5(a) Adaptive primate radiation
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Evolutionary trend and primate taxonomy
2019 · Paper I
Anthropology Optional Paper I PYQ 2019
Explore 28 official UPSC Anthropology Optional 2019 Paper I questions, organised by section, marks, syllabus and topic. Model answers are coming soon.
Q1(a)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
The relationship between Linguistics and Social-Cultural Anthropology
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Language and culture
Culture & Society
Q1(b)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Cultural Relativism
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.1 The Nature of Culture > Ethnocentrism vis-a-vis Cultural Relativism
Culture & Society
Q1(c)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Pastoralism in India
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Modes of subsistence > Pastoralism
Economic & Political Anthropology
Q1(d)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Cultural Materialism
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Cultural Materialism
Anthropological Theories
Q1(e)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Relative Dating Methods
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Chronology: relative and absolute dating methods
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q2(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the evolutionary significance of bipedalism and erect posture.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Skeletal changes due to erect posture
Human Evolution & Primatology
Q2(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
How did Radcliffe-Brown and Levi-Strauss study kinship in terms of social structure ?
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Descent theory and alliance theory
Kinship
Q2(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Elucidate Mesolithic culture and associated rock art with examples from India.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Mesolithic
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q3(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss social stratification according to any three major approaches.
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Social stratification
Culture & Society
Q3(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
“Europeans are closer to Neanderthals.” Critically discuss in view of the African origin of humankind.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Neanderthal Man
Human Evolution & Primatology
Q3(c)
15 Marks Answer Coming Soon
Discuss briefly the major traditions in the Upper Palaeolithic culture of Europe.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Upper Palaeolithic
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q4(a)
20 Marks Answer Coming Soon
With reference to the somatoscopic and morphometric characteristics commonly used for racial classification, make critical comments as to whether ‘Race’ is a valid concept.
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Racial criteria and biological basis of racial classification
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q4(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Critically explain the anthropological approaches to religion.
Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Anthropological approaches to the study of religion
Anthropology of Religion
Q4(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Differentiate between transient and balanced genetic polymorphism. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples from human populations.
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q5(a)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Adaptive primate radiation
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Evolutionary trend and primate taxonomy
Human Evolution & Primatology
Q5(b)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Implications of mutation in evolution
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.7 The biological basis of life > Mutation
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q5(c)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Olduvai Gorge
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > East African hominid sites
Human Evolution & Primatology
Q5(d)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Anthropological inputs in facial reconstruction
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Forensic Anthropology > Reconstruction
Applied & Forensic Anthropology
Q5(e)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Genetico-environmental factors affecting human growth
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Factors affecting growth and development
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q6(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Examine critically the contributions of Victor Turner and Clifford Geertz in anthropology.
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropology
Anthropological Theories
Q6(b)
15 Marks Answer Coming Soon
“Human adaptations are always bio-cultural in nature.” Discuss with reference to human adaptation to high-altitude climate.
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > High altitude adaptation
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q6(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the methods of studying human growth with their merits and demerits.
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Methodologies for growth studies
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q7(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss how indigenous people encounter globalization.
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Impact of globalization on indigenous economies
Economic & Political Anthropology
Q7(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
“Applied human genetics has come to touch every sphere of human life.” Discuss in light of recent advances in molecular anthropology.
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Applied human genetics
Applied & Forensic Anthropology
Q7(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Evaluate participant observation in producing anthropological knowledge.
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Observation
Research Methods in Anthropology
Q8(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss with examples the Megalithic culture of India in the archaeological context.
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Megalithic
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q8(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the bio-cultural factors influencing fertility in light of the relationship between fecundity and fertility.
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity and fertility
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q8(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss phenomenology as a research method in anthropological studies.
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.2 Research Methods > Distinction between technique, method and methodology
Research Methods in Anthropology
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2019 — Paper I
28 questionsSyllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Anthropological approaches to the study of religion
5(d) Anthropological inputs in facial reconstruction
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Forensic Anthropology > Reconstruction
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Applied human genetics
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Social stratification
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity and fertility
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > High altitude adaptation
1(d) Cultural Materialism
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Cultural Materialism
1(b) Cultural Relativism
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.1 The Nature of Culture > Ethnocentrism vis-a-vis Cultural Relativism
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Skeletal changes due to erect posture
5(e) Genetico-environmental factors affecting human growth
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Factors affecting growth and development
5(b) Implications of mutation in evolution
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.7 The biological basis of life > Mutation
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Impact of globalization on indigenous economies
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Racial criteria and biological basis of racial classification
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Language and culture
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Megalithic
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Mesolithic
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Methodologies for growth studies
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Neanderthal Man
5(c) Olduvai Gorge
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > East African hominid sites
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Observation
1(c) Pastoralism in India
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Modes of subsistence > Pastoralism
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.2 Research Methods > Distinction between technique, method and methodology
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Descent theory and alliance theory
1(e) Relative Dating Methods
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Chronology: relative and absolute dating methods
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Upper Palaeolithic
6(a) Examine critically the contributions of Victor Turner and Clifford Geertz in anthropology.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropology