UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 For Anthropology- The UPSC Mains, formally known as the Civil Services (Main) Examination, is the second stage of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) of India. It is a highly competitive exam that selects candidates for various prestigious civil service positions in the Indian government, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Revenue Service (IRS).
Read More: UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 For DU Political Science-
What is Anthropology?
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 For Anthropology- Anthropology is the study of what makes us human. It’s a broad field that encompasses everything from our biology and evolution to our cultures, societies, and languages. Anthropologists are interested in understanding how humans have changed over time, how we adapt to different environments, and how we interact with each other.
Eligibility
- Only candidates who have cleared the UPSC Prelims exam are eligible to appear for the UPSC Mains.
- The Prelims exam is an objective-type test that tests a candidate’s basic knowledge and understanding of various subjects.
Upsc Mains Syllabus 2024 For Anthropology Books
| Topic | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| Meaning, Scope and Development of Anthropology | “Man, Culture and Society” by H.L. Shapiro, “Introduction to Anthropology” by Ted C. Polnias & James L. Van Horn |
| Relationships with other disciplines | Any standard textbook on Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Humanities |
| Main branches of Anthropology | “Physical Anthropology” by P. Nath, “Elements of Social Anthropology” by E.E. Evans-Pritchard, “Introduction to Archaeology” by M.J. Walker, “An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology” by Daniel T. Liffman |
| Human Evolution and Emergence of Man | “The Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin, “Evolutionary Anthropology” by Michael A. Little & Kenneth G. Hegland, “Fossil Hunters” by Lowell Dingus |
| Characteristics of Primates | “Primates” by Elwyn Simons, “Primate Societies” by Robert W. Sussman UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 For Anthropology |
| Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution of the following | “Hominid Evolution: Past, Present, and Future” by Milford H. Wolpoff, “The Neanderthals” by S.J. Trinkaus |
| The biological basis of Life | “Molecular Biology of the Cell” by Bruce Alberts et al., “Genetics” by Benjamin Lewin |
| (a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology | “Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology” by Bruce Trigger, “Understanding Prehistoric Archaeology” by Colin Renfrew & Paul Bahn |
| (b) Cultural Evolution – Broad Outlines of Prehistoric culture | “A Guide to Archaeological Theory” by Matthew Johnson, “Prehistory: The Making of the Human Mind” by Colin Renfrew |
Paper II
| Topic | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| The Nature of Culture | “Anthropology and the Study of Religion” by Clifford Geertz, “Cultures in Contact” by Peter Worsley |
| Social Institutions | “Marriage, Family and Kinship” by George Peter Murdock, “Social Organization” by David Aberle |
| Economic Organization | “Anthropology and Economics” by John Clammer, “Economic Anthropology” by Jonathan Parry & Maurice Bloch |
| Political Organization | “Power and Politics in Tribal Societies” by Ronald Cohen, “Political Anthropology” by David E. Apter |
| Kinship | “Kinship Systems and Social Structure” by David M. Schneider, “Anthropological Theories of Kinship” by Godelier |
| Religion | “Anthropology of Religion” by John L. Comaroff & Jean Comaroff, “Shamanism: An Encyclopedia of Arctic and Sub-Arctic Cultures” by Marija Gimbutas |
| Social Stratification | “Caste and Class in India” by André Béteille, “Class, Race and Inequality” by Anthony Giddens |
| The structure and nature of traditional Indian social system | “Anthropology and the Constitution of India” by T.K. Oommen, “India’s Changing Villages” by M.N. Srinivas |
| Caste system in India | “India’s Untouchables” by M.N. Srinivas, “Understanding Caste” by Ranjana Kumari |
| Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex | “Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India” by A.K. Ramanujan, “Ecology and Social Organization among the Gonds of Andhra Pradesh” by B.K. Roy Burman |
| Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity of Indian society | “The History of Hinduism” by Wendy Doniger, “The Legacy of Islam” by Karen Armstrong |
| Emergence, growth and development in India | “Contributions of Indian Anthropologists to Tribal and Caste Studies” by T.K. Oommen, “Tribal Cultures in India” by Surajit Sinha |
How to Prepare Anthropology Optional Syllabus For UPSC?
- Start with foundational topics like human evolution, sociocultural anthropology, and archaeological theories.
- Refer to NCERT textbooks related to Biology, Sociology, and History for initial understanding.
- Use standard anthropology textbooks recommended by experts, like “Physical Anthropology” by P. Nath and “Indian Anthropology” by Nadeem Hasnain.
- Make effective notes and flashcards for better retention and revision.
- Practice writing answers using previous years’ questions and mock tests.
- Discuss concepts with peers and mentors to gain different perspectives and clarify doubts.
- Try to connect anthropological concepts to current affairs and real-world examples for stronger understanding.
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 For Anthropology
Paper-I
Section A: Meaning, Scope, and Development of Anthropology
- Definition and nature of anthropology
- Branches of anthropology: physical, archaeological, social/cultural, and linguistic
- Schools of thought in anthropology: evolutionism, diffusionism, functionalism, structuralism, Marxism, feminism, post-colonialism
- Development of anthropology in India
Section B: Nature of Culture, Society, Marriage, Family, and Kinship
- Concept of culture: its characteristics, elements, and patterns
- Social organization: social groups, institutions, stratification, mobility
- Marriage systems: forms, functions, changes
- Family systems: types, functions, changes
- Kinship systems: terminologies, types, structures
Section C: Economic Organization
- Modes of subsistence: hunting-gathering, pastoralism, agriculture, industrialism
- Economic systems: barter, market, capitalism, socialism
- Landownership and patterns of inheritance
- Division of labor by gender and age
- Forms of cooperation and exchange
Section D: Political Organization and Social Control
- Forms of government: bands, tribes, chiefdoms, states, nations
- Power and authority: structures, processes, legitimacy
- Law and social order: mechanisms, sanctions
- Social movements and conflicts
Section E: Religion
- Theories of origin of religion
- Types of religious beliefs and practices
- Rituals and their significance
- Religion and social change UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024 For Anthropology
Paper-II:
Section A: Prehistoric Archaeology
- Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic cultures in India
- Indus Civilization: origins, salient features, decline
- Megalithic cultures in India
- Iron Age cultures in India
Section B: Protohistoric Archaeology
- Harappan Civilization: settlements, subsistence, craft, trade, social organization
- Post-Harappan cultures: Cemetery H culture, Painted Grey Ware culture, Black and Red Ware culture
- Northern Black Polished Ware culture
- Iron Age in peninsular India
Section C: Historical Archaeology
- Archaeological sources for the study of historical periods
- Early historical archaeology: Mauryas, Guptas, Pallavas, Chalukyas
- Medieval archaeological cultures: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, regional kingdoms
- Archaeological methods and techniques in historical archaeology
Section D: Tribes and Tribal Societies
- Definition and characteristics of tribes
- Distribution of tribes in India
- Socio-economic and cultural life of tribes
- Tribal development: issues and challenges
- Protection of tribal rights
Section E: Social Change and Development
- Theories of social change: modernization, dependency theory, world systems theory
- Factors of social change: economic, political, technological, demographic
- Impact of globalization on Indian society
- Development processes: models, approaches, criticisms
- Role of anthropology in development