This article, is a compilation of gems given by Dr. K.Vijayakarthikeyan (AIR 22 / CSE 2010) on the IOforum. At present, He is an IAS officer in Tamilnadu cadre.
- Disclaimer
- Advantages of anthropology
- Getting started with Anthropology
- Preparation of anthropology (mains)
- Useful books
- About these Books
- Tips for anthropology preparation
- Importance of diagrams in anthropology answer writing
Disclaimer
It’s completely based on my anthro strategy which helped me (Dr. Vijay) get 375 marks in Anthropology, in 1st attempt in cse 2010, it worked wonders with me, it may or may not work with you
Advantages of anthropology
- Scoring subject
- Interesting subject
- Easy to grasp especially For science graduates
Getting started with Anthropology
Anthropology is divided into two papers–
Paper 1
- Physical anthropology –
- prehistory-evolution of man,
- biological concepts of man,
- genetics and diseases,
- race
- Social anthropology(sociology related)
- family,marriage,religion,kinship etc
- Theories
- Misc – demography,research methodology etc
Paper 2
- Prehistory in india
- Indian social system
- Indian tribes and their problems
Mrunal Edit:
Entire syllabus of Anthropology can be seen on the Page 8 of UPSC 2012 Notification (Click me to download PDF).
IGNOU also run M.A. in Anthropology but unfortunately it seems they’ve not uploaded the PDF material on http://www.egyankosh.ac.in, as they did with History, Sociology and Public Administration.
Preparation of anthropology (mains)
It’s advisable to start anthro preparation as early as possible after the upsc preliminary examination and with focussed, systematic study one can complete the subject by end of august.
Useful books
- P.Nath(preferred) /das for physical anthropology.Nath is very useful for misc topics also
- Social anthropology by majumdar/madan
- Makhan jha’s book of anthropology theories
- Indian anthropology by R.N. Sharma
- Indian anthropology by Nadeem Hasnan
- is interesting but not commission exam oriented. Just keep glancing at it when u feel bored with other stuff thats more than enough. Do not waste time trying to cram it line by line.
- R.n.sharma is good for tribal topics, also get hold muniratnam sir’s notes plus do keep updating and make notes from min. Of tribal affairs websites wrt tribal legislations,schemes
- P.nath is good for the genetics /biology part
- Makhan Jha is an essential book as there are no good books available exclusively for theories) also make use of internet and prepare notes for theories given in union public service commission syllabus that are not in makhan jha.
- Das/nath havesimple diagrams for physical part but parts are not marked in both. There is a physical anthro book by r.n.sharma which has well marked parts but instead of buying that book just for diagrams,i suggest you see the topic in das/nath and then google the topic (eg. Neanderthal skull) you’l get beautiful diagrams.for diagrams on pre historic tools, ” an outline of indian prehistory ” by d.k.bhattacharya is good but again instead of getting the book you can get it from the internet. Most of my flow charts are result of my own thoughts- i just make a pictographic representation of the whole broad concept,didnt refer anywhere for it.
Tips for anthropology preparation
- Try to start preparation as soon as upsc preliminary examination are over(thats the reason for me posting now) instead of choosing it late and feeling sorry better start your preparation asap. I finished the whole thing in 4 months.
- Try attempting physical anthro based and theory based questions as much as possible.from what i know, socio based questions fetch lesser marks comparitively( i avoided questions like those on origin of language in the exam even though i knew it)
- When you come across a case study, note it down as use it at appropriate topics where you are expected to explain the concept
- Practice diagrams for physical part, diagrams will ultimately fetch us more marks
- Do not ignore theories part ,selective study is always dangerous
- Try to make good notes for theories and misc part as good material is not available in market.
- Keep updating the latest trends and developments in anthropology from newspaper/magazines and internet
Importance of diagrams in anthropology answer writing
- It’s more catchy and provides more information,saves examiner’s time also- if he finds your diagram to be very good, he’l be more inclined to like your description too.. So as far as physical anthro is concerned, neat diagrams will definitely give us an edge over others.. So practice diagrams
- By diagrams i meant anatomical -skull,vertebra,bones,teeth diagrams when we are asked to write about prehistoric man,also a good comparative diagram with modern man also can be given(depending on question).for questions on prehistoric stages you can give good diagrams of the tools used then, a rough picture of the habitat, some pictures of artefacts found etc.. Its easier to draw diagrams and then explain.
