Anthropology Optional · Paper II · Indian Anthropology
Religions, Tribes and the Nation-State Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Religions, Tribes and the Nation-State (Anthropology Optional Paper II, Unit 08), arranged by syllabus sub-topic so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies; tribe and nation-state in India and other countries.
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27
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17
Asked since 2013
1989–2026
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Religions, Tribes and the Nation-State: syllabus
The syllabus text as UPSC notifies it for Paper II of Anthropology Optional. Every note and question on this page maps to these lines. Full Paper I and Paper II syllabus.
8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.
8.2 Tribe and nation state: a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other countries.
Paper II · Unit 08
Religions, Tribes and the Nation-State 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: Religions, Tribes and the Nation-State
All 27 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1989 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-topic | Questions | Since 2013 | Last asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 Impact of religions on tribal societies | 18 | 11 | 2026 |
| 8.2 Tribe and nation-state | 9 | 6 | 2025 |
8.1 Impact of religions on tribal societies
18 questions · 11 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Read the notes: Impact of Religions on Tribal Societies
Asked since 2013 · 11
2026Discuss the impact of Christianity on the tribal population of Jharkhand.2026Write notes on: Buddhist tribes of India.2025Evaluate the impact of Christianity on Scheduled Tribe societies of North-East India.2022Explain the social and religious consequences of contact between tribal and non-tribal populations.2021Critically assess the impact of Christianity on tribal culture and identity.2020Explain the impact of Hinduism on Tribal people of India.2019Describe the impact of Buddhism on the tribal populations of India.2017Write a note in 150 words on Impact of Christianity on Indian tribes.2016Discuss the impact of Islam on scheduled tribes of India.2015Discuss the impact of Hinduism on the status of tribal women in Central India.2014Write a note in 150 words on Impact of Christianity on tribes.
Show 7 earlier questions (before 2013)
1995–2012 · 7 questions
2012Using ethnographic examples, highlight the processes of religious conversions in Tribal India.2011Discuss the impact of Hindu Society on tribal population in India.2009Analyse the impact of Christianity on tribal communities with special reference to North East India.2002Write a note on Bases of tribal religion.2000Write a note on Impact of Christianity on tribal societies.1996Define religion in anthropological perspective. Bring out the impact of Christianity on the converted and non-converted tribal groups of India.1995Write a note on Hindu mode of tribal absorption.
8.2 Tribe and nation-state
9 questions · 6 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Read the notes: Tribe and Nation-State
Asked since 2013 · 6
2025Critically evaluate the concept of Nation-State and describe its impact on indigenous societies.2024Distinguish a ‘Theocratic State’ from a secular, liberal, democratic state. Illustrate your answer with examples from tribal and contemporary societies.2023Elucidate the role of anthropology in nation-building. Illustrate with suitable examples.2019Discuss with appropriate examples how tribal unrest may be understood as emerging out of an incompatibility between tribes and the nation-state.2017Critically evaluate the term ‘tribe’ (as used in India) as compared to the term ‘indigenous’ in some other countries.2015Critically compare ‘Affirmative Action’ of USA and ‘Protective Discrimination for Scheduled Tribes in India.
Show 3 earlier questions (before 2013)
1989–2012 · 3 questions
2012Critically examine the relationship between tribal communities and the Nation-State on issues of governance.2001What do you know by tribe and nation? How do states carved for tribals in India differ from tribal-nation states in Africa? Discuss.1989Write notes on: Describe ILO’s Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal people. Is India a signatory to it? (2024).
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Previous · Paper II · Unit 07
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs
Exploitation, deprivation and constitutional safeguards; social change in contemporary tribal societies; ethnicity, unrest, regionalism, autonomy, pseudo-tribalism; tribal movements.
Next · Paper II · Unit 09
Tribal Administration and Development
History of tribal administration, policies, plans and programmes; PVTGs; role of NGOs; anthropology in tribal and rural development; regionalism, communalism and ethnic movements.
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