100 Questions on Anthropology Optional for UPSC Civil Services

Introduction

Anthropology is a popular optional subject for UPSC aspirants due to its scientific approach, concise syllabus, and interdisciplinary scope. It covers the study of human evolution, society, culture, biological aspects, and applied anthropology. Practicing questions is an essential step for mastering this optional. Below is a compilation of 100 important questions categorized into chapters according to the UPSC Anthropology syllabus.

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Chapter 1: Meaning, Scope and Development of Anthropology

1. Define Anthropology and discuss its scope.
2. Explain the relationship of Anthropology with other disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, and History.
3. Discuss the branches of Anthropology and their relevance.
4. Trace the history and development of Anthropology as a discipline.
5. Explain the significance of holistic study in Anthropology.
6. Discuss the concept of Culture and Civilization in Anthropological context.
7. What are the different approaches to the study of man?
8. Describe the role of fieldwork in Anthropology.
9. Explain the importance of participant observation in anthropological research.
10. Compare and contrast Physical Anthropology and Social Anthropology.

Chapter 2: Physical/Biological Anthropology

11. Explain the concept of Human Evolution.
12. Describe the major stages in the evolutionary history of mankind.
13. Write short notes on Australopithecus.
14. Explain the significance of Homo habilis in human evolution.
15. Discuss the features of Neanderthals.
16. Explain the Out of Africa hypothesis.
17. Discuss Mendelian principles of inheritance.
18. What are chromosomal aberrations? Give examples.
19. Explain the role of DNA in human evolution.
20. Discuss the concept of Race and its relevance in modern times.
21. What are serological and genetic markers in race classification?
22. Explain micro-evolutionary factors.
23. Define adaptation and discuss human adaptation to cold environments.
24. Explain human adaptation to tropical deserts.
25. Discuss genetic polymorphism and its importance.

3: Archaeological Anthropology

26. Discuss the tools of Palaeolithic culture.
27. Describe Mesolithic culture and its features.
28. What are the characteristics of Neolithic culture?
29. Discuss the Chalcolithic cultures of India.
30. Explain the significance of Iron Age cultures in India.
31. Describe the process of domestication of plants and animals.
32. Discuss the concept of Urban Revolution.
33. Explain the importance of burial practices in prehistoric cultures.
34. What are megalithic cultures? Discuss their significance.
35. Discuss the contributions of Carbon-14 dating in Archaeological Anthropology.

Chapter 4: Social-Cultural Anthropology

36. Define society and community.
37. What is social institution? Discuss its characteristics.
38. Explain the anthropological concept of family.
39. Discuss the types of kinship systems.
40. Explain the rules of descent in kinship.
41. What is clan and lineage? Discuss with examples.
42. Explain the concept of marriage in Anthropology.
43. Discuss the different forms of marriage.
44. What is incest taboo? Discuss its significance.
45. Explain the anthropological study of economic systems.
46. Discuss reciprocity and redistribution.
47. Explain the concept of political organization in primitive societies.
48. What is social control? Discuss mechanisms of social control.
49. Explain the anthropological approach to religion.
50. Discuss the functions of rituals in society.

Chapter 5: Indian Anthropology

51. Discuss the racial elements in the Indian population.
52. Explain the contribution of Risley in racial classification of Indians.
53. Discuss the linguistic classification of Indian tribes.
54. Explain the features of tribal societies in India.
55. Discuss the concept of tribe-caste continuum.
56. Explain the impact of Sanskritization on tribal communities.
57. Discuss the concept of dominant caste in Indian villages.
58. Explain the relevance of kinship studies in Indian society.
59. Discuss the institution of joint family in India.
60. Explain the caste system and its anthropological interpretations.
61. What is untouchability? Discuss its impact.
62. Explain the concept of scheduled tribes and scheduled castes.
63. Discuss the constitutional safeguards for tribes in India.
64. Explain the concept of tribal integration and isolation.
65. Discuss the problem of land alienation among tribes.

6: Applied Anthropology

66. Define Applied Anthropology.
67. Discuss the role of Anthropology in rural development.
68. Explain the application of Anthropology in health and medicine.
69. What is Forensic Anthropology? Discuss its scope.
70. Explain the use of Anthropology in solving crime cases.
71. Discuss the role of Anthropology in policy formulation.
72. Explain how Anthropology contributes to tribal welfare.
73. Discuss the role of Anthropology in understanding poverty.
74. What is Development Anthropology?
75. Discuss the anthropological approach to gender issues.

Chapter 7: Research Methods in Anthropology

76. Discuss the importance of research design in Anthropology.
77. What is ethnography? Discuss its features.
78. Explain the use of case study method in Anthropology.
79. Discuss the role of genealogy method in kinship studies.
80. Explain the use of statistical methods in Anthropology.
81. Discuss the importance of fieldwork tradition in India.
82. Explain how questionnaires and interviews are used in anthropological research.
83. Discuss the comparative method in Anthropology.
84. Explain the advantages and limitations of participant observation.
85. Discuss ethical issues in anthropological research.

Chapter 8: Contemporary Issues in Anthropology

86. Discuss the problem of displacement due to development projects.
87. Explain the impact of globalization on tribal societies.
88. Discuss the issue of tribal identity and ethnicity.
89. Explain the problem of bonded labor among tribes.
90. Discuss the issue of naxalism in tribal areas.
91. What is cultural relativism? Discuss its significance.
92. Explain the problem of food security among tribes.
93. Discuss the impact of industrialization on tribal communities.
94. Explain the concept of sustainable development in tribal context.
95. Discuss the role of NGOs in tribal development.
96. Explain the problem of alcoholism in tribal societies.
97. Discuss the impact of urbanization on rural and tribal communities.
98. Explain the issue of tribal migration.
99. Discuss the significance of Panchayati Raj in tribal areas.
100. Explain the role of Anthropology in addressing climate change issues.

Conclusion

Anthropology Optional provides a balanced mix of scientific and social science perspectives for UPSC Civil Services aspirants. These 100 questions, divided across chapters, are designed to help candidates understand the scope of the subject, practice comprehensively, and prepare effectively for Mains. Consistent answer writing practice using these questions can significantly enhance performance in the Anthropology paper.

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