- Just read the theory part then spend 5 mins for looking at the diagram, then try and do a rough sketch.. 15 mins /day for the diagrams should be more than enough.. That too its only when you read the physical part..
- diagrams are important ( for physical anthro part only) because you can draw a picture and explain things easily than writing paras and paras( saves time too). It also shows that you know the concept better. Nobody will reduce your marks for not drawing, but you are bound to get more if u give neat sketches. So if you want really high scores then you have to pay attention to it.
- For non physical anthro part – give some pictorial additions – like a cycle(eg. Bonded labour question in 2010)/ flow chart- that way we have an edge over others
- Question : Is it required to draw skeletons and dentition for questions on neanderthals, australopithecines etc?? Answer. Yes.. Diagrams will definitely fetch you more marks..
- focussed preparation with good strategy and guidance will definitely succeed
From vishal singh
My drawing skills are quite poor and i had little prior exposure to biology (apart from ncert and the general stuff). I decided to take anthropology just before upsc preliminary examination results were out in august 2010. Somebody suggested me to read ember & ember to have an idea about anthropology, i found it very interesting, intuitive and structured. It was already too late, i had two months time to prepare, that too without coaching. Although my mains total of 278 (150+128) is not very impressive, it is more than what one expects to manage in two months time. I regret that i started it so late.
The bottom-line is that if you find the subject interesting and have right aptitude, you can prepare it from scratch even if you’ve a non life-science background. Drawing is not a matter of concern as there are only a few drawings to be prepared which can be practiced over time. More important is to understand the changes in features(in human anatomy as well as in tools etc.) And its effect on physical and cultural evolution. All that can be managed, provided you have sufficient time and willing to put efforts.
Nishi Sharma update (November-06-2012)
Syllabus should done in this sequence to understand the topics in better manner and in lesser time.
1 Intro
2 Biology
3 Research
4 Caste
5 Tribals
Hi sr is there any good institute in Delhi for Anthropology
can anyone please forward vaid ias academy in delhi mukherjeenagar
Hello I have opted for anthropology as optional and by going through the net I got the impression that for
Physical – p nath
Social – majumdar
Theory – makhan jha
For tribes – rn sharma
Rn sharma is not available so wat else book can I buy to study the tribal part
Also p nath book is not available can u pls suggest alternative books am a newbie in anthro and jus started preparing. Pls reply.me
for tribal part- nadeem hasnain , ministry of tribal affairs , newspapers for current affairs on tribes .
P nath is.obviously.available at flipkart saranya…
Any idea about the anthropology scores in 2013 mains. In the toppers interview none seem to have taken anthro as optional. ??
“MY SINCERE ADVICE TO EVERYONE IN DELHI IS TO AVOID VAID ICS COACHING”.
Spoiler: he pack up the batch within a month with you feeling like a real dumb!
Anthro coaching is available at vajiram ya D Vajiram from this year.. so rather join that in place of VAID !!!
Can Anyone tell me from where n how can I get notes of muniratnam or braintree? Is there a link ?
Delhi
Dear friends…plz inform where I can get muniratnam sir notes..and is it sufficient to cover all topics…plz reply..good luck to all
Please suggest for classroom coaching in Bangalore if any for Anthro.
Hi Sanjay,
You can consult Rao Sir ,Malleswaram for anthro classes
Hi Guys,
In Vajiram and ravi two teachers are there.
one from Hyderabad , who will be covering 20% of syllabus. as she has her own inst. in hyd.
2nd, their Science teacher. so in my view not a good option to join there.
Rather join Dr. Lakshmaiah or Srinivas.
Any body suggest me best coaching notes for Anthropology (IAS EXAM).
