UPSC Anthropology Optional Coaching in Bangalore

“Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present. By understanding our history, we can better navigate our future. This resonates deeply with our approach to guiding UPSC aspirants, particularly those choosing anthropology as their optional subject.

Selecting the right optional subject is a critical decision in a UPSC aspirant’s journey, given its significant weight in the mains examination.

An ideal optional subject should not only help you excel in the mains but also act as a safety net, balancing out the scores in General Studies. It should allow you to reach your highest potential.

Why Choose Anthropology as an Optional?

Anthropology, with its broad and interdisciplinary nature, is a smart choice for many reasons:

Its comprehensibility makes it a popular choice among aspirants.
It encompasses various topics covered in GS Paper 1 and the Essay paper in mains.
It has a commendable track record of successful candidates.
Easy availability of study material.

Who Should Opt for Anthropology as an Optional?

Choosing anthropology is ideal for those with:

A genuine interest in the subject.
Difficulty in rote learning, as anthropology requires more understanding and conceptual clarity.

Is Anthropology a Scoring Subject?

Many candidates score above 300 in anthropology, making it a preferred optional. While UPSC doesn’t favour any optional subject, your interest should always take precedence.

Why Join Our Best Anthropology Coaching in Bangalore and Across India?

We provide detailed coverage of both Anthropology papers I & II, topic-wise modules, and special lecture series on answer writing practice. Get access to 150+ hours of offline/online lectures by Delhi-based faculty members.

Benefits of Online Anthropology Coaching:

Enjoy the flexibility of learning at your time, your place. With online coaching, you never miss a lecture, and you save time on commuting.

Choose Us for Your Anthropology Optional Preparation:

Our course is designed for those interested in opting for anthropology as an optional, facing problems in understanding theories, and struggling with answer writing. Our course will help you unlock your potential and grasp the basics.

Answer Writing in Anthropology:

Our coaching emphasizes answer writing techniques specific to anthropology. We encourage adding anthropologists’ views, data, facts, figures, and technical terms. We guide you to interlink topics and use case studies for a comprehensive answer.

Booklist for Anthropology Optional for UPSC

The suggested books below cover the UPSC Anthropology syllabus, but it is not necessary to read each book comprehensively. Focus on reading the specific chapters and topics in each book that are relevant to the UPSC exam. Be strategic in selecting which portions to study rather than trying to get through every page of these reference books.

Basics:

Selected chapters of NCERT Sociology and Biology – XI and XII

Paper-1:

“Physical Anthropology” by P. Nath
“Anthropology Simplified” by Vivek Bhasme
“Anthropology” by Ember & Ember

Paper-2:

“Indian Anthropology” by Nadeem Hasnain
“Tribal India” by Nadeem Hasnain
“Anthropology Simplified” by Vivek Bhasme
“The Tribal Culture of India” by LP Vidyarthi
Xaxa Report
Yojana articles on Tribal and Marginalized Communities

The key is to combine selective reading with solving previous years’ question papers to identify and prioritize the most important areas of the UPSC Anthropology syllabus to maximize your preparation efficiency.

Join us today for the best online anthropology classes in India, and let us guide you towards achieving your UPSC dream.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE OPTIONAL SUBJECT PROGRAMME (OSP) FOR UPSC 2025

Duration of the Course: September 2024 to February 2025 (5 months).
The Optional Subject will be covered in 4-hour classes for 3 days a week during the 5 months.
There will be 6 full-length tests along with daily answer writing practice as part of the optional course.
The classes for the optional subjects will be held in offline and live-and-interactive online modes.
The tests for optional subjects can be attempted in both online and offline modes.

Anthropology Optional Coaching Fees:

We offer highly competitive fees for our comprehensive courses:

Online video lectures for both optional papers 1 & 2 + soft copy study material: Rs. 25,000/-
Classroom lectures for both optional papers 1 & 2 + study material + 6 tests: Rs. 40,000/-

For registration: Visit Legacy IAS Academy Registration or contact us on 9606900004/05.

Offline + Live-and-Interactive Online Classes for Optional Subject

Classes are made accessible through three modes:

Offline physical classroom sessions,
Live and interactive online sessions, and
Recorded sessions.

Our platform ensures that the offline physical classroom sessions and the online interactive sessions run simultaneously, so even if you are unable to attend in person, you can join the live online sessions from anywhere without missing out on asking doubts and answering questions. In case you are unable to attend even the online sessions, recorded sessions will be provided without any unreasonable caveats such as deletion within a few days.

Legacy IAS Academy’s Online Platform for Live Interactive Sessions

Optional subjects are also included as a part of the Foundation Course and 2-Years Integrated Course offered at Legacy IAS Academy. These courses integrate coaching for the optional subject along with General Studies subjects and include features such as test-series, mains answer-writing practice, personal guidance programme (LRP), study materials, etc., included in the course.

UPSC Anthropology Syllabus for Paper 1

Here is an overview of the Anthropology optional syllabus for UPSC Paper-1:

1.1 Meaning, Scope and development of Anthropology.

1.2 Relationships with other disciplines: Social Sciences, behavioural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Earth Sciences and Humanities.

1.3 Main branches of Anthropology, their scope and relevance:

(a) Social-cultural Anthropology.

(b) Biological Anthropology.

(d) Linguistic Anthropology.

1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man:

(a) Biological and Cultural factors in human evolution.

(b) Theories of Organic Evolution (Pre-Darwinian, Darwinian and Post-Darwinian).

(c) Synthetic theory of evolution; Brief outline of terms and concepts of evolutionary biology (Doll’s rule, Cope’s rule, Gause’s rule, parallelism, convergence, adaptive radiation, and mosaic evolution).

1.5 Characteristics of Primates; Evolutionary Trend and Primate Taxonomy; Primate Adaptations; (Arboreal and Terrestrial) Primate Taxonomy; Primate Behaviour; Tertiary and Quaternary fossil primates; Living Major Primates; Comparative Anatomy of Man and Apes; Skeletal changes due to erect posture and its implications.

1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution of the following:

(a) Plio-pleistocene hominids in South and East Africa—Australopithecines.

(b) Homo erectus: Africa (Paranthropus), Europe (Homo erectus (heidelbergensis), Asia (Homo erectus javanicus, Homo erectus pekinensis.

(d) Rhodesian man.

(e) Homo sapiens—Cromagnon, Grimaldi and Chancelade.

1.7 The biological basis of Life: The Cell, DNA structure and replication, Protein Synthesis, Gene, Mutation, Chromosomes, and Cell Division.

1.8 (a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology. Chronology: Relative and Absolute Dating methods.

(b) Cultural Evolution—Broad Outlines of Prehistoric cultures:

(i) Paleolithic

(ii) Mesolithic

(iii) Neolithic

(iv) Chalcolithic

(v) Copper-Bronze Age

(vi) Iron Age

2.1 The Nature of Culture: The concept and Characteristics of culture and civilization; Ethnocentrism vis-a-vis cultural Relativism.

2.2 The Nature of Society: Concept of Society; Society and Culture; Social Institution; Social groups; and Social stratification.

2.3 Marriage: Definition and universality; Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy, hypogamy, incest taboo); Type of marriage (monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, group marriage). Functions of marriage; Marriage regulations (preferential, prescriptive and proscriptive); Marriage payments (bride wealth and dowry).

2.4 Family: Definition and universality; Family, household and domestic groups; functions of family; Types of family (from the perspectives of structure, blood relation, marriage, residence and succession); Impact of urbanization, industrialization and feminist movements on family.

2.5 Kinship: Consanguinity and Affinity; Principles and types of descent (Unilineal, Double, Bilateral Ambilineal); Forms of descent groups (lineage, clan, phratry, moiety and kindred); Kinship terminology (descriptive and classificatory); Descent, Filiation and Complimentary Filiation; Descent and Alliance.

Economic Organization: Meaning, scope and relevance of economic anthropology; Formalist and Substantivist debate; Principles governing production, distribution and exchange (reciprocity, redistribution and market), in communities, subsisting on hunting and gathering, fishing, swiddening, pastoralism, horticulture, and agriculture; globalization and indigenous economic systems.
Political Organization and Social Control: Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; concepts of power, authority and legitimacy; social control, law and justice in simple Societies.
Religion: Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in tribal and peasant Societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and science distinguished; magico-religious functionaries (priest, shaman, medicine man, sorcerer and witch).
Anthropological theories:

(a) Classical evolutionism (Tylor, Morgan and Frazer)

(b) Historical particularism (Boas) Diffusionism (British, German and American)

(d) Structuralism (Levi-Strauss and E. Leach)

(e) Culture and personality (Benedict, Mead, Linton, Kardiner and Cora-du Bois)

(f) Neo—evolutionism (Childe, White, Steward, Sahlins and Service)

(g) Cultural materialism (Harris)

(h) Symbolic and interpretive theories (Turner, Schneider and Geertz)

(i) Cognitive theories (Tyler, Conklin)

(j) Postmodernism in anthropology.

Culture, Language and Communication: Nature, origin and characteristics of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social context of language use.
Research methods in Anthropology

(a) Fieldwork tradition in anthropology

(b) Distinction between technique, method and methodology

(c) Tools of data collection: observation, interview, schedules, questionnaire, case study, genealogy, life-history, oral history, secondary sources of information, participatory methods.

(d) Analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.

9.1 Human Genetics: Methods and Application: Methods for study of genetic principles in man-family study (pedigree analysis, twin study, foster child, co-twin method, cytogenetic method, chromosome and karyo-type analysis), biochemical methods, immunological methods, D.N.A. technology and recombinant technologies.

9.2 Mendelian genetics in man-family study, single factor, multifactor, lethal, sub-lethal and polygenic inheritance in man.

9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection, Mendelian population, Hardy-Weinberg law; causes and changes which bring down frequency-mutation, isolation, migration, selection, inbreeding and genetic drift. Consanguineous and non-consanguineous mating, genetic load, genetic effect of consanguineous and cousin marriages.

9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man, methodology.

(a) Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders).

(b) Sex chromosomal aberration- Klinefelter (XXY), Turner (XO), Super female (XXX), intersex and other syndromic disorders.

(d) Genetic imprints in human disease, genetic screening, genetic counseling, human DNA profiling, gene mapping and genome study.

9.5 Race and racism, biological basis of morphological variation of non-metric and characters. Racial criteria, racial traits in relation to heredity and environment; biological basis of racial classification, racial differentiation and race crossing in man.

9.6 Age, sex and population variation as genetic markers: ABO, Rh blood groups, HLA Hp, transferring, Gm, blood enzymes. Physiological characteristics-Hb level, body fat, pulse rate, respiratory functions and sensory perceptions in different cultural and socio-economic groups.

9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology: Bio-cultural Adaptations—Genetic and Non-genetic factors. Man’s physiological responses to environmental stresses: hot desert, cold, high altitude climate.

9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology: Health and disease. Infectious and non-infectious diseases, Nutritional deficiency related diseases.

Concept of human growth and Development: Stages of growth—prenatal, natal, infant, childhood, adolescence, maturity, senescence.

—Factors affecting growth and development genetic, environmental, biochemical, nutritional, cultural and socio-economic.

—Ageing and senescence. Theories and observations

—Biological and chronological longevity. Human physique and somatotypes. Methodologies for growth studies.

11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bioevents to fertility. Fertility patterns and differentials.

11.2 Demographic theories-biological, social and cultural.

11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality.

Applications of Anthropology: Anthropology of sports, Nutritional anthropology, Anthropology in designing of defence and other equipments, Forensic Anthropology, Methods and principles of personal identification and reconstruction, Applied human genetics—Paternity diagnosis, genetic counseling and eugenics, DNA technology in diseases and medicine, serogenetics and cytogenetics in reproductive biology.

Anthropology Optional Syllabus – Paper 2

Here is an overview of the Anthropology optional syllabus for UPSC Paper-2:

1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization— Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic-Chalcolithic), Protohistoric (Indus Civilization). Pre-Harappan, Harappan and post- Harappan cultures. Contributions of the tribal cultures to Indian civilization.

1.2 Palaeo—Anthropological evidence from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).

1.3. Ethno-archaeology in India: The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including arts and crafts producing communities.

Demographic profile of India—Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their distribution. Indian population—factors influencing its structure and growth.

3.1 The structure and nature of the traditional Indian social system—Varnashrama, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth.

3.2 Caste system in India— Structure and characteristics Varna and caste, Theories of origin of caste system, Dominant caste, Caste mobility, Future of caste system, Jajmani system. Tribe-caste continuum.

3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex.

3.4. Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity of Indian society.

Emergence, growth and development in India— Contributions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.

5.1 Indian Village—Significance of village study in India; Indian village as a social system; Traditional and changing patterns of settlement and inter-caste relations; Agrarian relations in Indian villages; Impact of globalization on Indian villages.

5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status.

5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society: Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great traditions; Panchayati Raj and social change; Media and Social change.

6.1 Tribal situation in India—Bio-genetic variability, linguistic and socio-economic characteristics of the tribal populations and their distribution.

6.2 Problems of the tribal Communities—Land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low literacy, poor educational facilities, unemployment, under-employment, health and nutrition.

6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement and problems of rehabilitation. Development of forest policy and tribals. Impact of urbanisation and industrialisation on tribal populations.

7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

7.2 Social change and contemporary tribal societies: Impact of modern democratic institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.

7.3 The concept of ethnicity; Ethnic conflicts and political developments; Unrest among tribal communities; Regionalism and demand for autonomy; Pseudo-tribalism. Social change among the tribes during colonial and post-Independent India.

8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.

8.2 Tribe and nation state—a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other countries.

9.1 History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal Groups), their distribution, special programmes for their development. Role of N.G.O.s in tribal development.

9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.

9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism and ethnic and political movements.

How to Prepare for UPSC Anthropology Optional Syllabus?

