Anthropology Optional · Paper I · General Anthropology
Culture, Language and Communication Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Culture, Language and Communication (Anthropology Optional Paper I, Unit 07), arranged by syllabus sub-topic so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Nature, origin and characteristics of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social context of language use.
1
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8
Questions listed
6
Asked since 2013
1993–2025
Years covered
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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Anthropology units
Official UPSC syllabus
Culture, Language and Communication: syllabus
The syllabus text as UPSC notifies it for Paper I of Anthropology Optional. Every note and question on this page maps to these lines. Full Paper I and Paper II syllabus.
7 Culture, Language and Communication: Nature, origin and characteristics of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social contex of language use.
Paper I · Unit 07
Culture, Language and Communication notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order, written for UPSC Mains with diagrams, key terms and the previous year questions of each topic. Read a topic, then practise its questions below.
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Previous year questions: Culture, Language and Communication
All 8 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1993 and 2025, grouped by syllabus sub-topic, newest first. Questions from 2013 onwards (the current pattern) are shown in full; earlier ones open on a tap.
How often UPSC asks each sub-topic
| Sub-topic | Questions | Since 2013 | Last asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culture, language and communication | 8 | 6 | 2025 |
Culture, language and communication
8 questions · 6 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Read the notes: Culture, Language and Communication
Asked since 2013 · 6
2025Describe briefly the theoretical perspectives in linguistic anthropology to explain the relationship of culture, language and thought.2023Write notes on: Glottochronology.2020Write notes on Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in about 150 words.2020Explain how variations in language usage is related to social inequality.2018Critically examine that the structure and content of language are influenced by culture.2017Write a note in 150 words on Nonverbal communication.
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
1993–2012 · 2 questions
2010State the theories regarding the origin of spoken languages in human societies both from biological and cultural points of view.1993Write a note on Language and culture.
Year-wise question papers
All question papers Topic-wise PYQ bank (both papers) 2026 paper 2025 paper 2024 paper 2023 paper
Previous · Paper I · Unit 06
Anthropological Theories
Classical evolutionism, historical particularism, diffusionism, functionalism, structuralism, culture and personality, neo-evolutionism, cultural materialism, symbolic, cognitive and postmodern theories.
Next · Paper I · Unit 08
Research Methods in Anthropology
Fieldwork tradition; technique, method and methodology; tools of data collection; analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.
Anthropology Optional
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