Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > Human adaptability
Exam Year
UPSC Anthropology Optional PYQs 2018
A map of the 2018 Anthropology Optional paper — Paper I and Paper II questions, recurring themes and model-answer status.
56
Total Questions
I + II
Papers Covered
52
Model Answers Added
4
Answers Pending
Papers in 2018
Themes Asked in 2018
Foundations of AnthropologyAnthropology of ReligionPrehistoric ArchaeologyKinshipMarriage & FamilyHuman Evolution & PrimatologyEconomic & Political AnthropologyAnthropological TheoriesResearch Methods in AnthropologyCulture & SocietyHuman Genetics & Human BiologyTribal IndiaIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeTribal Problems & DisplacementEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeTribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsApplied & Forensic Anthropology
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All questions asked in 2018
56 questionsPaper I 28
5(b) Advanced Molecular Anthropology Techniques
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.1 Human Genetics: Methods and Application > D.N.A. technology and recombinant technologies
6(b) Do Allen's rule and Bergmann's rule hold for human populations ? Explain with examples.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > Bio-cultural adaptations
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man > Biological and cultural factors
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Case study
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Modes of subsistence > Hunting and gathering
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Neolithic
3(c) Critically examine that the structure and content of language are influenced by culture.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Social context of language use
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Homo erectus
Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control > Law and justice in simple societies
1(b) Difference between Science and Magic
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Religion, magic and science
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Ageing and senescence
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.1 Research Methods > Fieldwork tradition and ethnography
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology > Health and disease
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity and fertility
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology > Field methods
5(c) Categorize Genes that influence Human Survival.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.7 The biological basis of life > Gene and gene action
5(a) Gordon Childe's Theory of Cultural Evolution
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Cultural evolution > Gordon Childe
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Iron Age
1(d) Kinship Terminology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Kinship terminology
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Mendelian population and Hardy-Weinberg law > Forces changing gene frequency
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Culture and Personality > National character studies
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Chronology: relative and absolute dating methods > Radiocarbon dating
5(d) Race is a Myth. Justify its Present Day Relevance.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Biological basis of racial classification
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(a) Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders)
1(a) The Relevance of Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.1 Meaning, Scope and Development of Anthropology > Relevance of Anthropology
1(c) Town Planning of Harappan Culture
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Chalcolithic and Harappan
1(e) Ways of Acquiring Mate in Tribal Society
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.3 Marriage > Ways of acquiring a mate
Paper II 28
5(c) Agrarian social structure
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Agrarian relations in Indian villages
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Structure and characteristics of caste
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Contributions of the tribal cultures
1(a) Distinctive cultural features of tribes of Andaman islands
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Distribution and characteristics of tribal populations
6(a) Compare and contrast the economic typology of tribes given by different anthropologists.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Socio-economic characteristics and typologies
1(c) Endangered Languages
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements and their distribution
1(e) Ethnoarchaeology as a research strategy
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India > The concept of ethno-archaeology
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Factors influencing structure and growth
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 Unrest among tribal communities > Causal factors
3(b) Based on historical and contemporary evidences discuss the future of caste system in India.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Future of the caste system
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Indian village as a social system
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Developmental projects, tribal displacement and rehabilitation
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Agrarian relations and impact of globalization
5(e) Modernization
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Modernization
1(d) OBCs among non-Hindu communities
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes
5(d) The impact of Panchayati Raj institutions in rural areas
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Panchayati Raj and social change
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes > PESA and Sixth Schedule
1(b) Philosophy behind Purusharthas
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Purushartha
8(c) Discuss the significance and implementation of 'Recognition of Forest Right's Act 2006'.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Development of forest policy and tribals > Forest Rights Act, 2006
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Prehistoric > Mesolithic
Syllabus: Paper II > 4. Emergence, growth and development of anthropology in India > S. C. Roy
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Siwaliks > Sivapithecus
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development
5(b) Tribe and scheduled tribe
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Definition and scheduling of tribes
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Tribe-caste continuum
5(a) Youth dormitory as an institution
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Social institutions of tribal societies