All questions asked in 2022

56 questions

Paper I 28

3(c) Should we still distinguish between ‘classic’ and ‘progressive’ Neanderthals ? Discuss the controversy surrounding Neanderthal's position in human evolution.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Neanderthal Man

2022Paper IHuman Evolution & PrimatologyAnswer coming soon

3(b) Enumerate the evidence of animal domestication in Indian microlithic industry.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution > Mesolithic/microlithic industries

2022Paper IPrehistoric ArchaeologyAnswer coming soon

4(c) Critically examine various anthropological interpretations about the Kula Ring.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Forms of exchange > Kula Ring

2022Paper IEconomic & Political AnthropologyAnswer coming soon

2(a) “Anthropology is the systematic, objective and holistic study of human kind in all times and places”. Elaborate the argument.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 1.1 Meaning, Scope and Development of Anthropology

2022Paper IFoundations of AnthropologyAnswer coming soon

8(c) Discuss how anthropological knowledge of the human body may be used in designing equipments and articles of human use.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Anthropology in designing of equipments

2022Paper IApplied & Forensic AnthropologyAnswer coming soon

5(a) Balanced and transient genetic polymorphism.

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

8(b) What do you understand by blood group systems ? How is HLA system different from those based on red cell antigens ?

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 9.6 Population variation as genetic marker > ABO, Rh, HLA

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

8(a) Discuss the contemporary population problems in the light of various socio-cultural demographic theories.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 11.2 Demographic theories: biological, social and cultural

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

3(a) Discuss how the rules of descent contradict the principles of residence in matrilineal society, mentioning suitable examples ?

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Descent and residence rules

2022Paper IKinshipAnswer coming soon

4(b) Discuss the historical and cultural contexts that led to superseding ethnocentrism with cultural relativism in anthropology.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 2.1 The Nature of Culture > Ethnocentrism vis-a-vis Cultural Relativism

2022Paper ICulture & SocietyAnswer coming soon

7(a) Discuss the role of evolutionary forces in creating human diversity.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Mendelian population and Hardy-Weinberg law > Forces of evolution

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

1(a) Debate between formalist and substantivist approaches

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Formalist and Substantivist debate

2022Paper IEconomic & Political AnthropologyAnswer coming soon

2(b) Discuss different forms of primate social organisation.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Primate behaviour

2022Paper IHuman Evolution & PrimatologyAnswer coming soon

5(b) Genetic imprinting in human diseases.

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(d) Genetic imprints in human disease

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

6(b) What is meant by health ? Is the burden of life style diseases on the rise ? Justify your answer with suitable examples.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology > Health and disease

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

4(a) Why Heath and Carter used anthropometric measurements instead of photographs of an individual to assess the somatotype ? Elaborate their method.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Human physique and somatotypes

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

7(b) Write the historical development of field work tradition in anthropology till recent times.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 8.1 Research Methods > Fieldwork tradition in Anthropology

2022Paper IResearch Methods in AnthropologyAnswer coming soon

5(e) Household and domestic group.

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 2.4 Family > Household and domestic group

2022Paper IMarriage & FamilyAnswer coming soon

7(c) Discuss the approaches of Leslie White, Julian Steward and Marshall Sahlins in the light of cultural evolution.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Neo-evolutionism

2022Paper IAnthropological TheoriesAnswer coming soon

1(b) Mesolithic rock art in Indian subcontinent

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution > Mesolithic > Rock art

2022Paper IPrehistoric ArchaeologyAnswer coming soon

1(e) Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Participatory Learning and Action (PLA)

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Participatory methods

2022Paper IResearch Methods in AnthropologyAnswer coming soon

1(d) Pedigree analysis in genetic counselling

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 9.1 Human Genetics: Methods and Application > Pedigree analysis

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

1(c) Radcliffe-Brown's ideas on status, role and institution

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Status, role and social institution

2022Paper ICulture & SocietyAnswer coming soon

6(c) Critically evaluate the reasons of reduction in age at menarche in human females over the successive generations.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bio-events to fertility

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

5(d) Shaman, sorcerer and medicine man.

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Religious specialists

2022Paper IAnthropology of ReligionAnswer coming soon

6(a) Discuss the mechanism of social control in different kinds of political systems.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control

2022Paper IEconomic & Political AnthropologyAnswer coming soon

5(c) Stages of human pre-natal development.

