UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2024 PDF Out for Paper I and II

Gaurav Soni October 12, 2024 08:10 36071 0

UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2024 has been released for Paper I and II here. Explore PYQs Exam Analysis & Success rate provided here.

UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2024 PDF Out for Paper I and II

UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2024: In the UPSC Mains exam, the Anthropology optional subject consists of two papers, specifically Paper I and Paper II. Each of these papers carries a weightage of 250 marks, summing up to a total of 500 marks for this optional subject. Among the various optional subjects offered by UPSC, Anthropology is one of the 48 choices available to candidates.

The examination schedule for the UPSC Civil Service Mains includes 9 papers, including Optional papers I and II. However, Optional Paper-1 (Paper-VIII) was conducted in the morning shift on September 29, 2024, and Optional Paper II (Paper-IX) in the second shift. 

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UPSC Anthropology Question Paper 2024 PDF

Candidates can access and download the PDF version (unofficial) of the UPSC Anthropology Question Paper 2024 for Paper I and Paper II conducted on September 29, 2024. Find the direct links to download the question papers from here once available:

Question Paper Download PDF
UPSC Anthropology Question Papers I Click Here
UPSC Anthropology Question Papers II Click Here

 

UPSC Mains Anthropology Exam 2024 Highlights

Candidates appearing for the UPSC should carefully consider their choice of optional subject, as it carries significant weightage in the examination, accounting for 500 marks or approximately 25% of the total marks comprising the written exam and personality test. Anthropology is one of the elective courses for the UPSC Exam 2024.

In the UPSC Mains Examination, candidates select two optional subjects out of nine papers, which include GS VI and GS VII. The table below provides an overview of these optional subjects:

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Exam Name UPSC Civil Services Mains Optional Exam
Optional Papers in UPSC Mains Exam 2 Papers (Optional Paper I and II)
Optional Weightage 25% of total marks
Total Optional Subjects in the UPSC CSE Exam 48 Subjects
Anthropology Optional Anthropology Optional Paper-I and II
Total Marks in Optional 500 Marks (250 marks each)

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UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper Syllabus Download

UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper Syllabus is released by the UPSC along with the notification. Candidates appearing for UPSC Mains and having selected the UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper are advised to check the syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II. Paper I focused on the fundamentals of anthropology, meanwhile Paper II covered anthropological theories to contemporary issues and much more.

UPSC Anthropology Syllabus PDF

UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 1

UPSC Anthropology Optional Syllabus for Paper 1 delves into the fundamentals of anthropology, covering topics such as evolution, primatology, human genetics, and the sociocultural aspect of anthropology. This paper assesses candidates’ theoretical knowledge in the field of anthropology.

UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2

Paper 2 of the UPSC Anthropology Optional focuses on the application of anthropological theories to contemporary issues. It covers topics such as tribal and rural anthropology, globalization, and the application of anthropological knowledge in problem-solving. This paper evaluates candidates’ ability to analyze and provide anthropological insights into present-day societal challenges.

Anthropology Optional Success Rate

Success in the UPSC examination depends on various factors, including the choice of the optional subject. Anthropology has witnessed a fair share of success stories, with candidates securing commendable scores. The subject’s interdisciplinary approach allows candidates to connect anthropological theories with current societal issues, enhancing their chances of success. However, the Anthropology Optional Success Rate stands around 10% based on the previous year’s trends.

The table below offers a comprehensive overview of the success rate achieved by candidates who opted for Anthropology during this period:

UPSC Anthropology Optional Success Rate
Year Number of Candidates  Number of Candidates Selected Success Rate (%)
2020 1211 100  8.3%
2019 1189 108 9.1
2018 797 65 8.2
2017 880 85 9.7

Anthropology Optional Trend Analysis

Anthropology is a popular optional subject for UPSC aspirants due to its interdisciplinary nature and relevance to various aspects of society. Aspirants often find it engaging and rewarding to study the evolution of human societies, cultures, and behaviors.

Over the years, Anthropology has maintained a steady popularity among UPSC aspirants. The subject’s comprehensive coverage of human society, its dynamic nature, and its applicability to contemporary challenges make it a subject of choice for many.

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Candidates who have chosen Philosophy as their elective subject can greatly benefit from completing previous year’s UPSC Anthropology Question Papers. This practice provides them with valuable insights into the expected question patterns, test format, and other crucial aspects of the examination. Anthropology, being an optional subject, is known for featuring 5–6 recurring themes, either directly or indirectly, each year.

This characteristic makes it a high-scoring and weighty optional subject. By solving UPSC Anthropology Previous Year Question Papers, candidates can assess and improve their speed, accuracy, time management skills, and pinpoint the specific themes they should focus on for their Philosophy optional paper. Additionally, comprehending the UPSC Anthropology Optional Question Paper Trend Analysis aids candidates in streamlining their preparation strategy for this optional subject more effectively.

UPSC Anthropology Optional Previous Year Paper Download

UPSC Anthropology Optional Question Papers from 2018 to 2023 are readily available for aspirants seeking to enhance their preparation. We provide access to the UPSC Anthropology optional question papers in PDF format, an invaluable resource for your preparation.

