Anthropology 2024 Paper II 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Write short notes

Q1

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Digitisation of rural economy 10 (b) Origin of State Societies 10 (c) Syro-Malabar Christians 10 (d) Artisan tribes of Jharkhand 10 (e) Causes of stunting and wasting among tribal children 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक पर लगभग 150 शब्दों में लघु टिप्पणियाँ लिखिए : 10×5=50 (a) ग्रामीण अर्थव्यवस्था का अंकरूपण 10 (b) राज्य समाजों की उत्पत्ति 10 (c) सीरो-मालाबार ईसाई 10 (d) झारखंड की कारीगर जनजातियाँ 10 (e) जनजातीय बच्चों में बुंदिरोध एवं बेस्टिंग के कारण 10

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 precise terminology and focused coverage. Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 total), spending roughly 3 minutes per part: (a) define digitisation with e-NAM/PM-KISAN examples; (b) contrast Service's band-tribe-chiefdom-state sequence; (c) note Syrian Christian migration and caste integration; (d) identify Lohar, Kumhar, Malhar with their craft specialisations; (e) list biological and socio-economic determinants of undernutrition. No introduction or conclusion needed; begin directly with definitional precision for each.

Key points expected

  • (a) Digitisation: e-NAM, PM-KISAN, Common Service Centres, digital payment penetration in rural India, challenges of connectivity and digital literacy
  • (b) Origin of State: Service's evolutionary model (band→tribe→chiefdom→state), Fried's stratification theory, irrigation/hydraulic hypothesis (Wittfogel), warfare/conquest theories
  • (c) Syro-Malabar Christians: Thomas of Cana migration, Syrian liturgical tradition, caste-like hierarchy within (Northists/Southists), integration with Hindu caste system in Kerala
  • (d) Artisan tribes: Lohar (blacksmiths), Kumhar (potters), Malhar (basket-makers/bamboo workers), declining traditional occupations, occupational mobility issues
  • (e) Stunting/wasting: biological causes (infection, poor maternal nutrition), socio-economic (land alienation, displacement, PDS leakage, dietary diversity loss), NFHS-5 data relevance

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10For (a) distinguishes digitisation from computerisation; for (b) correctly identifies state as territorial-political entity with monopoly of force; for (c) specifies East Syriac rite vs Latin rite; for (d) correctly classifies artisan tribes as occupational caste-tribe continuum; for (e) distinguishes stunting (chronic) from wasting (acute) with correct anthropometric thresholdsBasic definitions correct but conflates key distinctions—e.g., treats digitisation as mere computer use, or conflates stunting/wasting; minor factual errors in one sub-partFundamental conceptual errors—e.g., describes state origin as purely contractual (Lockean) ignoring anthropological theories; confuses Syro-Malabar with Goan Catholics; misidentifies artisan tribes as pastoralists
Theoretical framing20%10For (b) deploys Service/Fried/Sahlins effectively; for (e) applies syndemic theory or structural violence (Farmer); for (a) references information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) framework; demonstrates awareness of theoretical debates (e.g., multilineal vs unilineal evolution for state origins)Mentions theories by name without elaboration—e.g., names Service but doesn't explain chiefdom-state transition; or cites NFHS without linking to structural determinants frameworkNo theoretical content; purely descriptive answers across all parts; or misattributes theories (e.g., attributes hydraulic hypothesis to Service)
Ethnographic / Indian examples20%10For (a) cites specific platforms (e-NAM, Soil Health Card Portal); for (b) references Indus Valley or Mehrgarh state formation; for (c) mentions Knanaya endogamy or specific dioceses; for (d) names Birhor or specific Jharkhand villages; for (e) cites tribal-specific NFHS-5 data or studies from Maharashtra/Madhya PradeshGeneric Indian examples—e.g., 'rural India' for digitisation, 'tribes in general' for stunting; one sub-part lacks specific ethnographic anchorNo Indian examples; uses irrelevant foreign ethnography (e.g., African pastoralists for Jharkhand artisans); or fabricates non-existent examples
Comparative analysis20%10For (b) contrasts Service's unilineal with Fried's multilineal evolution or compares with Claessen/Skalník early state typology; for (c) distinguishes Syro-Malabar from Syro-Malankara and Latin Catholics; for (e) compares tribal vs non-tribal rural undernutrition rates; for (d) contrasts artisan tribes with service castesImplicit comparison only—e.g., mentions chiefdoms as pre-state without explicit contrast; or notes caste-like features of Syrian Christians without systematic comparisonNo comparative element; treats each phenomenon in isolation; or makes false comparisons (e.g., equating digitisation with Green Revolution mechanisation)
Conclusion & applied angle20%10Each sub-part ends with applied insight: (a) digital divide as new axis of rural inequality; (b) relevance to understanding contemporary state formation; (c) implications for religious pluralism studies; (d) policy suggestions for artisan livelihood preservation; (e) targeted nutrition interventions integrating traditional food systems; demonstrates anthropological relevance to developmentWeak or generic concluding statements—e.g., 'thus digitisation is important' or 'stunting should be reduced'; applied angle present but not anthropologically informedNo conclusion in any sub-part; or irrelevant conclusions (e.g., political commentary on current government); abrupt endings without synthesis

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