All 8 questions from UPSC Civil Services Mains Anthropology 2023 Paper I (400 marks total). Every stem reproduced in full, with directive-word analysis, marks, word limits, and answer-approach pointers.
8Questions
400Total marks
2023Year
Paper IPaper
Topics covered
Social and Cultural Anthropology scope and relevance (1)Australopithecus species and human evolution (1)Hominization process and human evolution trends (1)Marriage regulations and social solidarity in India (1)Polygenic inheritance and anthropological concepts (1)Fieldwork controversies of Malinowski and Mead (1)Qualitative data analysis methods and software (1)Arjun Appadurai's global cultural economy (1)
A
Q1
50M150wCompulsorywrite short notesSocial and Cultural Anthropology scope and relevance
Write notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50
(a) Scope and relevance of Social and Cultural Anthropology 10
(b) Cultural impact of Iron Age 10
(c) Race and Ethnicity 10
(d) Customary laws and Environmental conservation 10
(e) Gene expression 10
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित पर लगभग 150 शब्दों (प्रत्येक) में टिप्पणियाँ लिखिए :
(a) सामाजिक तथा सांस्कृतिक मानवविज्ञान का विस्तार एवं प्रासंगिकता 10
(b) लौह-युग का सांस्कृतिक प्रभाव 10
(c) नस्ल तथा नृजातीयता 10
(d) प्रथागत कानून एवं पर्यावरणीय संरक्षण 10
(e) जीन प्रकटन 10
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Anthropology Paper 1: Define > Theory/School > Ethnographic Evidence > Indian Application. (a) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (b) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (c) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (d) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (e) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance Full marks: Precise definitions, named theorists/sites, clear distinction between concepts, strong Indian context.
Definition and method: comparative study of living societies, ethnography
50MdiscussAustralopithecus species and human evolution
(a) Discuss major species of Australopithecus discovered from South and East Africa. Describe the discovery, physical features and significance of Taung baby. 20
(b) Discuss the Paleolithic environment in light of available evidences with special reference to India. 15
(c) Elucidate the different forms of malnutrition. Describe protein-calorie malnutrition with suitable examples. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) दक्षिण तथा पूर्वी अफ्रीका से खोजी गई प्रमुख ऑस्ट्रलोपिथिकस प्रजातियों की विवेचना कीजिए । टाउना शिशु की खोज, शारीरिक लक्षण एवं महत्व का वर्णन कीजिए । 20
(b) भारत के विशेष संदर्भ में उपलब्ध साक्ष्यों के आलोक में पुरापाषाण पर्यावरण की विवेचना कीजिए । 15
(c) विभिन्न प्रकार के कुपोषण को स्पष्ट कीजिए । उपयुक्त उदाहरणों सहित प्रोटीन-कैलोरी कुपोषण का विवरण प्रस्तुत कीजिए । 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Anthropology Paper 1 (Physical Anthropology & Prehistory). (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Comprehensive coverage of all sub-parts with specific examples, clear distinctions, and anthropological context.
East African species: anamensis, afarensis, garhi; robust aethiopicus and boisei
South African species: africanus, sediba, robust robustus
Taung child: 1924 discovery, Dart 1925, juvenile of 3-4 years, about 405 cc, forward foramen magnum
50MdiscussHominization process and human evolution trends
(a) What is hominization process ? Discuss the major trends in human evolution with the help of suitable examples and illustrations. 20
(b) How did Clifford Geertz look at religion ? Differentiate between anthropological and psychological approaches to the study of religion. 15
(c) What is mixed-longitudinal method of studying human growth ? Discuss its merits and demerits. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) मानवीकरण प्रक्रिया क्या होती है ? उपयुक्त उदाहरणों एवं चित्रों की सहायता से मानव उद्विकास की प्रमुख प्रवृत्तियों की विवेचना कीजिए । 20
(b) क्लिफर्ड गीर्ट्ज ने धर्म को किस तरह देखा ? धर्म के अध्ययन में मानवशास्त्रीय तथा मनोवैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोणों में अंतर स्पष्ट कीजिए । 15
(c) मानव वृद्धि के अध्ययन में मिश्रित-अनुदैर्ध्य प्रविधि क्या होती है ? इसके गुण एवं दोषों की विवेचना कीजिए । 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Anthropology Paper 1 (Physical Anthropology & Research Methodology). (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) compare: paired headings or table > key differences > significance > conclusion | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Comprehensive, well-structured, with specific examples and clear differentiation.
Definition of hominization as biocultural process
Bipedalism with skeletal changes and examples
Brain enlargement with cranial capacities by species, Narmada cranium
Facial, dental, hand and cultural trends; mosaic nature
Geertz: religion as system of symbols, moods and motivations
Model of and model for reality; interpretive approach
50MdiscussMarriage regulations and social solidarity in India
(a) Discuss the role of marriage regulations in traditional societies in India for strengthening social solidarity. 20
(b) Discuss various methods of personal identification based on skeletal remains. 15
(c) Identify the major Mesolithic sites and describe the typo-technological features with special reference to India. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) भारत में परम्परागत समाजों की सामाजिक एकजुटता को सुदृढ़ बनाने हेतु विवाह अधिनियमों की भूमिका की विवेचना कीजिए । 20
(b) कंकालीय अवशेषों पर आधारित व्यक्तिगत शिनाख्त की विभिन्न प्रविधियों की विवेचना कीजिए । 15
(c) भारत के विशेष संदर्भ में प्रमुख मध्यपाषाणकालीन स्थलों की पहचान कीजिए तथा इनके प्ररूप-प्रौद्योगिकीय लक्षणों का विवरण प्रस्तुत कीजिए । 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Anthropology Paper 1 (Sociology & Physical Anthropology). (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) enumerate: list the items in order > one line each > no commentary Full marks: Comprehensive, analytical, and well-supported with specific Indian examples and technical terminology.
