Anthropology Optional Syllabus for UPSC
The UPSC Anthropology optional is examined in two Mains papers of 250 marks each, 500 marks in total. Paper I has 13 topics and Paper II has 8 topics, listed below with their subtopics.
Anthropology Paper I syllabus
1. Foundations
- Meaning, scope, branches
- Relationship with other disciplines
2. Human Evolution
- Theories, primate taxonomy, fossil records
3. Prehistoric Archaeology
- Dating methods, cultural evolution
4. Culture & Society
- Concept of culture, social institutions
- Marriage, family, kinship
5. Economic & Political Organization
- Subsistence patterns, political systems
6. Religion
- Anthropological approaches, forms of religion
7. Anthropological Theories
- Evolutionism, functionalism, structuralism, post-modernism
8. Research Methods
- Fieldwork, tools, data analysis
9. Human Genetics
- Mendelian principles, chromosomal aberrations
10. Race & Variation
- Racial traits, genetic markers
11. Growth & Development
- Stages, influencing factors
12. Applied Anthropology
- Forensic anthropology — skeletal identification, age/sex determination
- Nutritional anthropology — dietary patterns, growth assessment
- Anthropology of sports
- Applications in tribal development, policy formulation
13. Ecological & Epidemiological Anthropology
- Bio-cultural adaptations — genetic and non-genetic factors
- Physiological responses to environmental stresses — hot desert, cold, high altitude
- Epidemiological anthropology — health & disease; infectious vs non-infectious diseases
- Medical anthropology — illness behaviour, ethno-medicine, health policy
Anthropology Paper II syllabus
1. Indian Culture & Civilization
- Prehistoric & protohistoric phases
- Vedic & post-Vedic periods
2. Demography
- Ethnic & linguistic elements
3. Social Systems
- Caste, tribe, village studies
4. Processes of Change
- Sanskritization, modernization
5. Tribal Issues
- Land alienation, displacement, health
6. Development Programs
- Role of NGOs, welfare measures
7. Ethnic Conflicts
- Regionalism, autonomy demands
8. Role of Anthropology
- Tribal development, policy formulation
Other Social Sciences optionals
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