All 8 questions from UPSC Civil Services Mains Anthropology 2023 Paper II (400 marks total). Every stem reproduced in full, with directive-word analysis, marks, word limits, and answer-approach pointers.
8Questions
400Total marks
2023Year
Paper IIPaper
Topics covered
Indian anthropology - diverse themes (2)Tribes, Indus Valley civilization and Jainism (1)Sanskritization, Mesolithic culture and tribal institutions (1)PVTGs, anthropological classification and caste mobility (1)Caste annihilation, ethnic conflict and Siwalik primates (1)Tribal policies, displacement and anthropology in nation building (1)Tribal distribution, S.C. Roy and OBC identification (1)
A
Q1
50M150wCompulsorywrite short notesIndian anthropology - diverse themes
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Material culture and archaeology (10 marks)
(b) Interface between Purushartha and Ashrama (10 marks)
(c) Jajmani system : continuity and change (10 marks)
(d) Prehistoric rock arts from Uttarakhand (10 marks)
(e) Religious pluralism and social solidarity (10 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक पर लगभग 150 शब्दों में लघु टिप्पणी लिखिए :
(a) भौतिक संस्कृति और पुरातत्व (10 अंक)
(b) पुरुषार्थ और आश्रम के बीच अंतरापृष्ठ (10 अंक)
(c) जजमानी व्यवस्था : निरंतरता एवं परिवर्तन (10 अंक)
(d) उत्तराखंड की प्रागैतिहासिक शैल कला (10 अंक)
(e) धार्मिक बहुलवाद और सामाजिक एकजुटता (10 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Anthropology Paper II (Sociology & Social Anthropology). (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 sites/scholars, clear link to Indian context, balanced analysis.
Definition of material versus non-material culture
50Mcritically commentTribes, Indus Valley civilization and Jainism
(a) "Tribes are backward Hindus." Critically comment with reference to the contributions of G. S. Ghurye. (20 marks)
(b) "Indus Valley was the first settlement of the big civilization." Comment critically. (15 marks)
(c) Discuss the basic tenets of Jainism and its impact on Indian society. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) "जनजाति पिछड़े हिंदू हैं।" जी० एस० घुर्ये के योगदान के संदर्भ में आलोचनात्मक टिप्पणी कीजिए। (20 अंक)
(b) "सिंधु घाटी बड़ी सभ्यता की पहली बसाहट थी।" समालोचनात्मक टिप्पणी कीजिए। (15 अंक)
(c) जैन धर्म के मूल सिद्धांतों और भारतीय समाज पर इसके प्रभाव की चर्चा कीजिए। (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
(a) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (b) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (c) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Comprehensive, well-structured, with specific examples and critical analysis
Ghurye's assimilationist thesis and works
Evidence for contact and absorption: Hinduisation, Sanskritisation
50Mcritically commentSanskritization, Mesolithic culture and tribal institutions
(a) "Sanskritization is a culture-bound concept." Critically comment to assess the strength and limitation of this concept in developing a theoretical framework to study social change. (20 marks)
(b) Was Mesolithic culture the first step towards sedentary way of life? Illustrate your answer by citing suitable examples. (15 marks)
(c) Critically examine the impact of modern democratic institutions on contemporary tribal societies. Illustrate with suitable ethnographic examples. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) "संस्कृतिकरण एक संस्कृति-बद्ध अवधारणा है।" सामाजिक परिवर्तन का अध्ययन करने के लिए सैद्धांतिक रूपरेखा विकसित करने में इस अवधारणा की सामर्थ्य और सीमा का आकलन करने के लिए आलोचनात्मक टिप्पणी कीजिए। (20 अंक)
(b) क्या मध्यपाषाण संस्कृति स्थानबद्ध जीवनशैली की ओर पहला कदम था? उपयुक्त उदाहरण देते हुए अपने उत्तर की व्याख्या कीजिए। (15 अंक)
(c) समकालीन जनजातीय समाजों पर आधुनिक लोकतांत्रिक संस्थाओं के प्रभाव का आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए। उपयुक्त नृवंशविज्ञान-संबंधी उदाहरणों को देकर स्पष्ट कीजिए। (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
(a) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (b) justify: claim > 3-4 reasons > evidence > conclusion | (c) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Comprehensive, well-structured, with specific examples and critical analysis.
