Anthropology Optional · Paper II · Indian Anthropology
Emergence and Growth of Anthropology in India Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Emergence and Growth of Anthropology in India (Anthropology Optional Paper II, Unit 04), arranged by syllabus sub-topic so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Contributions of 18th, 19th and early 20th century scholar-administrators; contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.
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51
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27
Asked since 2013
1985–2026
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Official UPSC syllabus
Emergence and Growth of Anthropology in India: 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.
4 Emergence, growth and development in India: Contributions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.
Paper II · Unit 04
Emergence and Growth of Anthropology in India 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: Emergence and Growth of Anthropology in India
All 51 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-topic | Questions | Since 2013 | Last asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergence and growth of anthropology in India | 51 | 27 | 2026 |
Emergence and growth of anthropology in India
51 questions · 27 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Read the notes: Anthropology in India · Indian Anthropologists on Tribe and Caste
Asked since 2013 · 27
2026Write notes on: Kumar Suresh Singh’s contribution in studying tribal movements.2026Write an account on the contribution of Verrier Elwin in developing policies for the tribal populations in post-independent India.2026Write notes on: Contribution of L. K. Ananthakrishna Iyer in Anthropology.2026Assess the contribution of colonial scholars in studying the tribal populations of North-East India.2026Make a critical appraisal of Surajit Sinha’s line of argument that tribes and castes may not be isolated social categories, but are a part of the great Indian civilization.2025Highlight the significant contributions of B. S. Guha, Irawati Karve and S. R. K. Chopra to Indian Anthropology.2025Write notes on: Verrier Elwin’s philosophy with respect to Arunachal Pradesh.2024Deconstruct the colonial history of Indian Anthropology highlighting the critical role played by the Indian Anthropologists in sustaining its autonomy.2024Discuss the contribution of P. K. Bhowmick in decriminalising the status of the Lodha tribe.2023Critically evaluate the contributions of S. C. Roy to Indian anthropology.2022Illustrate the contribution of Irawati Karve to Indian Anthropology. Make a special mention of her literary contribution.2021Examine the contributions of S.C. Roy in highlighting the role of customary laws in tribal life.2021Discuss the contributions of N.K. Bose in understanding tribal communities and their place in Indian civilization.2020Write short note on the Contribution of K. S. Singh to Indian Anthropology in about 150 words.2019Give an account of the contributions of Iravati Karve and B.S. Guha to the analysis of race and caste in India.2019Write about the role of colonial administration in the development of Anthropology in India.2018Examine the colonial administrators view that Indian villages can be considered as ‘little republics’2018Compare and contrast the economic typology of tribes given by different anthropologists.2018Discuss the contribution of S. C. Roy in the study of tribal cultures in India.2017Discuss the contribution of Nirmal Kumar Bose to the understanding of Indian society.2016Write about the contribution made by Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf to tribal anthropology in India.2016Compare the contribution of L.P. Vidyarthi and D.N. Majumdar to the study of Indian tribes.2015Write a note in 150 words on Elwin Ghurye Debate on Tribes.2015Discuss the contribution of M.N. Srinivas to the study of Indian society. Examine the influence of British social anthropologists on his ideas.2014Write a note in 150 words on Contribution of H. H. Risley to the Aryan’ debate.2014Discuss the contributions of S.C. Roy to understanding the tribes of India.2013Examine anthropological contributions dealing with tribes and Indian civilization. (375 words).
Show 24 earlier questions (before 2013)
1985–2012 · 24 questions
2012Trace the trajectory of encyclopaedic work on tribes and castes of South India With special reference to Ananthakrishna Iyer’s contribution.2012Compare the contributions of S.C. Roy and Verrier Elwin to tribal ethnographies in India.2011Evaluate the contribution of American anthropologists to Indian anthropology.2011Assess the contribution of Verrier Elwin to Indian anthropology.2010Assess the contributions of M.N. Srinivas towards Indian Anthropology in general. Add a note on his understanding in the context of studying social mobility in India.2009Write a brief note on the contributions of Prof. L. P. Vidyarthi in the field of anthropology.2007Highlight the contributions of Indian anthropologists in the understanding of tribal life.2006Write a note on N.K. Bose’s contribution to Indian Anthropology.2006Briefly discuss the contribution of Indian anthropologists during 20th century.2005Give an account of the contributions of Indian scholars in the growth and development of Anthropology in India in early 20 th century.2002Write a note on K.S. Singh’s project on the People of India.2002Critically examine the contributions of some of the British scholar administrators to Indian anthropology,.2001Write a note on S.C. Roy’s contributions to anthropology.1998Write a note on V. Elwin and his contributions contributions.1997Assess the growth and development of Anthropology in India. Illustrate the contributions of early twentieth century Anthropologists in Tribal and Caste studies.1996Estimate the contributions of S.C. Roy in the field of ethnography and his influence on the growth of Anthropology in India.1995Write a note on Maler’s perception of the habitat.1995Discuss the major contributions of von Furer Haimendorf to Indian Anthropology.1994Give a brief summary on the growth of Indian Anthropology indicating the factors responsible and the results achieved.1993Critically discuss the major anthropological contributions in the study of Indian tribal population.1992Write a note on Distinctive features in the growth of Indian Anthropology.1990Discuss the major concept and approaches employed by the Anthropologists in the study of peasant society in India.1987Briefly describe the highpoints in the growth of Indian anthropology and evaluate the contributions made either by D.N. Majumdar or Verrier Elwin.1985Write an essay on the growth of Anthropology in India.
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Previous · Paper II · Unit 03
Indian Social System and Caste
Varnashrama, purushartha, karma, rina and rebirth; caste structure and theories of origin; dominant caste, mobility, jajmani; sacred complex; impact of other religions.
Next · Paper II · Unit 05
Indian Village and Social Change
Village studies and agrarian relations; linguistic and religious minorities; Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; little and great traditions; Panchayati Raj and media.
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