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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2014/Paper II/Tribal India
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper II 2014 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Biogenetic Variations of Indian Tribes — 2014 Paper II

Question · 2014 · Paper II · 10 Marks

Biogenetic variations of Indian tribes

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question: Explain the nature and significance of biological and genetic variation among Indian tribal populations.
  • Structuring the Response: Identify major genetic markers and causes of variation, supported by suitable tribal examples.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover: Endogamy, isolation, genetic drift, founder effect, blood groups, haemoglobin variants, G6PD deficiency and adaptation.

Model Answer

Introduction: Indian tribal populations exhibit considerable biogenetic diversity because of long-term geographical isolation, endogamy, small population size and adaptation to different ecological environments.

Important variations are observed in:

  • ABO and Rh blood groups;
  • haemoglobin variants;
  • serum proteins;
  • enzyme polymorphisms;
  • HLA markers.

A notable example is the distribution of HbS or sickle-cell trait among several tribal populations of central, western and southern India, including sections of the Bhil and Gond populations. Its relatively high frequency in some malaria-endemic regions has been associated with heterozygote advantage.

Similarly, G6PD deficiency occurs at varying frequencies among some tribal groups and may also have an evolutionary relationship with malaria.

Major factors producing differentiation include:

Endogamy + Isolation + Small population → Genetic drift and founder effects

Migration and gene flow with neighbouring populations may reduce such differentiation.

Modern population genetics shows that Indian tribes cannot be grouped into rigid biological “races”; rather, they display complex patterns of shared ancestry and local differentiation.

Conclusion: Biogenetic variation among Indian tribes reflects the interaction of population history, marriage patterns, drift, selection and ecology, making tribal populations important for understanding human microevolution in India.

2026 Dravidian language family and its tribal speakers. 2026 Buddhist tribes of India. 2026 Nature-Man-Spirit-Complex. 2026 Make a critical appraisal of Surajit Sinha's line of argument that tribes and castes may not be isolated social categories, but are a part of the great Indian civilization.

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2014 — Paper II

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