Preparing for the UPSC Anthropology optional requires a strong conceptual understanding, enriched with diagrams and flowcharts. Using case studies, especially of tribal and cultural groups, is essential due to the subject’s nature. Focus on mastering the fundamentals, practicing questions, and relating concepts to real-world examples. Here are some effective tips for preparing the UPSC Anthropology optional syllabus:

Understand the Syllabus: Begin with an overview of the syllabus and review previous years’ question papers to identify important topics and the exam pattern.
Focus on the Basics: Start with foundational topics such as human evolution, sociocultural anthropology, and anthropological theories. Build a strong base before moving on to advanced concepts. Chapters from NCERT Biology and Sociology are foundational and should be thoroughly studied.
Select the Right Study Material: Use standard textbooks like “Physical Anthropology” by P. Nath and “Indian Anthropology” by Nadeem Hasnain to build your fundamentals. Make chapter-wise notes. Stay updated with current developments by reading anthropology newsletters, journals, and articles in science magazines.
Solve Previous Years’ Papers: Thoroughly solve the past 10-15 years of UPSC Anthropology papers. Analyze the topic weightage and the nature of the questions asked.
Practice Diagrams and Case Studies: Practice drawing neat diagrams and sections with proper labeling. UPSC often asks candidates to illustrate concepts with sketches. Prepare case studies using various sources such as the Ministry of Tribal Affairs website, The Hindu, Economic and Political Weekly, and Yojana.

With a strategic and focused approach, you can master this highly rewarding optional subject.

Important Topics in UPSC Anthropology Syllabus

Paper 1

Meaning, Scope, and Development of Anthropology
Relationship with Other Disciplines: History, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Life Science, Medical Science.
Main Branches of Anthropology: Social-Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeological Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology.
Human Evolution and the Emergence of Man: Theories of Organic Evolution, Characteristics of Primates, Phylogenetic Status of Hominids, Biological Basis of Life, Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology, and Cultural Evolution.
The Nature of Culture and Society: Concepts of Culture and Civilization, Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism, Social Institutions, Social Groups, Social Stratification.
Marriage and Family: Definitions, Laws of Marriage, Types of Marriage, Functions of Marriage, Marriage Regulations, and Impact of Urbanization and Industrialization.
Kinship: Principles and Types of Descent, Kinship Terminology, Descent and Alliance.
Economic Organization: Formalist and Substantivist Debate, Principles Governing Production, Distribution, and Exchange in Different Societies.
Political Organization and Social Control: Concepts of Power, Authority, Legitimacy, and Social Control in Simple Societies.
Religion: Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Religion, Forms of Religion in Tribal and Peasant Societies, Magico-Religious Functionaries.
Anthropological Theories: Various Anthropological Theories, including Classical Evolutionism, Functionalism, Structuralism, and more.
Culture, Language, and Communication: Nature, Origin, and Characteristics of Language, Verbal and Non-verbal Communication.
Research Methods in Anthropology: Fieldwork Tradition, Tools of Data Collection, and Analysis of Data.
Human Genetics: Genetic Principles in Man, Mendelian Genetics, Genetic Polymorphism, Chromosomal Aberrations, Race and Racism, Population Genetics, and more.
Ecological Anthropology: Bio-Cultural Adaptations, Man’s Physiological Responses to Environmental Stresses, Epidemiological Anthropology, Health, and Disease.

Paper 2

Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization: Prehistoric, Protohistoric (Indus Civilization), and Contributions of Tribal Cultures to Indian Civilization.
Palaeo Anthropological Evidences from India: Special Reference to Siwaliks and Narmada Basin.
Ethno-Archaeology in India: Survivals and Parallels among Different Communities.
Demographic Profile of India: Ethnic and Linguistic Elements in the Indian Population.
The Structure and Nature of the Traditional Indian Social System: Caste System, Sacred Complex, and Impact of Different Religions.
Emergence and Growth of Anthropology in India: Contributions of Scholar-Administrators and Indian Anthropologists to Tribal and Caste Studies.
Indian Village: Significance, Patterns of Settlement, and Impact of Globalization.
Linguistic and Religious Minorities: Their Status in Indian Society.
Indigenous and Exogenous Processes of Socio-Cultural Change: Sanskritization, Westernization, and Modernization.
Tribal Situation in India: Characteristics, Problems, and Impact of Developmental Projects.
Problems of Exploitation and Deprivation: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
Social Change and Contemporary Tribal Societies: Impact of Democratic Institutions, Development Programs, and Ethnic Conflicts.
Impact of Religion on Tribal Societies: Comparative Study of Tribal Communities in India and Other Countries.
Administration of Tribal Areas: Policies, Programs, and Role of NGOs.
Role of Anthropology in Tribal and Rural Development: Contributions to Understanding Regionalism, Communalism, Ethnic and Political Movements.

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Anthropology Optional Coaching In Bangalore