Syllabus: Paper I > Prehistoric Archaeology > Lower Palaeolithic > Oldowan and Acheulian traditions
2024 · Paper I
Anthropology Optional Paper I PYQ 2024
Explore 28 official UPSC Anthropology Optional 2024 Paper I questions, organised by section, marks, syllabus and topic. Model answers are coming soon.
Q1(a)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Attributes of culture
Syllabus: Paper I > Nature of Culture > Characteristics of Culture > Attributes of culture
Culture & Society
Q1(b)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Harappan maritime trade
Syllabus: Paper I > Prehistoric Archaeology > Chalcolithic and Bronze Age > Harappan civilization; maritime trade
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q1(c)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Critical perspective on avoidance and joking relationship
Syllabus: Paper I > Kinship > Kinship Behaviour > Avoidance and joking relationships
Kinship
Q1(d)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Lethal and sublethal genes
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Mendelian Genetics in Man > Lethal and sublethal genes
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q1(e)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Hemoglobin in health and disease
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Genetic Polymorphism > Haemoglobinopathies; health and disease
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q2(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss historical particularism as a critical development to the classical evolutionism.
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Historical Particularism > Critique of classical evolutionism
Anthropological Theories
Q2(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Describe the evidences of food production and domestication of animals with special reference to Mehrgarh. Throw light on its significance.
Syllabus: Paper I > Prehistoric Archaeology > Neolithic > Origin of food production; domestication; Mehrgarh
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q2(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Critically comment on the lifestyle diseases and their impact on human health.
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Biology > Epidemiological and Nutritional Anthropology > Lifestyle diseases
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q3(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
What is meant by karyotype? How does its analysis help in diagnosis of the chromosomal aberrations in man?
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Chromosomes and Chromosomal Aberrations > Karyotyping
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q3(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Define urbanization and discuss its impact on family in India with examples.
Syllabus: Paper I > Family > Impact of Change on Family > Urbanisation and the family
Marriage & Family
Q3(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the contemporary challenges in fieldwork method in anthropological research.
Syllabus: Paper I > Research Methods > Fieldwork Tradition > Contemporary challenges in fieldwork
Research Methods in Anthropology
Q4(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Critically discuss the characteristics of the psychological types in the cultures of the American South-West as observed by Ruth Benedict.
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Culture and Personality > Ruth Benedict; configurational approach
Anthropological Theories
Q4(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the Acheulian and Oldowan traditions of Indian Paleolithic cultures with suitable illustrations.
Syllabus: Paper I > Prehistoric Archaeology > Lower Palaeolithic > Oldowan and Acheulian traditions
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q4(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
What is genetic counselling? Briefly discuss various steps involved in it.
Syllabus: Paper I > Applications of Anthropology > Applied Human Genetics > Genetic counselling
Applied & Forensic Anthropology
Q5(a)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Chronometric dating
Syllabus: Paper I > Prehistoric Archaeology > Chronology and Dating > Chronometric (absolute) dating methods
Prehistoric Archaeology
Q5(b)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Cultural relevance of the Kula
Syllabus: Paper I > Economic Organization > Reciprocity and Exchange > Kula ring
Economic & Political Anthropology
Q5(c)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Heritability and its estimation
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Quantitative Genetics > Heritability and its estimation
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q5(d)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Authority and forms of political organization
Syllabus: Paper I > Political Organization and Social Control > Power, Authority and Legitimacy > Band, tribe, chiefdom, state
Economic & Political Anthropology
Q5(e)
10 Marks 150 words Model Answer Available
Single-gene mutation disorders in man
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Mutation and Genetic Disorders > Single-gene disorders
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q6(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the geographical distribution of Homo erectus. Taking into account its physical features, where does it fit in human evolutionary line?
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Evolution > Fossil Hominids > Homo erectus: distribution and phylogenetic status
Human Evolution & Primatology
Q6(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the applications of forensic anthropology with suitable examples.
