Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 Tribal policies > Isolation-assimilation debate > Ghurye
2023 · Paper II
Anthropology Optional Paper II PYQ 2023
Explore 28 official UPSC Anthropology Optional 2023 Paper II questions, organised by section, marks, syllabus and topic. Model answers are coming soon.
Q1(a)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Material culture and archaeology
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India > Material culture
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q1(b)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Interface between Purushartha and Ashrama
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Varnashram, Purushartha
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q1(c)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Jajmani system : continuity and change
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Jajmani system
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q1(d)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Prehistoric rock arts from Uttarakhand
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Prehistoric rock art
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q1(e)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Religious pluralism and social solidarity
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their status
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q2(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
“Tribes are backward Hindus.” Critically comment with reference to the contributions of G. S. Ghurye.
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 Tribal policies > Isolation-assimilation debate > Ghurye
Tribal Development, Policy & Safeguards
Q2(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
“Indus Valley was the first settlement of the big civilization.” Comment critically.
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Indus Civilization
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q2(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the basic tenets of Jainism and its impact on Indian society.
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q3(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
“Sanskritization is a culture-bound concept.” Critically comment to assess the strength and limitation of this concept in developing a theoretical framework to study social change.
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Sanskritization
Village India, Urbanisation & Social Change
Q3(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Was Mesolithic culture the first step towards sedentary way of life? Illustrate your answer by citing suitable examples.
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Mesolithic
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q3(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Critically examine the impact of modern democratic institutions on contemporary tribal societies. Illustrate with suitable ethnographic examples.
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.2 Impact of modern democratic institutions on tribals
Ethnicity, Tribal Movements & Social Change
Q4(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Elucidate the problems faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and the major challenges in the formulation of special programmes for their development.
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 The concept of PTGs / PVTGs > Special programmes
Tribal Development, Policy & Safeguards
Q4(b)
15 Marks Answer Coming Soon
Critically compare Risley's and Sarkar's approaches to the classification of peoples of India.
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Racial classification
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q4(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Is caste mobility a recent phenomenon? Discuss in the light of Indological and Empirical context.
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Caste mobility
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q5(a)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Scheduled areas
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes > Scheduled Areas
Tribal Development, Policy & Safeguards
Q5(b)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Ramapithecus-Sivapithecus debate
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Siwaliks
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q5(c)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Village as little republic
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Indian village as a social system
Village India, Urbanisation & Social Change
Q5(d)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Dravidian languages and their subgroups
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements > Dravidian family
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q5(e)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Karma and Rebirth
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Karma, Rina and Rebirth
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q6(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Is annihilation of caste possible? Discuss the future of caste system in the light of various proactive measures taken by the Indian State.
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Future of the caste system
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
Q6(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Distinguishing between ethnic identity and ethnicity, discuss the factors responsible for ethnic conflict in tribal areas.
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 The concept of ethnicity > Ethnic conflicts
Ethnicity, Tribal Movements & Social Change
Q6(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
“Siwalik deposits show a variety of Neogene fossil primates.” Critically examine.
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Siwaliks
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q7(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Elucidate the shifting terrains of India's tribal policies in colonial and post-colonial periods.
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 History of administration of tribal areas and tribal policies
Tribal Development, Policy & Safeguards
Q7(b)
15 Marks Answer Coming Soon
Critically examine how the displacement of tribal communities due to hydroelectric river dam projects has affected the women in local context. Illustrate with suitable ethnographic examples.
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement
Tribal Problems & Displacement
Q7(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Elucidate the role of anthropology in nation building. Illustrate with suitable examples.
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development
Applied & Forensic Anthropology
Q8(a)
20 Marks Answer Coming Soon
Discuss the distribution of tribes in different geographical regions of India. Identify the distinct institutional features of tribal societies of these regions.
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Distribution of tribal populations
Tribal India
Q8(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Critically evaluate the contributions of S. C. Roy to Indian anthropology.
Syllabus: Paper II > 4. Emergence, growth and development of anthropology in India > S. C. Roy
Foundations of Anthropology
Q8(c)
15 Marks Answer Coming Soon
How are Other Backward Classes identified? Enumerating the important features, elucidate the recent changes in their social and economic life.
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Other Backward Classes
Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2023 — Paper II
28 questionsSyllabus: Paper II > 3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Distribution of tribal populations
5(d) Dravidian languages and their subgroups
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements > Dravidian family
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 The concept of ethnicity > Ethnic conflicts
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Other Backward Classes
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Indus Civilization
1(b) Interface between Purushartha and Ashrama
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Varnashram, Purushartha
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Future of the caste system
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Caste mobility
1(c) Jajmani system : continuity and change
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Jajmani system
5(e) Karma and Rebirth
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Karma, Rina and Rebirth
1(a) Material culture and archaeology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India > Material culture
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Mesolithic
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.2 Impact of modern democratic institutions on tribals
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 The concept of PTGs / PVTGs > Special programmes
1(d) Prehistoric rock arts from Uttarakhand
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Prehistoric rock art
5(b) Ramapithecus-Sivapithecus debate
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Siwaliks
1(e) Religious pluralism and social solidarity
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their status
4(b) Critically compare Risley's and Sarkar's approaches to the classification of peoples of India.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Racial classification
7(c) Elucidate the role of anthropology in nation building. Illustrate with suitable examples.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development
Syllabus: Paper II > 4. Emergence, growth and development of anthropology in India > S. C. Roy
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Sanskritization
5(a) Scheduled areas
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes > Scheduled Areas
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 History of administration of tribal areas and tribal policies
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Siwaliks
5(c) Village as little republic
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Indian village as a social system