Anthropology(Anth) is simply the study of humans. It talks about how was man created. Moreover, it overall studies the lifestyle of human beings. The subject studies our genetics, biology, and our origin. The study also compares human beings to other animals. Thus, it tries to contrast us. Or identify us with other animals on this planet. Firstly, the subject tries to dig up the human past. Moreover, it tries to study our early life and origin. For this, history plays an important part. However, clearly Archaeological studies are used. Secondly, the subject talks about biological Anth. Thirdly, it also studies cultural anthropology. Lastly, it also focuses on linguistic Anth. In today’s article, we will talk about the role this subject plays in the UPSC exam. We will discuss the Anthropology Subject Simplified Optional Syllabus for UPSC mains.
About Anthropology Syllabus for UPSC
Thus, there are four parts to the subject. That is prehistory, biology, culture, and language. In recent years, this subject has gained large fame. Many toppers have also urged for this optional subject. Hence, just like public admin, Anth is the future trendy subject. Moreover, it is believed that this subject is quite easy to follow. This is cause it is related to our human race. Moreover, all of us have some basic idea on human lifestyle, origin, the past. Moreover, some of us also have some strong future life beliefs. Today, we will simplify the Anthropology Optional Subject for UPSC. Moreover, we will also take a look at the success rate/ Hence, we’ll talk about those candidates who took up this optional subject.
There is a total of 48 optional subjects in UPSC. Anthropology Optional Subject is one of them. Although overall, the subject talks about the entire human progress over the years, there are some unique features of the subject in UPSC. The subject majorly focuses on topics around Indian culture and human progress. There is a total of two optional papers in your mains exam. Moreover, there are no optional subjects in your prelims exam. Hence, in the mains exam, both the papers are 250 marks each. The questions are subjective in nature. Moroever, your total optional weightage is 500 marks in mains. Here, we will firstly discuss the Paper One Anthropology Syllabus for UPSC. Then, we will move ahead and talk about the second optional paper two. To read more on the UPSC syllabus: click here.
Anthropology Optional Subject Syllabus Simplified for UPSC Mains
Here, we will discuss the paper one syllabus for your UPSC optional subject. The very first topic to study under the subject is its basic intro. Then, you can read about the scope of the subject and the rise of the subject. The second topic to study is the relation of the subject with other systems. That is, here you will read about the inter-link between Anthropology and other subjects. The other subjects can be science, life, humanities, etc. Furthermore, you will study the main branches of the subject. That is sociocultural, bio, linguistic, and archaeological Anth. Moreover, the subject focuses on Human growth and the rise of man. After this, there is a topic which studies early human life. It explains the primate behavior, culture, physical, or mental gain. Further, the subject talks about the phylogenetic status. It also talks about various human races.
Moreover, it also talks about human life in different locations. That is, the Homo Erectus, Neanderthals, Rhodesian Man, and the Homo Sapiens. Then, the first paper talks about the bio basis of life. Moreover, it also talks about various old archaeology with social evolution. Some sub-topics are the nature of culture, society, marriage, family, and kinship in the olden times. Furthermore, the Anthropology Syllabus for UPSC talks about the economic order. Moreover, it also explains civic life, faith, ideas, info, and language. Lastly, paper one covers Human Genetics in detail and the use of Anth.
Paper Two Anthropology Optional Syllabus for UPSC
We have now explained the paper one anthropology syllabus for UPSC. Now let us quickly talk about the paper two subject matter. The very point to note is that the first paper is very general in nature. That is, it creates a base of the subject. Hence, it doesn’t highlight anything specific. However, paper two mainly talks about Indian Anth. Hence, the major stress is laid out on India. The very first topic here is the growth of Indian Culture and Civilization. Secondly, it talks about the paleolithic age in India. Then, it also covers the Ethno-archaeology in India. Further, it talks about the demographic profile of India. Moreover, you will also read about the caste system in India. It also covers a topic about Indian villages.
Paper Two also covers the tribal status in India and their problems. Moreover, the subject takes talks about the in-depth origin, issues, etc. It also covers the life of the tribal people in its second paper. Hence, the study of tribal living is of great imp for your optional paper.
