UPSC Mains 2019 Anthropology Optional Paper I questions

25 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Anthropology Optional PYQs

1. The relationship between Linguistics and Social-Cultural Anthropology

   10 marks

2. Cultural Materialism

   10 marks

3. Relative Dating Methods

   10 marks

4. Discuss the evolutionary significance of bipedalism and erect posture.

   20 marks

5. How did Radcliffe-Brown and Levi-Strauss study kinship in terms of social structure?

   15 marks

6. Elucidate Mesolithic culture and associated rock art with examples from India.

   15 marks

7. Discuss social stratification according to any three major approaches.

   20 marks

8. "Europeans are closer to Neanderthals." Critically discuss in view of the African origin of humankind.

   15 marks

9. Discuss briefly the major traditions in the Upper Palaeolithic culture of Europe.

   15 marks

10. With reference to the somatoscopic and morphometric characteristics commonly used for racial classification, make critical comments as to whether 'Race' is a valid concept.

    20 marks

11. Critically explain the anthropological approaches to religion.

    15 marks

12. Differentiate between transient and balanced genetic polymorphism. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples from human populations.

    15 marks

13. Adaptive primate radiation

    10 marks

14. Implications of mutation in evolution

    10 marks

15. Anthropological inputs in facial reconstruction oe

16. Genetico-environmental factors affecting human growth 'es

17. Examine critically the contributions of Victor Turner and Clifford Geertz in anthropology.

    20 marks

18. "Human adaptations are always bio-cultural in nature." Discuss with reference to human adaptation to high-altitude climate.

    15 marks

19. Discuss the methods of studying human growth with their merits and demerits.

    15 marks

20. Discuss how indigenous people encounter globalization.

    20 marks

21. "Applied human genetics has come to touch every sphere of human life." Discuss in light of recent advances in molecular anthropology.

    15 marks

22. Evaluate participant observation in producing anthropological knowledge.

    15 marks

23. Discuss with examples the Megalithic culture of India in the } archaeological context.

    20 marks

24. Discuss the bio-cultural factors influencing fertility in light of the relationship between fecundity and fertility.

    15 marks

25. Discuss phenomenology as a research method in anthropological studies.

    15 marks