Syllabus: Paper I > Applications of Anthropology > Forensic Anthropology > Applications and personal identification
Applied & Forensic Anthropology
Q6(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
How does Levi-Strauss look at the Tsimshian myth of Asdiwal? Critically discuss Levi-Strauss' theory of structuralism in the light of his study of mythologies.
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Structuralism > Levi-Strauss; myth analysis; Asdiwal
Anthropological Theories
Q7(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Critically explain the notion of 'deconstruction' in the light of the postmodern works of Jacques Derrida.
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Post-Modernism > Deconstruction; Derrida
Anthropological Theories
Q7(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
What is a multifactorial trait? Illustrate your answer with suitable human examples.
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Quantitative Genetics > Multifactorial inheritance
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q7(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Discuss the applicability of various sampling techniques in selecting the study group.
Syllabus: Paper I > Research Methods > Tools of Data Collection > Sampling techniques
Research Methods in Anthropology
Q8(a)
20 Marks Model Answer Available
Examine critically the concept of social stratification as a basis for sustaining social inequality.
Syllabus: Paper I > Nature of Society > Social Groups, Status and Role > Social stratification and inequality
Culture & Society
Q8(b)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Describe the genetics and inheritance patterns of the ABO and Rh blood groups in man.
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Blood Group Systems > ABO and Rh inheritance
Human Genetics & Human Biology
Q8(c)
15 Marks Model Answer Available
Critically discuss the synergistic effect of biological and cultural factors in human evolution.
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Evolution > Biological and Cultural Factors > Bio-cultural synergy in human evolution
Human Evolution & Primatology
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2024 — Paper I
28 questionsSyllabus: Paper I > Applications of Anthropology > Forensic Anthropology > Applications and personal identification
1(a) Attributes of culture
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Nature of Culture > Characteristics of Culture > Attributes of culture
5(d) Authority and forms of political organization
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Political Organization and Social Control > Power, Authority and Legitimacy > Band, tribe, chiefdom, state
1(c) Critical perspective on avoidance and joking relationship
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Kinship > Kinship Behaviour > Avoidance and joking relationships
5(a) Chronometric dating
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Prehistoric Archaeology > Chronology and Dating > Chronometric (absolute) dating methods
Syllabus: Paper I > Research Methods > Fieldwork Tradition > Contemporary challenges in fieldwork
5(b) Cultural relevance of the Kula
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Economic Organization > Reciprocity and Exchange > Kula ring
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Post-Modernism > Deconstruction; Derrida
Syllabus: Paper I > Prehistoric Archaeology > Neolithic > Origin of food production; domestication; Mehrgarh
Syllabus: Paper I > Applications of Anthropology > Applied Human Genetics > Genetic counselling
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Blood Group Systems > ABO and Rh inheritance
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Evolution > Fossil Hominids > Homo erectus: distribution and phylogenetic status
1(b) Harappan maritime trade
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Prehistoric Archaeology > Chalcolithic and Bronze Age > Harappan civilization; maritime trade
1(e) Hemoglobin in health and disease
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Genetic Polymorphism > Haemoglobinopathies; health and disease
5(c) Heritability and its estimation
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Quantitative Genetics > Heritability and its estimation
2(a) Discuss historical particularism as a critical development to the classical evolutionism.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Historical Particularism > Critique of classical evolutionism
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Chromosomes and Chromosomal Aberrations > Karyotyping
1(d) Lethal and sublethal genes
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Mendelian Genetics in Man > Lethal and sublethal genes
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Structuralism > Levi-Strauss; myth analysis; Asdiwal
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Biology > Epidemiological and Nutritional Anthropology > Lifestyle diseases
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Quantitative Genetics > Multifactorial inheritance
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Culture and Personality > Ruth Benedict; configurational approach
Syllabus: Paper I > Research Methods > Tools of Data Collection > Sampling techniques
5(e) Single-gene mutation disorders in man
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Mutation and Genetic Disorders > Single-gene disorders
Syllabus: Paper I > Nature of Society > Social Groups, Status and Role > Social stratification and inequality
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Evolution > Biological and Cultural Factors > Bio-cultural synergy in human evolution
Syllabus: Paper I > Family > Impact of Change on Family > Urbanisation and the family