Endogamy and boundary maintenance
Exogamy rules: gotra, pravara, sapinda, clan
Alliance and cross-cousin marriage; hypergamy and hierarchy
50M150wCompulsorywrite short notesPolygenic inheritance and anthropological concepts
Write notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50
(a) Polygenic Inheritance 10
(b) Prehistoric significance of Rakhigarhi 10
(c) Glottochronology 10
(d) Menopausal symptoms 10
(e) William Ogburn and Cultural lag 10
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित पर लगभग 150 शब्दों (प्रत्येक) में टिप्पणियाँ लिखिए :
(a) बहुजनी वंशागति 10
(b) राखीगढ़ी का प्रागैतिहासिक महत्व 10
(c) भाषाकालक्रमविज्ञान 10
(d) रजोनिवृत्ति के लक्षण 10
(e) विलियम ऑगबर्न एवं सांस्कृतिक अंतराल 10
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Anthropology Paper 1: Define > Theory/School > Ethnographic Evidence > Indian Application. (a) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (b) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (c) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (d) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance | (e) write short notes: define > 3-4 key features > one example > one-line significance Full marks: Precise definitions, named scholars/sites, specific examples, clear anthropological framing
Many genes with small additive effects plus environment
Continuous variation and bell-shaped distribution
Examples: skin colour, stature, blood pressure; early experiments
50Mcritically discussFieldwork controversies of Malinowski and Mead
(a) Critically discuss the controversies related to fieldwork of Bronislaw Malinowski and Margaret Mead. 20
(b) Discuss the impact of globalization on the economic systems of indigenous communities. 15
(c) Describe the practical applications of DNA technology in the current scenario. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) ब्रॉनिस्लॉ मैलिनोव्स्की तथा मार्ग्रेट मीड के क्षेत्रीय कार्यों से संबंधित विवादों की समालोचनात्मक विवेचना कीजिए । 20
(b) देशज समुदायों की आर्थिक व्यवस्थाओं पर वैश्वीकरण के प्रभाव की विवेचना कीजिए । 15
(c) वर्तमान परिदृश्य में डीएनए प्रौद्योगिकी के व्यावहारिक अनुप्रयोगों का विवरण प्रस्तुत कीजिए । 15
Answer approach & key points
(a) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance Full marks: All parts show deep analytical engagement with named examples, balanced judgment, and anthropological framing.
Malinowski: Trobriand fieldwork and 1967 Diary contrast with published account
Mead: Samoa study and Boasian determinism
Freeman's 1983 critique and the defence of Mead
Consequences: reflexivity, crisis of representation, fieldwork ethics
Traditional subsistence, reciprocity and forest-based economy
50MdescribeQualitative data analysis methods and software
(a) Describe various methods of qualitative data analysis. Highlight some popular computer softwares used in qualitative analysis. 20
(b) What assumptions must be met for a population to be in genetic equilibrium ? Explain the importance of genetic equilibrium. 15
(c) Discuss political and methodological aspects of national character studies. Elucidate the contemporary relevance of such studies. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) गुणात्मक डेटा विश्लेषण की विभिन्न प्रविधियों का विवरण प्रस्तुत कीजिए । गुणात्मक विश्लेषण में प्रयोग आने वाले कुछ लोकप्रिय कंप्यूटर सॉफ्टवेयरों को इंगित कीजिए । 20
(b) किसी जनसमूह के आनुवंशिक संतुलन में बने रहने हेतु किन धारणाओं का पूरा होना आवश्यक है ? आनुवंशिक संतुलन के महत्व को स्पष्ट कीजिए । 15
(c) राष्ट्रीय चरित्र अध्ययनों के राजनीतिक एवं विधितंत्रीय पक्षों की विवेचना कीजिए । ऐसे अध्ययनों की समसामयिक प्रासंगिकता को स्पष्ट कीजिए । 15
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Anthropology Paper 1 (Sociology/Physical). (a) describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance | (b) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Comprehensive, specific, and well-structured with named examples and clear distinctions.
Thematic and content analysis
Grounded theory with open, axial, selective coding
Narrative and discourse analysis
Software: NVivo, ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA with functions and limits
Hardy-Weinberg equations
Five assumptions: random mating, large size, no mutation, no migration, no selection
50Mcritically examineArjun Appadurai's global cultural economy
(a) Critically examine Arjun Appadurai's conceptualization of global cultural economy. 20
(b) Describe the causes of structural abnormalities of chromosomes with suitable examples. 15
(c) Critically discuss A.L. Kroeber's contribution to kinship studies. 15
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) अर्जुन अप्पादुरै द्वारा प्रतिपादित वैश्विक सांस्कृतिक अर्थव्यवस्था की अवधारणा का समालोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए । 20
(b) गुणसूत्रों की संरचनात्मक विकृतियों के कारकों का उपयुक्त उदाहरणों सहित विवरण प्रस्तुत कीजिए । 15
(c) नातेदारी अध्ययनों में ए.एल. क्रोबर के योगदान की समालोचनात्मक विवेचना कीजिए । 15
Answer approach & key points
(a) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (b) describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Comprehensive, critical, and well-structured with specific examples and named theories.
Disjunctive, overlapping global order and rejection of centre-periphery
Five scapes with examples
Indigenisation against homogenisation; imagination and postnational world
Critique: neglect of capital, class, state and unequal mobility