Srinivas's definition
Why culture-bound: Hindu ritual ranking and Sanskritic models
Strengths: mobility within caste, tribal absorption, reference groups
Limitations: positional change, neglect of economic and political factors, Dalit assertion, Westernisation
Mesolithic economy and dates
Evidence from Bagor, Langhnaj, Ganga plain sites
Limits: wild resources, seasonality
Neolithic farming and Mehrgarh as full sedentism
Constitutional provisions: Fifth and Sixth Schedules, reservations, PESA, FRA
Positive effects: political voice, movements like Jharkhand
Negative effects: weakening of traditional institutions, elite capture
50MelucidatePVTGs, anthropological classification and caste mobility
(a) Elucidate the problems faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and the major challenges in the formulation of special programmes for their development. (20 marks)
(b) Critically compare Risley's and Sarkar's approaches to the classification of peoples of India. (15 marks)
(c) Is caste mobility a recent phenomenon? Discuss in the light of Indological and Empirical context. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) विशेष रूप से कमजोर जनजातीय समूहों द्वारा सामना की जाने वाली समस्याओं और उनके विकास के लिए विशेष कार्यक्रमों के निर्माण में प्रमुख चुनौतियों पर प्रकाश डालिए। (20 अंक)
(b) भारत के लोगों के वर्गीकरण के लिए रिस्ले और सरकार के दृष्टिकोणों की आलोचनात्मक तुलना कीजिए। (15 अंक)
(c) क्या जाति गतिशीलता एक हाल ही की परिघटना है? इंडोलॉजिकल तथा अनुभविक (एम्पिरिकल) संदर्भ के प्रकाश में चर्चा कीजिए। (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Anthropology Paper II (Social Anthropology). (a) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short 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 critical analysis.
50M150wCompulsorywrite short notesIndian anthropology - diverse themes
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Scheduled areas (10 marks)
(b) Ramapithecus-Sivapithecus debate (10 marks)
(c) Village as little republic (10 marks)
(d) Dravidian languages and their subgroups (10 marks)
(e) Karma and Rebirth (10 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक पर लगभग 150 शब्दों में लघु टिप्पणी लिखिए :
(a) अनुसूचित क्षेत्र (10 अंक)
(b) रामापिथेकस-सिवापिथेकस वाद-विवाद (10 अंक)
(c) छोटे गणतंत्र के रूप में गाँव (10 अंक)
(d) द्रविड भाषाएँ और उनके उपसमूह (10 अंक)
(e) कर्म और पुनर्जन्म (10 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Anthropology Paper II (Sociology & Social Anthropology). (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, clear subgroups, strong Indian context.
Fifth Schedule, Article 244(1), declared by the President
States with scheduled areas; Sixth Schedule distinction
Governor's powers over laws, land transfer and moneylending
TAC and PESA
Lewis 1934 naming and Siwalik finds
Hominid interpretation by Simons and Pilbeam
Criticism: Greenfield and molecular clock
1980-82 Potwar Sivapithecus face; reclassification as ape
Metcalfe 1830 and Maine
Image of self-sufficient autonomous village
Critique: Srinivas, Dube, Béteille
Village embedded in caste, state and market
Family and distribution
Four groups with languages
Literary antiquity of Tamil
Structural features and influence on Indo-Aryan
Definition of karma and samsara
Hindu, Buddhist and Jain variants
Social function: explaining inequality, legitimating caste
50MdiscussCaste annihilation, ethnic conflict and Siwalik primates
(a) Is annihilation of caste possible? Discuss the future of caste system in the light of various proactive measures taken by the Indian State. (20 marks)
(b) Distinguishing between ethnic identity and ethnicity, discuss the factors responsible for ethnic conflict in tribal areas. (15 marks)
(c) "Siwalik deposits show a variety of Neogene fossil primates." Critically examine. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) क्या जाति का विनाश संभव है? भारतीय राज्य द्वारा उठाए गए विभिन्न सक्रिय उपायों के आलोक में जाति व्यवस्था के भविष्य पर चर्चा कीजिए। (20 अंक)
(b) जातीय पहचान और जातीयता के बीच अंतर करते हुए जनजातीय क्षेत्रों में जातीय संघर्ष के लिए जिम्मेदार कारकों पर चर्चा कीजिए। (15 अंक)
(c) "शिवालिक तलछट विभिन्न प्रकार के नियोजीन जीवाश्म प्राइमेट्स दिखाते हैं।" आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए। (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
(a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Comprehensive, well-structured, with specific examples, theoretical grounding, and critical analysis.