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UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper Syllabus

The UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper Syllabus for the Civil Services Mains Examination consists of two papers: Paper-I and Paper-II. Here is the syllabus for each paper:

UPSC Anthropology optional Paper-I

  1. Introduction to Anthropology:
    • Meaning, scope, and development of anthropology.
    • Relationships with other disciplines: Social sciences, behavioral sciences, life sciences, medical sciences, and Earth sciences.
  2. Main Branches of Anthropology:
    • Social-cultural anthropology.
    • Biological anthropology.
    • Archaeological anthropology.
    • Linguistic anthropology.
  3. Human Evolution and Fossil Record:
    • The biological basis of life.
    • The nature of fossil evidence.
    • Major trends in human evolution.
    • Molecular anthropology and recent developments.
  4. Cultural Evolution:
    • The nature of culture.
    • Characteristics of culture.
    • Cultural diffusion.
    • Acculturation.
    • Cultural stability and change.
  5. Marriage, Family, and Kinship:
    • Marriage as an institution.
    • Types of marriage.
    • Family, household, and domestic groups.
    • Kinship and descent.

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UPSC Anthropology optional Paper-II

  1. Economic and Political Institutions:
    • Economic organization.
    • Modes of production.
    • Distribution and exchange.
    • Political systems and organization.
  2. Religion and Rituals:
    • The concept of religion.
    • Major world religions.
    • Rituals and their significance.
  3. Tribes in India:
    • Definition and classification of tribes.
    • Problems of the tribal communities.
    • Tribal development efforts.
  4. Indian Anthropology:
    • Contributions of Indian anthropologists.
    • Contributions of tribal studies.
  5. Applied Anthropology:
    • Concept and scope.
    • Methods and techniques.
    • Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.
  6. Human Genetics:
    • Mendelian and polygenic inheritance.
    • Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations.
    • Concepts of population genetics and their applications in anthropology.
  7. Fieldwork and Research:
    • Fieldwork tradition in anthropology.
    • Techniques of data collection.
    • Research design.

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Anthropology Books for UPSC Optional

Here are some recommended books for UPSC Anthropology optional:

  1. Physical Anthropology” by P. Nath
  2. An Introduction to Social Anthropology” by D.N. Majumdar and T.N. Madan
  3. Cultural Anthropology” by Nadeem Hasnain
  4. Indian Anthropology” by R.N. Sharma and V. R. Rao
  5. Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction” by John Monaghan and Peter Just
  6. Tribal India” by Nadeem Hasnain
  7. Anthropological Theories: A Guide Prepared By Students for Students” by Dr. S. Chakraborty and Dr. B. Singh
  8. Indian Anthropology: Emerging Insights” by R.K. Bhattacharya
  9. An Outline of Indian Prehistory” by D.K. Bhattacharya

These books cover various aspects of anthropology and can help you prepare for the UPSC optional subject effectively. It’s also essential to refer to previous years’ question papers and practice answer writing to excel in the Anthropology optional paper.

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Is Anthropology a Good Optional for UPSC?

Anthropology can be a good optional subject for UPSC if it aligns with your interests, strengths, and overall preparation strategy. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if anthropology is a suitable optional for you:

  1. Interest: If you have a genuine interest in anthropology, including its various subfields like social anthropology, cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, and tribal anthropology, you are more likely to enjoy studying and mastering the subject.
  2. Background: Your academic background can play a significant role. If you have a degree in anthropology or a related field, it may give you an advantage in understanding and tackling the subject. However, many successful UPSC candidates come from diverse educational backgrounds.
  3. Study Material: Availability of good study material and coaching support for anthropology is important. Ensure that you can access comprehensive and reliable resources to prepare for this optional subject.
  4. Scoring Potential: Anthropology has a reputation for being a moderately scoring optional subject in UPSC. The subject is considered less unpredictable compared to some other options, which means that questions are generally straightforward and have a clear syllabus.
  5. Consistency: Anthropology requires consistent effort and regular practice. If you are committed to dedicating time and effort to the subject, you can perform well.
  6. Previous Performance: Review the performance of past UPSC candidates who opted for anthropology as their optional subject. This can give you insights into the subject’s scoring trends.

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UPSC Optional Paper Related Links
UPSC History Optional Paper UPSC Public Administration Optional Paper
UPSC Economics Optional Paper UPSC Geography Optional Paper

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UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper FAQs

UPSC Anthropology Syllabus is seen as an accessible subject for science graduates due to its scientific concepts. It also mentions that in 2017, both the top-ranking candidates in the UPSC exam had Anthropology as their optional subject, and this choice has been popular among past successful candidates.

Laghima Tiwari secured AIR 19 with Anthropology Optional in the UPSC CSE 2022.

Compared to subjects like political science, geography, history, and others, the availability of guidance for this subject is limited. Effective guidance is essential, as self-study alone may consume a significant amount of time to cover the syllabus thoroughly.

The anthropology syllabus is concise, and with the right study materials and approach, it can be completed in just four months. For candidates with a science or engineering background who prefer not to select their degree subjects as optionals, anthropology can be a suitable choice.

UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2024 will be released on the official website once the exam is successfully conducted.
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