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Pre-natal stage

2022Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

2(c) Discuss with suitable examples the typo-technological problems in Indian palaeolithic industry with reference to environmental hypotheses.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution > Palaeolithic industries

2022Paper IPrehistoric ArchaeologyAnswer coming soon

Paper II 28

2(c) Critically describe Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's argument on the origin of Indian caste system.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Theories of origin of caste

2022Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

8(b) Briefly describe the anthropological perspective on development. How have anthropologists contributed in India's rural development?

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development

2022Paper IIApplied & Forensic AnthropologyModel answer available

5(e) Austroasiatic languages

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements

2022Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

6(c) Explain how British policies impacted the major resources of the tribals.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 History of administration of tribal areas > Colonial period

2022Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

1(c) Dharma versus Religion

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Dharma

2022Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

2(b) What are the arguments for excluding Narmada Man from Homo erectus category?

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Narmada Man

2022Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

7(a) Discuss the views of G. S. Ghurye and Verrier Elwin on the approach towards tribal populations. What are the policies of the Government of India towards Indian tribal populations?

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 Tribal policies > Isolation-assimilation debate

2022Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsAnswer coming soon

4(a) “Globalisation, on one hand has provided opportunities and on the other hand thrown challenges to Indian villages.” Elucidate.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Impact of globalization on Indian villages

2022Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

4(c) Critically examine ‘Indigenisation of Christianity’ in India.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 3.4 Impact of Christianity on Indian society

2022Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

6(a) Discuss the objectives of Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs). How far have these objectives been achieved?

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 Tribal policies, plans and programmes of tribal development

2022Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

2(a) Illustrate the contribution of Irawati Karve to Indian Anthropology. Make a special mention of her literary contribution.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 4. Emergence, growth and development of anthropology in India

2022Paper IIFoundations of AnthropologyModel answer available

7(b) Discuss the issues and solutions related to the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe populations in India.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

2022Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

5(b) Issues of tribal agricultural labourers

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 6.2 Problems of the tribal communities > Poverty and unemployment

2022Paper IITribal Problems & DisplacementModel answer available

8(c) How can a balance be struck between livelihood concern and environmental degradation in the context of shifting cultivation?

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Development of forest policy and tribals > Shifting cultivation

2022Paper IITribal Problems & DisplacementModel answer available

3(a) Make a critical appraisal of Megalithic tradition in India with special reference to North-East India.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Megalithic

2022Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

1(a) Pit-dwellers of Kashmir

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Neolithic > Burzahom

2022Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

5(c) Major problems of nomadic and semi-nomadic groups

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Socio-economic characteristics

2022Paper IITribal IndiaModel answer available

4(b) Describe briefly the proto-history of Gujarat. Discuss the significance of Gujarat proto-history in international trade.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Protohistoric

2022Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

5(a) Regionalism as an opportunity and threat to national integration

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 Regionalism and demand for autonomy

2022Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

3(c) Describe the methods adopted by Sir Herbert Hope Risley in classifying Indian populations. What are the criticisms against Risley's classification?

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Racial classification (Risley)

2022Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

5(d) Role of the Governor in the Fifth Schedule areas

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes > Fifth Schedule

2022Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

3(b) Assess the contributions of S. C. Dube in Indian village studies.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Significance of village study in India

2022Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(d) Safeguards for linguistic minorities in India

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their status

2022Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

7(c) Explain the social and religious consequences of contact between tribal and non-tribal populations.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 8.1 Impact of religions on tribal societies

2022Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeAnswer coming soon

6(b) Compare the functioning of traditional ‘Tribal Council’ with that of ‘Gram Sabha’ under PESA.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Constitutional safeguards > PESA

2022Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

8(a) Compare the nature of tribal movements between North-East and Central India. Briefly mention the current status of existing tribal movements in these areas.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 Tribal movements > Regional comparison

2022Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(b) Varna and Buddhism

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society

2022Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

1(e) Westernisation and Modernisation

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change

2022Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

UPSC Anthropology Optional PYQs 2022

Papers in 2022

Foundations of Anthropology

Indian Anthropology

Themes Asked in 2022

All questions asked in 2022

Paper I 28

Paper II 28