[Download] UPSC Mains-2015: Anthropology Optional Subject Question Paper-1 & Paper-2

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  1. Anthropology Optional Paper Instructions
  2. Paper-1: SECTION-A
  3. Paper-1: SECTION-B
  4. Paper-2: Section-A
  5. Paper-2: Section-B

Anthropology Optional Paper Instructions

  1. Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 250
  2. There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI arid in ENGLISH.
  3. Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
  4. Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remitting, any THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each section.
  5. The number of marks carried by a question part is indicated against it.
  6. Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly WI the Miler of this Question-cum-Answer-QC., Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one. Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to
  7. Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off

Paper-1: SECTION-A

Q1. Write notes on the following in about 150 words each:— 10 x 5 = 50 marks.

  1. Archaeological Anthropology.
  2. Society and Culture.
  3. Incest Taboos.
  4. Horticulture.
  5. Historical Particularism.

Q2: 15 + 20 + 15 marks

  1. Elucidate the biological and cultural factors in Human Evolution.
  2. How did Morgan explain the evolution of marriage, family and Socio-Political organization, and how did other evolutionists disagree with his explanation? 20
  3. How do diffusionism and evolutionism differ as explanations of Culture Change? 15

Q3: 15 + 15 + 20 marks.

  1. Define family and critically examine the universality of family
  2. How do you relate the concepts of ‘Sacred’ and ‘Profane’ in Durkheim’s theory of religion with a focus on the role of totem? 15
  3. Explain the basic features of ‘Postmodernism’ in Anthropology. 20

Q4: 20 + 10 + 20

  1. Critically examine the Formalists’ and Substantivists’ views on the applicability of economic laws in the study of primitive societies. 20
  2. Explain the difference between emic and etic, and how does the difference derive from the study of language? 10
  3. What made Geertz’s Interpretive Anthropology distinct from Turner’s Symbolic Anthropology? What does each of them mean by the terms ‘Symbol’ and ‘Symbolic’?

Paper-1: SECTION-B

Q5. Write notes on the following in about 150 words each :— 10 x 5 = 50

  1. Palaeolithic culture.
  2. Down’s Syndrome.
  3. Longitudinal method of studying growth.
  4. Menopause and its impact.
  5. DNA technology in Medicine.

Q6. 20 + 15 + 15 Marks

  1. Describe the salient characteristics and geographical distribution of Homo erectus. 20
  2. Critically examine Darwin’s theory of evolution in understanding evolution. 15
  3. Discuss chromosomal aberrations in man illustrating with examples. 15

Q7. 20 + 15 + 15 Marks

  1. What is an anthropometric somatotype? Describe Heath and Carter’s method of somatotyping.
  2. Critically examine the physiological responses and acclimatization to cold climate in Man. 15
  3. Elucidate the role of Anthropology in selection and monitoring of sports persons. 15

Q8 20 + 15 + 15 Marks

  1. Forensic Science can help in criminal investigations. Discuss. 20
  2. Define genetic polymorphism. Give details of its types with suitable examples. 15
  3. What do you understand by Immunogenetics? Explain with suitable examples. 15

Paper-2: Section-A

Total 250 marks, duration: 3 hours; instructions: Same instructions as Paper-1.
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

  1. Relevance of tribal Panchsheel today
  2. Sacred complex as a dimension of Indian civilization
  3. South Indian Paleoliths
  4. Panchayati Raj Institutions and Social Change
  5. Rights over resources and tribal unrest

Q2: 20 + 15 + 15 marks.

  1. Examine the social implications of media and communication technology. 20
  2. Briefly describe the classical models of ethnic and linguistic classification of Indian population. Discuss its relevance today.
  3. Discuss the problems faced by religious minorities in India.

Q3: 20 + 15 + 15 marks.

  1. Discuss how constitutional provisions in India have built-in mechanisms for dealing with the problem of land alienation in tribal areas.
  2. Discuss the impact of Hinduism on the status of tribal women in Central India. 15
  3. Describe the paleoanthropological fossil finds from Siwalik hills. Examine the contribution of Siwalik fossils to paleoanthropological knowledge.

Q4: 20 + 15 + 15 marks.

  1. Critically examine the concept of communalism religious and multiethnic polity of India.
  2. Examine in detail the role of anthropology in planning for tribal development.
  3. Critically compare ‘Affirmative Action’ of USA and ‘Protective Discrimination’ for Scheduled Tribes in India.

Paper-2: Section-B

Q5. Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10 x 5 = 50 marks.

  1. Prehistoric Rock Art of Central India
  2. Islam and Matriliny
  3. Socioeconomic characteristics of shifting cultivators
  4. Elwin Ghurye debate on Tribes
  5. Role of Governor in Fifth Schedule Areas

Q6. 20 + 15+ 15 Marks

  1. Examine the contribution of village studies towards the understanding of Indian social system.
  2. Discuss the impact of globalization on village economy in India.
  3. Discuss the significance of Harappan Civilization sites from India.

Q7. 20 + 15+ 15 Marks

  1. Recently non-government organizations have been critiqued for interferinr, with developmental process in tribal heartland I Critically comment.
  2. Discuss the nature of social change in tribal India under the impact of developmental programmes.
  3. Discuss the contribution of M. N. Srinivas to the study of Indian society. Examine the influence of British social anthropologists on his ideas.

Q8. 20 + 15 + 15 Marks

  1. What do you understand by dynamics, of caste mobility? How did the concept. of Sanskritization contribute to its functionality?
  2. Critically examine the concept of tribe-caste continuum and its relevance in contemporary India.
  3. Discuss the sociocultural, economic and psychological constraints responsible for low literacy in tribal areas.
Indian History Freedom Struggle Pratik Nayak

28 Comments on “[Download] UPSC Mains-2015: Anthropology Optional Subject Question Paper-1 & Paper-2”

  3. Reply

    क्या कोई anthropology से related paper का कुछ बताएगा।।।।

  5. Reply

    Sir kindly upload medical science optional paper pls
    Trying hard since the exam got over but couldn’t find it…..as I don’t have the contact of people who have given exam this year

  9. Reply

    Except 2 sub questions in paper-ll for 20+5 marks,,remaining can be answered with good understanding and most importantly with very very good revision. Around 3-4 sub questions from both papers are from current developments in the discipline, of course can be done. But one thing for sure those who r thinking anthro is easy it another way round, u can only answer with multiple revision of entire syllabus.

  10. Reply

    UPSC has increased the difficulty level of anthropology this…now merely going through old paper’s solution won’t help anymore…we need to make proper notes without escaping any topic…

  13. Reply

    Paper 1 was easier than last time but found it difficult to recollect due to less time for revision before exam. Paper 2 was more analytical, not sure how marking will be

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