Anthropology Optional · Paper I · General Anthropology

Human Growth and Development Notes · PYQs

Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Human Growth and Development (Anthropology Optional Paper I, Unit 10), arranged by syllabus sub-topic so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Stages of growth; factors affecting growth and development; ageing and senescence; physique and somatotypes; methods of growth study.

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46

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24

Asked since 2013

1985–2026

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Official UPSC syllabus

Human Growth and Development: 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.

10 Concept of human growth and Development: Stages of growth—pre-natal, natal, infant, childhood, adolescence, maturity, senescence.
Factors affecting growth and development genetic, environmental, biochemical, nutritional, cultural and socio-economic.
Ageing and senescence. Theories and observations biological and chronological longevity. Human physique and somatotypes. Methodologies for growth studies.

Paper I · Unit 10

Human Growth and Development 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: Human Growth and Development

All 46 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1985 and 2026, 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-topicQuestionsSince 2013Last asked
Concept of human growth and development46242026

Concept of human growth and development

46 questions · 24 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Read the notes: Human Growth and Development · Ageing and Somatotypes

Asked since 2013 · 24

  • 2026Write notes on: Canalization and catch-up growth.
  • 2026What is meant by a somatotype? Discuss the Heath-Carter anthropometric method, giving its advantages over that of Sheldon’s method. How can somatotyping be applied in sports sciences?
  • 2023What is mixed-longitudinal method of studying human growth? Discuss its merits and demerits.
  • 2022Write notes on: Stages of human pre-natal development.
  • 2022Why Heath and Carter used anthropometric measurements instead of photographs of an individual to assess the somatotype? Elaborate their method.
  • 2022Critically evaluate the reasons of reduction in age at menarche in human females over the successive generations.
  • 2021Write notes on: Human adolescent growth spurt. (in about 150 words).
  • 2021Discuss the physiological and evolutionary theories of aging.
  • 2020Write notes on the Senescence in about 150 words.
  • 2020Secular trend in human growth can be positive, negative or neutral. Illustrate with examples.
  • 2019Write a note in 150 words on Genetico -environmental factors affecting human growth.
  • 2019Discuss the methods of studying human growth with their merits and demerits.
  • 2018Write a note in 150 words on Issues of Elderly and Senescence in Developing and Developed Countries.
  • 2018Explain the mechanisms of human variation in gene frequencies.
  • 2017Describe the various methods of studying growth highlighting their merits and demerits.
  • 2017Discuss Sheldon’s method of somatotyping.
  • 2016Discuss different factors affecting growth and development in human beings.
  • 2015Write a note in 150 words on Longitudinal method of studying growth.
  • 2015What is an anthropometric somatotype? Describe Heath and Carter’s method of somatotyping.
  • 2014Write a note in 150 words on Cross-sectional methods of studying human growth.
  • 2014What are the different stages of Growth? Describe any one of them in detail.
  • 2014Discuss Ageing and Senescence. Describe either the biological or social theories of Ageing.
  • 2013Write a note  on Aging  and Senescence  in 150 words.
  • 2013Write a note in 150 words on Differentiate between Child Growth & Development.
Show 22 earlier questions (before 2013)

1985–2012 · 22 questions

  • 2012Explain any two biological theories of aging based on purposeful events.
  • 2011Describe different methods of studying human growth.
  • 2011Define somatotype. Describe the salient features of different components of somatotype.
  • 2010Write a note in 150 words on Senescence and socio-economics in contemporary times.
  • 2009Differentiate between ‘growth’ & development’. List the factors affecting human growth and development.
  • 2009Discuss the theories of ‘Aging’
  • 2006Describe various methods of studying Human Growth specifying their merits and demerits.
  • 2005Write a note on Aging.
  • 2005Critically discuss the factors affecting human growth and development.
  • 2004Critically examine the role of nutritional, socio-economic and cultural factors on human growth and development.
  • 2003Differentiate between human growth and development and describe the various stages of human growth.
  • 2002Write a note on Methods for the study of human growth.
  • 2001Define growth and maturation and discuss the different factors affecting them. ·.
  • 1999What is meant by physical growth: norms? How are these made and how do they depict the growth status of a population?
  • 1998Write a note on Growth curves.
  • 1997Write a note on Longitudinal growth.
  • 1995Write a note on Senescence.
  • 1995Describe the patterns of human physical growth and development from birth to maturity.
  • 1992Discuss the changes which are taking place in the tribal societies in India and describe the factors responsible for this.
  • 1991Describe the stages of human physical growth and development and discuss the effect of nutrition and inbreeding on growth and development.
  • 1990Describe the methods of studying growth and physical development of children. Discuss the role of hormonal and nutritional factors on human growth and development.
  • 1985Give a short account of the present-day growth studies in India.

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Previous · Paper I · Unit 09

Human Genetics, Race and Ecological Anthropology

Methods of human genetics; Mendelian genetics; Hardy-Weinberg and polymorphism; chromosomal aberrations; race and racism; genetic markers; ecological and epidemiological anthropology.

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Next · Paper I · Unit 11

Bioevents, Fertility and Demography

Menarche, menopause and other bioevents; fertility patterns; demographic theories; factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality.

Notes · PYQs

Anthropology Optional

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