Regards
sachin
hi, for anthropology i have been through books like beatite , boaz etc.., but later what i found that to get through civils such knowledge is not compulsary …
in my opinion VAIDs is better than all materails available.. its a instant notes for success… go through it and all the best
Dr P V Lakshmaiah IAS Study Circle, Hyd. is the current best institution for Anthro.
where can i get vaid sir anthropology printed notes
u can procure it from vaids institute hardly 9000 bucks
I have taken anthro as my optionals. Could you please guide me as to whose notes among following is better :
Braintree ,
Brilliant
Munirathnam reddy.
Thanks and regards,
Both Braintree and muni rathnam’s is good
Dear Sir,
I out of my curiosity study Anthropology having vast arena to learn the evolution of homo-sapiens . Yes, your view of CS is wonderful and I rqst you to keep putting some thing in your column which will help students preparing for Civils…
rgrds
Sir..im doing mah u.g nd preparing for civils…im interested in anthropology nd want to opt as optional.so decided to do m.a anthropology..so could u suggest some good universities to study….
anybody tell me about where i can get anthropology books of ignou
Hey did you get IGNOU materials ? If yes please let me know, please guide me for the same.
Thanks in advance :)
Please suggest me the coaching for anthropology in Delhi (if possible near Karol Bagh)
Hello everyone
I have opted Anthropology but can’t take coaching because of financial problem and I have started preparation with brain tree notes but I don’t know what to study and how study, so it would be great help for me if someone suggest in this regard.
can i take anthro as obtional in hindi medium???
is thr enough material for hindi medium student…plzzzzz help……
i will appear in 2016 For cse. Currently i have started my preparation for anthropology as An optional.but recently i heard that upsc is planning to remove optionals from mains exam. How true is this is this mrunal sir? Should i continue with Anthro or not?
dont worry..optional will remain till 2017..u can count on it..
Hello All of Friends,
I am completed my B.E with Computer science. I am Preparation UPSC Exams But I have some problems Choose optional paper.I completed Geography From Alok ranjan sir. can i choose Anthropology subject actually geography is very long syllabus so i can’t completed with 3 months.Actually Anthropology is short syllabus and complete only 2 months, So please suggest to me. And who is the best coaching and Notes in Hindi medium.
Sir,i alrdy cmplte b.sc with anthropology..nw i’m prpring for Ips …nd i want to choose anthro as my optional sub…so plz kindly tell me some names of book which help me…plz u can text me -9613572797.plz its vry urgnt plz hlp me anybdy…
Sir i had taken these optionals 1.Geography , 2.Anthropology how these optionals for preparing civils .
And please sir which names of books will taken for successful preparation sir please anybody help me please my contact 9959529570
sir plz guide me regarding optional i am in dilemma either geography or anthro.I heard mugging need fr anthro is it ? I cany mug lot.also Sociology have less syllabus than anthro so why should anthro ?what makes it differ.I am science graduate.
basically sociology needs a broad range of understanding and thought of answer writing and u should have a broad knowledge about socialist personalities views and correlate it and coming to anthro its more or less syllabus to sociology and u need not mug up just study ad revise it and practice answer framing it will help u more and as of u said u r from science background it will help u in anthro and in exam point of view anthro is easier to revise where as socio is bulky ND TAKES long time soo rest depends on u
can we prepare anthropology with out coaching in 3 months with all vaid material ?
sir I m rightly now in ba 2nd with history pol snc and sociology. ..can i choose anthro instead of sociology. ..will u plxxx guide what i should have to read till graduation. …
sir i have done my graduation in MBBS and doing coaching for general study bt confused in opting optional subject..betwn Zoology and Anthropology..plz suggest better option…thanku..
Anthro do not require mugging,just understsnd the topic than write in crux and main points. Thats it.if possible make your own notes for Best understanding.
sir how is telugu academy books for anthropology as a basic study.
sir i am prepairing for the up coming prelims exam .i havent yet even start my optional. i had gone through the anthro syllabus and i feel it some easy for me . i am planing to self study with out any coaching . so plz help me to select the books which prefer more?