Anthropology Optional Subject Success Rate
In 2017, around 880 aspirants appeared for this optional subject. However, around 85 of them cracked the paper. Hence, in 2017, the Anth success rate was 9.7 percent. This is actually a good percent of the success rate. Other than this, literature subjects had a good success rate. Moreover, medical sciences and psychology also did quite well. Other good optional subject success rates were shared by engineering subjects and botany. In 2016, Assamese lit had the highest success rate of forty percent. However, only 5 wrote the optional subject and 2 passed. For Anth, 345 aspirants appeared with this subject. However, 37 passed in the subject. Hence, the success rate is 10.7 percent only.
Further, in 2015, 579 candidates opted for this subject. But, only 38 were upheld. Thus, the success rate was 6.3 percent only. Medical Sciences optional was the top player this year. Moreover, in 2014, 449 people chose Anth. However, only 53 of them cracked the exam. Moreover, the success rate was 11.8 percent only.
Best Anthropology Books
- Fossil Evidence- By S Das.
- Physical anthropology- By P Nath.
- Indian Anthropology – Nadeem Hasnain.
- Social Anthropology – DN Majumdar & T N Madan.
- Anthropology Theories – Makhan Jha
UPSC Optional Strategy
Firstly, you should find a link in your subject. That is, there must be some overlap. It must be between your optional subject and your GS papers. This makes it easier for you to study. Moreover, you will easily grasp the concepts. Moreover, you remember them for a long while. Further, you must know the complete anthropology optional subject syllabus for UPSC. Mostly, when you refer to the above books, the topics are interlinked. They are jumbled in nature. Hence, you must read the syllabus. Then, you need to know the various chapters covering the topic. A particular book may not stress an imp topic Hence, you need to move on and search for the date in some other book. However, one must not waste their time in reading all the books ready. Instead, you should only read and complete the syllabus whenever feasible.
Tips for anthropology simplified for upsc mains
Further, you need to know the size of your syllabus. At times, the syllabus is in-depth with many topics. Hence, it will take a lot of your time to prepare. However, if the syllabus is easy it becomes more simple. Mostly, optional subjects have a wide syllabus. Hence, we suggest you choose a subject of your interest. More than interest, it is imp to at least have a basic idea about the subject. For example, if you belong to the medical field, you have a lot of info on medicine. Hence, do not waste your time reading something new. Instead, add on to your data using the medical sciences optional subject. Similarly, the anthropology subject is made for all. However, if you belong to a science or history past, it is the best subject you can prepare for.
But how will you identify your interest? That’s simple in the case of anthropology. When you study for GS 1, notice your interest in the past events of human growth. You can also read about the human genetical origin. Moreover, have a look at the tribal events in news. If you feel curious, then read some basic books. Only if you feel like taking up and reading the subject can you crack the exam. Without interest, you cannot crack any optional paper. Hence, make sure you cover topics for both papers. Apart from books, take help from past year’s question papers of your optional subject. To read more on other optional subjects: click here.
FAQs
There is no record of current affairs as a part of the syllabus. However, it is of top concern for you to keep a check on the current affairs. For paper one, the syllabus is quite rigid, limited, and static. Hence, not much will change. However, for paper two, you need every update around the subject.
Mostly, no. Current affairs are directly targeted in the GS papers. However, in optional subjects, the chances are less. But, you will need current affairs to write some proper examples in your answers.
You can prefer books that use anthropology simplified language for UPSC mains. These books usually teach ideas in a more basic and easy style. Hence, you can choose such books during the first phase of your prep.
Editor’s Note | Anthropology Syllabus for UPSC
Here we will conclude our article. In today’s article, we examined the Anthropology Optional Subject Syllabus for mains UPSC. Thus, we first talked about the subject in detail. Then, we moved ahead and talked about the paper one syllabus for your optional. Furthermore, we also listed the topics inside the paper two syllabi. Hence, we noticed that paper one is mostly about theory. Moreover, paper two uniquely focuses on Indian Anthropology. Thus, each of them needs a new plan. After this, we also talked about the exam success rate of the optional subject over the years. Moreover, we also talked about the best books for anthropology. Lastly, we gave the right strategy for your prep.
