Anthropology is a subject which is currently proving to be remunerative for the UPSC aspirants. Besides being scoring and less time intensive it is an extension of GS preparation for around 30-40% of its syllabus. Before selecting this optional for UPSC please go through the syllabus (Paper-I, Paper-II ) in a comprehensive manner.
Criteria for selection of anthropology as an optional–
- Familiarity with topics related to biology
- Ease with slight mugging
- Preparedness for giving Dedicated 2 months for it.
Anyone with interest in Anthropology without any past background can opt this optional if he/she satisfy anyone of the above three criteria.
Anthropology was/is field study based subject. It was born out of colonial need to know the origin and evolution of native culture. Hence to make it scoring , following points need to be kept in mind while writing answers.
- To quote anthropologist in answers
- To give case studies while writing answers
- To give examples
( use newspaper for collection of useful case-studies, example etc)
- To draw diagrams wherever required
- Attempt physical anthropology and theory based questions as much as possible as socio-cultural based questions fetch lesser marks comparatively.
- For non-physical anthropology part – give some pictorial representation/ flow chart.
- To use anthropological language in answer writing.
Books
Paper-I
- For general understanding of Anthropology – Ember and Ember
- General Anthropology- Nadeem Hasnain
- Socio-cultural Anthropology- Nadeem Hasnain
- Archeology- Bhattacharya
- Physical Anthropology- P.Nath
- Physical Anthropology- Shukla and Rastogi
- Theories and Indian anthropologist- Pandey and Upadhyay
Paper-II
- Indian Anthropology- Nadeem Hasnain
- Archeology- Bhattacharya
- History of Anthropological Thought – Pandey and Upadhyay
- Demographic Anthropology- Census 2011
- Tribal Anthropology- Nadeem Hasnain
- National commission on ST – A handbook
- MoTA- Annual report
Advantages of anthropology
- Scoring subject
- Interesting subject
- Easy to grasp especially For science students
- Less time consuming
- Helps in GS paper
- Short syllabus
Key terminology of question
- ELUCIDATE/EXPLAIN:
- The theme of the question need to be explained in simpler terms for the complex or jargonized statement.
- ANALYSE:
- To Examine in detail in order to discover meaning, essential features, etc.
- to break down into components or essential features
- ELABORATE/ SUBSTANTIATE:
- To support/argue/ illustrate the applicability of the viewpoint contained therein.
- DISCUSS:
- to point out the positive as well as the negative arguments and to conclud observations emerging from the discussion.
- COMMENT/EXAMING/DO YOU AGREE:
- Both sides of argument are required with your own opinion/ comment/ view
with the reasons thereof.
- Both sides of argument are required with your own opinion/ comment/ view
- CRITICALLY EXAMINE/ CRITICALLY EVALUATE:
- Mainly the anti view point is to be brought out with the reasons of such anti view. Conclusions from such an examination with the points of criticism or support.
Remarks- We will try to cover complete Anthropology here, no need to refer to any book or notes.