UPSC Mains 2021 Anthropology Optional Paper I questions

26 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Anthropology Optional PYQs

1. Animism and Deep Ecology

   10 marks

2. Marriage Regulations and Alliance Theory

   10 marks

3. Historical Particularism and Franz Boas

   10 marks

4. "The bio-cultural approach is the hallmark of Biological Anthropology." Explain.

   10 marks

5. What are the physical and cultural characteristics of Homo erectus? Discuss its phylogenetic status.

   20 marks

6. Elucidate the concept of "thick description" of Clifford Geertz with a suitable example.

   15 marks

7. Describe the features of early farming cultures and Neolithic of the Near Kast.

8. How do political organisations of simple societies establish power, authority and legitimacy?

   20 marks

9. Explain the genetic mechanisms of micro and macro evolution.

   15 marks

10. Discuss the salient features of different traditions of European Mesolithic.

    15 marks

11. Elaborate the scope of anthropology and elucidate its uniqueness in the field of other social sciences.

    20 marks

12. Mention the major branches of linguistic anthropology and discuss language use in social and cultural settings.

    15 marks

13. "Chromosomal aberrations can play havoc with the human body and mind." Explain with suitable examples.

    15 marks

14. Human adolescent growth spurt

    10 marks

15. The losses and gains of erect posture

    10 marks

16. Is race a valid and biologically meaningful concept?

    10 marks

17. Modes of Subsistence

    10 marks

18. sat Ate What is acclimatization? Discuss adaptive responses to high altitude and cold climate.

    20 marks

19. How are the cases of disputed paternity solved? Discuss the recent techniques.

    15 marks

20. Critically evaluate Lewis Morgan's classification of family.

    15 marks

21. Critically evaluate different types of social stratifications with suitable examples.

    20 marks

22. Discuss the bio-social determinants of fertility and fecundity.

    15 marks

23. What is Anthropometry? Discuss its role in assessing the nutritional status and sports capability of a person.

    15 marks

24. Discuss various tools of data collection in conducting anthropological research.

    20 marks

25. Discuss the physiological and evolutionary theories of aging.

    15 marks

26. Explain the structural analysis of kinship as proposed by Lévi-Strauss.

    15 marks