UPSC Anthropology Optional 2025 — Paper II

28 questions

1(b) Caste domination, factionalism and political power

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Caste System in India > Dominant Caste and Power

2025Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

7(c) Critically evaluate the concept of Nation-State and describe its impact on indigenous societies.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Tribe and Nation-State

2025Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

4(c) Critically examine the concept of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and mention the limitations of administrator's criteria.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Constitutional Safeguards for STs > ST Criteria

2025Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

7(a) Identify the contemporary limitations in the process of tribal development. How can anthropological knowledge contribute in this process?

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Tribal Development > Programmes and Limitations

2025Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

3(c) Highlight the significant contributions of B. S. Guha, Irawati Karve and S. R. K. Chopra to Indian Anthropology.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Emergence and Growth of Anthropology in India

2025Paper IIFoundations of AnthropologyModel answer available

4(b) Elucidate the role of demographic and social factors for population growth in India.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Demographic Profile of India > Population Growth

2025Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

3(b) Examine the environmental and biocultural factors influencing the health of tribals of India.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Problems of Tribal Communities > Health and Nutrition

2025Paper IITribal Problems & DisplacementAnswer coming soon

6(c) Trace the history and describe the methods of formulating the lists of OBCs, both at the State and National levels.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Caste and the State > OBC Classification

2025Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

2(c) Evaluate the impact of Christianity on Scheduled Tribe societies of North-East India.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Impact of Religions on Tribes > Christianity

2025Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

5(a) Impact of urbanization and industrialization on tribal communities of India

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Problems of Tribal Communities > Urbanisation and Industrialisation

2025Paper IITribal Problems & DisplacementModel answer available

8(b) Define minority. Elaborate the patterns of linguistic and religious minorities in India.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Ethnicity and Social Change > Minorities

2025Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(e) Characteristics and communication between Little and Great Traditions

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Traditional Indian Social System > Sacred Complex

2025Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

5(e) Lothal dockyard and international trade relations

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Harappan Civilization

2025Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

2(a) Discuss the palaeoanthropological significance of Siwaliks of India giving its subdivisions, fossil primate fauna and major primate fossil localities.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Palaeo-anthropological Evidence from India > Siwaliks

2025Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

8(c) What are the identifying criteria for PVTGs in India? Examine their current status, nomenclature and distribution.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Constitutional Safeguards > PVTGs

2025Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

1(c) Regionalism and Autonomy

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Ethnicity, Regionalism and Social Change

2025Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

7(b) Discuss the rising ethnic conflicts in India and propose their possible remedial measures.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Ethnicity and Social Change > Ethnic Conflict

2025Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

6(b) Discuss the role of NGOs in the socioeconomic and political development of weaker sections and the manner in which they facilitate other stakeholders.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Development Programmes > Role of NGOs

2025Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

2(b) Delineate the major features of S. S. Sarkar's classification of Indian populations. Was his classification better than Risley? Explain.

15 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Demographic Profile of India > Racial Classification

2025Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

1(a) 'Soanian cultural' tradition

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Prehistoric India

2025Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

8(a) Describe the nature of traditional socioeconomic interdependence among the Toda, Kota, Kurumba and Irula tribes of Nilgiri Hills. Highlight the changes occurring in these interrelationships.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Tribal Situation in India > Socio-economic Characteristics

2025Paper IITribal IndiaModel answer available

5(b) Taxonomic status of Ramapithecus in the light of Ramapithecus-Sivapithecus controversy

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Palaeo-anthropological Evidence from India > Siwalik Fossil Primates

2025Paper IIHuman Evolution & PrimatologyModel answer available

6(a) "The village was not merely a place where people lived; it had a design in which were reflected the basic values of Indian civilization." Who said this? Elaborate.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Indian Village > Village as a Social System

2025Paper IIVillage India, Urbanisation & Social ChangeModel answer available

5(c) Tribalism and Pseudotribalism

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Tribal Situation in India > Concept of Tribe

2025Paper IITribal IndiaModel answer available

4(a) What are the different types of caste mobility in India? Highlight the various factors responsible for it.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Caste System in India > Caste Mobility

2025Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

3(a) Describe the distinctive features and distribution of Upper Palaeolithic of India.

20 Marks

Syllabus: Paper II > Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Upper Palaeolithic

2025Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

5(d) Varnashrama and its contemporary relevance

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Traditional Indian Social System > Varnashrama

2025Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

1(d) Verrier Elwin's philosophy with respect to Arunachal Pradesh

10 Marks150 words

Syllabus: Paper II > Tribal Administration and Policy > Isolation–Assimilation–Integration

2025Paper IITribal Development, Policy & SafeguardsModel answer available

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2025 — Paper II

1(b) Caste domination, factionalism and political power

7(c) Critically evaluate the concept of Nation-State and describe its impact on indigenous societies.

4(c) Critically examine the concept of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and mention the limitations of administrator's criteria.

7(a) Identify the contemporary limitations in the process of tribal development. How can anthropological knowledge contribute in this process?

3(c) Highlight the significant contributions of B. S. Guha, Irawati Karve and S. R. K. Chopra to Indian Anthropology.

4(b) Elucidate the role of demographic and social factors for population growth in India.

3(b) Examine the environmental and biocultural factors influencing the health of tribals of India.

6(c) Trace the history and describe the methods of formulating the lists of OBCs, both at the State and National levels.

2(c) Evaluate the impact of Christianity on Scheduled Tribe societies of North-East India.

5(a) Impact of urbanization and industrialization on tribal communities of India

8(b) Define minority. Elaborate the patterns of linguistic and religious minorities in India.

1(e) Characteristics and communication between Little and Great Traditions

5(e) Lothal dockyard and international trade relations

2(a) Discuss the palaeoanthropological significance of Siwaliks of India giving its subdivisions, fossil primate fauna and major primate fossil localities.

8(c) What are the identifying criteria for PVTGs in India? Examine their current status, nomenclature and distribution.

1(c) Regionalism and Autonomy

7(b) Discuss the rising ethnic conflicts in India and propose their possible remedial measures.

6(b) Discuss the role of NGOs in the socioeconomic and political development of weaker sections and the manner in which they facilitate other stakeholders.

2(b) Delineate the major features of S. S. Sarkar's classification of Indian populations. Was his classification better than Risley? Explain.

1(a) 'Soanian cultural' tradition

8(a) Describe the nature of traditional socioeconomic interdependence among the Toda, Kota, Kurumba and Irula tribes of Nilgiri Hills. Highlight the changes occurring in these interrelationships.

5(b) Taxonomic status of Ramapithecus in the light of Ramapithecus-Sivapithecus controversy

6(a) "The village was not merely a place where people lived; it had a design in which were reflected the basic values of Indian civilization." Who said this? Elaborate.

5(c) Tribalism and Pseudotribalism

4(a) What are the different types of caste mobility in India? Highlight the various factors responsible for it.

3(a) Describe the distinctive features and distribution of Upper Palaeolithic of India.

5(d) Varnashrama and its contemporary relevance

1(d) Verrier Elwin's philosophy with respect to Arunachal Pradesh

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Environmental and Biocultural Factors in Tribal Health — 2025 Paper II

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2025 — Paper II