Anthropology 2021 Paper II 50 marks Examine

Q8

(a) Examine how structural transformation in economy is affecting traditional social relationships in agrarian society. (20 marks) (b) Delineate the constitutional safeguard for religious minorities in India. (15 marks) (c) Identify the causes of tribal unrest with special reference to North-East India. (15 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) परीक्षण कीजिए कि कृषिक समाज की अर्थव्यवस्था में संरचनात्मक परिवर्तन, पारंपरिक सामाजिक संबंधों को कैसे प्रभावित कर रहा है। (20 अंक) (b) भारत में धार्मिक अल्पसंख्यकों के लिए संवैधानिक सुरक्षा का उल्लेख कीजिए। (15 अंक) (c) उत्तर-पूर्व भारत के विशेष संदर्भ में जनजातीय अशांति के कारणों को चिह्नित कीजिए। (15 अंक)

Directive word: Examine

This question asks you to examine. 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 'examine' for part (a) requires critical analysis of cause-effect relationships, while 'delineate' in (b) demands systematic enumeration and 'identify' in (c) needs precise causal attribution. Allocate approximately 40% of word budget (~400 words) to part (a) given its 20 marks, 30% (~300 words) each to parts (b) and (c). Structure with a brief composite introduction, three distinct sections with clear sub-headings, and a unified conclusion linking structural transformation, constitutional safeguards, and tribal unrest as interconnected dimensions of social change in India.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Green Revolution's impact on jajmani system, mechanization and labor displacement, shift from patron-client ties to contractual wage relations, and emergence of capitalist farmers class in agrarian structure
  • Part (a): Decline of traditional caste-based occupational interdependence, rise of class consciousness over caste solidarity, and changing gender roles in agricultural production
  • Part (b): Articles 25-28 (freedom of religion), Articles 29-30 (cultural and educational rights), representation through Articles 331/332, and specific provisions like Article 350A for linguistic minorities
  • Part (c): Land alienation and encroachment by non-tribals, displacement due to development projects (dams, mining), ethnic identity assertion, and insurgency linked to resource control in North-East
  • Part (c): Specific North-East factors: AFSPA and human rights concerns, influx of migrants altering demographic balance, and demand for greater autonomy under Sixth Schedule vs statehood aspirations

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Accurately defines structural transformation (shift from subsistence to market economy), correctly identifies Articles 25-30 and 350A for minorities, and precisely distinguishes between Fifth and Sixth Schedule provisions for tribal areas; no factual errors in constitutional articles or anthropological conceptsBasic understanding of agrarian change and some constitutional articles but confuses Article 29 with 30 or misidentifies Schedule provisions; vague on structural transformation mechanismsFundamental errors such as conflating cultural rights with political rights, misstating constitutional articles, or describing structural transformation merely as 'modernization' without economic specificity
Theoretical framing20%10Applies Daniel Thorner's modes of production for agrarian change, uses Andre Beteille's framework of class-caste nexus, references MN Srinivas on dominant caste; for tribal unrest applies Ghurye's integration vs isolation debate and Fernandes on displacementMentions general theories like Marxist framework or Sanskritization without specific application to the question; limited theoretical depth for tribal unrest analysisNo theoretical framework or inappropriate theories (e.g., using structural-functionalism uncritically for conflict situations); purely descriptive without analytical lens
Ethnographic / Indian examples20%10For (a): cites Punjab/Haryana Green Revolution outcomes or Bardhan's West Bengal studies; for (b): references specific minority educational institutions (AMU, Jamia) or Parsi community case; for (c): names specific North-East movements (Naga insurgency, Assam Movement, Bodoland demand) with anthropological studies like von Fürer-Haimendorf on NagaGeneric references to 'tribes in North-East' or 'agrarian society in India' without specific community names; mentions constitutional safeguards without concrete institutional examplesNo Indian examples or inappropriate foreign comparisons; vague statements like 'tribes are unhappy' without naming any group, region, or specific grievance
Comparative analysis20%10Compares pre-Green Revolution and post-Green Revolution agrarian relations; contrasts constitutional safeguards for religious minorities vs linguistic minorities; compares tribal unrest in North-East (ethnic-separatist) with Central India (land alienation focus); draws connections between economic transformation and identity politicsSome comparison between traditional and modern agrarian systems but no cross-regional tribal analysis; treats constitutional provisions as list rather than comparative frameworkNo comparative element; three isolated sections without analytical linkage; fails to connect structural transformation in (a) to causes of tribal unrest in (c)
Conclusion & applied angle20%10Synthesizes how economic structural transformation creates conditions for both constitutional assertion of rights and tribal unrest; proposes policy recommendations (land rights strengthening, Sixth Schedule extension, inclusive development); critically evaluates whether constitutional safeguards adequately address emerging challenges of market integrationBrief summary of three parts without synthesis; generic recommendation like 'government should do more'; no critical evaluation of constitutional effectivenessNo conclusion or abrupt ending; purely descriptive summary without analytical integration; no applied or policy dimension

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