This article, on Anthropology as an optional subject, has been written with inputs from Kirti Chekuri (AIR 14, 2015) and Neha Kumari (AIR Rank 26, 2014), who chose Anthropology as their optional subject for Mains.

• Start with the study of syllabus and previous years question bank. Most of the previous year questions have been repeated number of times. Hence it is very important to cover the syllabus along with clarity of understanding as well as making 200-400 words of notes on each sub-topic.
• Divide the syllabus of each section into 10 to 12 parts each. Then note down one topic and under this topic, write down all the questions asked in previous years. Then make short notes of each topic. Notes must be concise and crisp.

Study Material:

Physical Anthropology :

• P Nath – Must buy
• Das – few topics are really good – Desirable
• Vaid Sir’s Notes
• Muniratnam Sir Printed material
• Braintree notes

For every topic in this section first go through P Nath and VS thoroughly. Then make notes and mug them up.

Fossil Evidence:

• S Das

Socio Cultural Anthropology:

• Introduction to Socio-cultural Anthropology by Dr N K Vaid
• Muniratnam Printed Material
• Braintree

Indian Anthropology:

• Tribal India Nadeem Hasnain
• Indian Anthropology Nadeem Hasnain
• Muniratnam Printed material
• Braintree

Answer Writing Strategy:

• Use side headings
• Diagrams
• Case studies
• Examples
• Definitions

Topics in Paper-2 for which case studies could be collected:

• Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status.
• Panchayati raj and social change; Media and social change.
• Problems of the tribal Communities – land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low literacy, poor educational facilities, unemployment, underemployment, health and nutrition.
• Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement and problems of rehabilitation. Development of forest policy and tribals. Impact of urbanization and industrialization on tribal populations.
• Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
• Social change and contemporary tribal societies: Impact of modern democratic institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.
• The concept of ethnicity; Ethnic conflicts and political developments; Unrest among tribal communities; Regionalism and demand for autonomy; Pseudo-tribalism; Social change among the tribes during colonial and post-Independent India.
• Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.
• History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal Groups), their distribution, special programmes for their development. Role of N.G.O.s in tribal development.
• Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.
• Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism, and ethnic and political movements.