Ambedkar's annihilation thesis and Dumont's view
State measures: Articles 15-17, reservation, atrocities Act, marriage laws
Assessment: decline of untouchability but persistence of endogamy and identity
Future: change in form; conditions for annihilation
Ethnicity as shared cultural markers and mobilisation
Ethnic identity as subjective belonging
Factors: land and resource loss, migration, development inequality
50MelucidateTribal policies, displacement and anthropology in nation building
(a) Elucidate the shifting terrains of India's tribal policies in colonial and post-colonial periods. (20 marks)
(b) Critically examine how the displacement of tribal communities due to hydroelectric river dam projects has affected the women in local context. Illustrate with suitable ethnographic examples. (15 marks)
(c) Elucidate the role of anthropology in nation building. Illustrate with suitable examples. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) औपनिवेशिक और उत्तर-औपनिवेशिक काल में भारत की जनजातीय नीतियों के बदलते क्षेत्रों को स्पष्ट कीजिए। (20 अंक)
(b) पनबिजली नदी बांध परियोजनाओं के कारण आदिवासी समुदायों के विस्थापन ने स्थानीय संदर्भ में महिलाओं को कैसे प्रभावित किया है, इसका आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए। उपयुक्त नृवंशविज्ञान-संबंधी उदाहरणों के साथ समझाइए। (15 अंक)
(c) राष्ट्र निर्माण में मानवविज्ञान की भूमिका को स्पष्ट कीजिए। उपयुक्त उदाहरणों के साथ समझाइए। (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
(a) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (b) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Precise legal/policy references, strong ethnographic examples, clear analytical structure.
50MdiscussTribal distribution, S.C. Roy and OBC identification
(a) Discuss the distribution of tribes in different geographical regions of India. Identify the distinct institutional features of tribal societies of these regions. (20 marks)
(b) Critically evaluate the contributions of S. C. Roy to Indian anthropology. (15 marks)
(c) How are Other Backward Classes identified? Enumerating the important features, elucidate the recent changes in their social and economic life. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) भारत के विभिन्न भौगोलिक क्षेत्रों में जनजातियों के वितरण की विवेचना कीजिए। इन क्षेत्रों के जनजातीय समाजों की विशिष्ट संस्थागत विशेषताओं की पहचान कीजिए। (20 अंक)
(b) भारतीय मानवविज्ञान में एस० सी० रॉय के योगदान का समालोचनात्मक मूल्यांकन कीजिए। (15 अंक)
(c) अन्य पिछड़ा वर्ग की पहचान कैसे की जाती है? महत्वपूर्ण विशेषताओं की गणना करते हुए उनके सामाजिक और आर्थिक जीवन में हाल के परिवर्तनों को स्पष्ट कीजिए। (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
(a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) critically evaluate: positives > negatives/limits > conditions/safeguards > conclusion | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Comprehensive, specific, and critical analysis with named examples and clear structure.
Regional zones with major tribes
Institutional features of each zone: councils, dormitories, clan organisation