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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2023/Paper I/Human Genetics & Human Biology
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper I 2023 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Race and Ethnicity — 2023 Paper I

Question · 2023 · Paper I · 10 Marks

Race and Ethnicity

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Introduction

 In anthropology, "race" and "ethnicity" are distinct concepts used to classify human diversity. While early physical anthropology classified humans into biological races based on phenotypes, modern anthropology rejects this, recognizing race as a social construct and focusing instead on ethnicity as a dynamic cultural identity.

Body

  1. The Fallacy of Biological Race vs. Social Reality
  • Biological Myth: Geneticists like Richard Lewontin proved that human variation is clinal, with more genetic variation within so-called races than between them. The UNESCO Statement on Race (1950) officially debunked biological race.
  • Social Construct: As Ashley Montagu argued in Man’s Most Dangerous Myth, race is a socio-political construct used historically to justify hierarchy and colonialism.
  1. Ethnicity: The Cultural Reality
  • Cultural Basis: Ethnicity is rooted in shared cultural traits—language, religion, ancestry, and territory.
  • Boundary Maintenance: Anthropologist Fredrik Barth (Ethnic Groups and Boundaries, 1969) emphasized that ethnicity is not just about isolated cultural content, but about the social boundaries groups maintain to distinguish "us" from "them" through continuous interaction.
  1. Key Distinctions (Draw as a quick table in exam)
  • Origin: Race is typically imposed externally based on perceived physical traits; Ethnicity is often self-identified and internally claimed.
  • Fluidity: Racial categories are rigid and historically entrenched; Ethnic identities are highly fluid, situational, and can change through migration or political mobilization.

Conclusion Anthropology today treats "race" cautiously as a socio-historical construct with real-world consequences (racism), while "ethnicity" is viewed as the primary, dynamic mechanism of human collective identification. As Montagu suggested, studying ethnic groups offers a far more accurate and humane understanding of human diversity.

2026 Distinguishing features of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. 2026 How would you find out that a particular disease/disorder is inherited and, if so, in which manner? Elaborate with suitable examples. 2026 What do you understand by fertility and mortality? How are these influenced by biological and socio-ecological factors? 2026 In what manner is our understanding of serogenetics and cytogenetics useful in reproductive biology? What are the major ethical issues involved in reproductive technology?

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2023 — Paper I

28 questions

1(b) Cultural impact of Iron Age

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution > Iron Age
2023Paper IPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

1(e) Gene expression

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.7 The biological basis of life > Gene and protein synthesis
2023Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

5(c) Glottochronology

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Language change
2023Paper ICulture & SocietyModel answer available

5(d) Menopausal symptoms

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bio-events to fertility
2023Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyAnswer coming soon

5(a) Polygenic Inheritance

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.2 Mendelian genetics in man > Polygenic inheritance
2023Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

1(c) Race and Ethnicity

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Race and ethnicity
2023Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

5(e) William Ogburn and Cultural lag

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Cultural lag (Ogburn)
2023Paper IAnthropological TheoriesModel answer available