UPSC Mains ANTHROPOLOGY-PAPER-II 2025

28 Questions • 400 Marks • With Detailed Model Answers

1
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(a) 'Soanian cultural' tradition

ArchaeologyAnthropology
2
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(b) Caste domination, factionalism and political power

SociologyPolitical Science
3
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(c) Regionalism and Autonomy

Political ScienceSociology
4
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(d) Verrier Elwin's philosophy with respect to Arunachal Pradesh

AnthropologySociology
5
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(e) Characteristics and communication between Little and Great Traditions

AnthropologySociology
6
20 Markshard

Discuss the palaeoanthropological significance of Siwaliks of India giving its subdivisions, fossil primate fauna and major primate fossil localities.

AnthropologyGeologyPaleontology
7
15 Markshard

Delineate the major features of S. S. Sarkar's classification of Indian populations. Was his classification better than Risley? Explain.

AnthropologySociology
8
15 Marksmedium

Evaluate the impact of Christianity on Scheduled Tribe societies of North-East India.

AnthropologySociologyReligion
9
20 Marksmedium

Describe the distinctive features and distribution of Upper Palaeolithic of India.

ArchaeologyAnthropology
10
15 Marksmedium

Examine the environmental and biocultural factors influencing the health of tribals of India.

AnthropologyPublic HealthEnvironment
11
15 Marksmedium

Highlight the significant contributions of B. S. Guha, Irawati Karve and S. R. K. Chopra to Indian Anthropology.

AnthropologySociology
12
20 Marksmedium

What are the different types of caste mobility in India? Highlight the various factors responsible for it.

SociologyAnthropology
13
15 Marksmedium

Elucidate the role of demographic and social factors for population growth in India.

SociologyDemography
14
15 Markshard

Critically examine the concept of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and mention the limitations of administrator's criteria.

SociologyPolitical ScienceAnthropology
15
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(a) Impact of urbanization and industrialization on tribal communities of India

SociologyAnthropologyEconomy
16
10 Marks150 Wordshard

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(b) Taxonomic status of Ramapithecus in the light of Ramapithecus-Sivapithecus controversy

AnthropologyPaleontology
17
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(c) Tribalism and Pseudotribalism

SociologyAnthropology
18
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(d) Varnashrama and its contemporary relevance

SociologyReligionHistory
19
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

(e) Lothal dockyard and international trade relations

ArchaeologyHistoryEconomy
20
20 Marksmedium

"The village was not merely a place where people lived; it had a design in which were reflected the basic values of Indian civilization.” Who said this? Elaborate.

SociologyAnthropologyHistory
21
15 Marksmedium

Discuss the role of NGOs in the socioeconomic and political development of weaker sections and the manner in which they facilitate other stakeholders.

SociologyPolitical ScienceDevelopment Studies
22
15 Markshard

Trace the history and describe the methods of formulating the lists of OBCs, both at the State and National levels.

SociologyPolitical ScienceSocial Justice
23
20 Marksmedium

Identify the contemporary limitations in the process of tribal development. How can anthropological knowledge contribute in this process?

AnthropologySociologyDevelopment Studies
24
15 Marksmedium

Discuss the rising ethnic conflicts in India and propose their possible remedial measures.

SociologyPolitical ScienceSocial Justice
25
15 Markshard

Critically evaluate the concept of Nation-State and describe its impact on indigenous societies.

Political ScienceSociologyAnthropology
26
20 Marksmedium

Describe the nature of traditional socioeconomic interdependence among the Toda, Kota, Kurumba and Irula tribes of Nilgiri Hills. Highlight the changes occurring in these interrelationships.

AnthropologySociology
27
15 Marksmedium

Define minority. Elaborate the patterns of linguistic and religious minorities in India.

SociologyPolitical Science
28
15 Marksmedium

What are the identifying criteria for PVTGs in India? Examine their current status, nomenclature and distribution.

AnthropologySociologyDevelopment Studies