Anthropology 2021 Paper II 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Write short notes

Q5

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: (a) Urbanization and tribal institutions (10 marks) (b) Ethnic media and social awareness (10 marks) (c) Cultural diversity and multiculturalism (10 marks) (d) Concept of tribe and Indian census (10 marks) (e) Politics of recognition and deprivation (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक पर लगभग 150 शब्दों में लघु टिप्पणी लिखिए : (a) शहरीकरण और जनजातीय संस्थाएं (10 अंक) (b) पारंपरिक संचार-माध्यम और सामाजिक जागरूकता (10 अंक) (c) सांस्कृतिक बहुरूपता एवं बहुसंस्कृतिवाद (10 अंक) (d) जनजाति की अवधारणा एवं भारतीय जनगणना (10 अंक) (e) पहचान और वंचितकरण की राजनीति (10 अंक)

Directive word: Write short notes

This question asks you to write short notes. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'write short notes' demands concise, information-dense responses for each sub-part with clear conceptual definitions and applied linkages. Allocate approximately 30 words/2 minutes per sub-part (150 words total, 10 marks each): for (a) focus on institutional transformation under urban pressure; (b) emphasize media's role in ethnic identity mobilization; (c) distinguish diversity as fact from multiculturalism as policy; (d) trace census evolution from colonial to post-independence categories; (e) analyze Fraser's recognition-redistribution debate. Structure each note with: precise definition → 2-3 analytical points → brief applied conclusion.

Key points expected

  • (a) Urbanization and tribal institutions: Define urbanization's impact on traditional institutions (sacred groves, village councils); mention de-tribalization vs. re-tribalization; cite Mumbai/Delhi tribal migrants or Bastar displacement
  • (b) Ethnic media and social awareness: Explain ethnic media (community radio, indigenous language press); link to consciousness-raising and rights claims; cite All India Radio's tribal broadcasts or Khasi Hills community radio
  • (c) Cultural diversity and multiculturalism: Distinguish empirical diversity from normative multiculturalism; mention constitutional pluralism (Articles 29-30, 350A); reference Parekh or Taylor on politics of recognition
  • (d) Concept of tribe and Indian census: Trace census categories from 1871 (caste/tribe schedules) to 1951; explain ST criteria (indicators of backwardness, distinctive culture, geographical isolation); mention Xaxa Committee critique
  • (e) Politics of recognition and deprivation: Apply Fraser's redistribution-recognition framework or Kymlicka's multicultural citizenship; link to ST reservation debates and sub-categorization demands

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Precise definitions across all five notes: for (a) distinguishes urbanization from modernization; (b) correctly identifies ethnic media as counter-hegemonic; (c) analytically separates diversity/multiculturalism; (d) accurately traces census operationalization of 'tribe'; (e) correctly deploys Fraser's recognition-redistribution framework without conflationGenerally accurate definitions with minor errors: conflates urbanization with Westernization in (a), treats ethnic media synonymously with mass media in (b), or uses diversity/multiculturalism interchangeably in (c); census history in (d) lacks specificity; (e) describes deprivation without theoretical framingFundamental conceptual errors: describes urbanization as purely economic in (a), misses ethnic media's community-specific nature in (b), equates diversity with multiculturalism without distinction in (c), confuses tribe with caste in census discussion (d), or completely omits theoretical framework in (e)
Theoretical framing20%10Appropriate theoretical deployment: (a) uses Srinivas's Sanskritization or van Gennep's rites of passage for institutional change; (b) applies Spivak's strategic essentialism or Habermas's public sphere; (c) references Taylor's politics of recognition or Kymlicka's multiculturalism; (d) cites Beteille's critique of tribe concept or Guha's elementary aspects; (e) systematically applies Fraser's trivalent modelLimited or generic theoretical references: mentions 'social change' without specific framework in (a), 'media effects' without critical theory in (b), 'unity in diversity' slogan in (c), colonial ethnography without critical engagement in (d), or 'social justice' without analytical specificity in (e)Absent or misapplied theory: no theoretical framework in any note, or serious misattribution (e.g., attributing multiculturalism to Rawls, confusing Fraser with Foucault); relies entirely on commonsense descriptions without scholarly grounding
Ethnographic / Indian examples20%10Rich, specific Indian illustrations: (a) Bhil migration to Gujarat cities or Jharkhand's urban tribals; (b) Gondi/Kurukh language media, Radio Bundelkhand; (c) Northeast's Sixth Schedule areas vs. mainland multiculturalism; (d) specific ST communities (Santhal, Munda) and their census classification history; (e) recent ST sub-categorization movements (Madiga, Mala in Andhra)Generic or partially accurate examples: 'tribals in cities' without specificity in (a), 'Doordarshan programs' without ethnic targeting in (b), 'India is diverse' without institutional illustration in (c), 'British classified tribes' without named communities in (d), 'reservation demands' without contemporary cases in (e)Absent, irrelevant, or factually wrong examples: uses African/American indigenous cases exclusively without Indian adaptation, cites non-existent media platforms, confuses STs with SCs in examples, or provides examples that contradict the conceptual point being made
Comparative analysis20%10Systematic comparative moves: (a) contrasts urban-rural institutional continuity vs. rupture; (b) compares ethnic media with mainstream media's representational politics; (c) distinguishes Indian constitutional multiculturalism from Canadian/Australian models; (d) compares colonial vs. post-colonial census enumeration; (e) contrasts recognition-focused (cultural) vs. redistribution-focused (economic) deprivation remediesImplicit or underdeveloped comparisons: notes differences without explicit comparative framework, or makes single-point contrasts without systematic elaboration; comparisons remain at descriptive level without analytical payoffNo comparative dimension: treats each concept in isolation, or makes false comparisons (e.g., comparing urbanization with ethnic media as phenomena); confuses comparison with mere listing of separate points
Conclusion & applied angle20%10Each note closes with applied insight: (a) policy implications for urban tribal welfare (Mission for Adivasi Development); (b) media's role in SDG implementation for indigenous peoples; (c) multiculturalism's limits in addressing structural inequality; (d) recommendations for census reform (Xaxa Committee); (e) synthesis toward transformative justice combining recognition and redistributionGeneric or repetitive conclusions: restates main points without forward-looking application, or provides identical conclusion formula across all five notes; applied angle present but underdevelopedAbsent or tautological conclusions: notes simply end with summary restatement, or lack any conclusion; applied angle completely missing or consists of empty platitudes ('government should help tribals'); conclusion contradicts body of note

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