Problems of the tribal Communities
- Land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low literacy, poor educational facilities, unemployment, underemployment, health and nutrition.
- Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement
- Problems of rehabilitation.
- Development of forest policy and tribals.
- Impact of urbanization and industrialization on tribal populations.
- Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
- Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
- Social change and contemporary tribal societies:
- Impact of modern democratic institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.
- 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.
- Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.
- Tribe and nation state – a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other countries.
- 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.
- Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.
- Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism, and ethnic and political movements.
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper Pattern
UPSC Recruitment is based on three stages i.e., Prelim Exam, Mains Exam and an Interview. The candidates get to choose their optional subjects for Paper VI & VII. Here are the details about the UPSC Anthropology exam pattern for IAS mains exam:
- There will be two papers for the Anthropology Optional Subject.
- Each paper would comprise 250 marks, which makes it 500 marks in total.
- There is no negative marking.
- Each paper would have objective answer-type questions.
| Sr. No. | Mains Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Paper VI | Anthropology Optional Paper-I | 250 |
| 2. | Paper VII | Anthropology Optional Paper-II | 250 |
| Total Marks | 500 | ||
| Time Duration | 3 hours | ||
