Anthropology Optional · Paper I · General Anthropology
Political Organization and Social Control Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Political Organization and Social Control (Anthropology Optional Paper I, Unit 04), arranged by syllabus sub-topic so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; power, authority and legitimacy; social control, law and justice in simple societies.
2
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26
Questions listed
11
Asked since 2013
1981–2026
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Official UPSC syllabus
Political Organization and Social Control: 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.
4 Political Organization and Social Control: Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; concepts of power, authority and legitimacy; social control, law and justice in simple Societies.
Paper I · Unit 04
Political Organization and Social Control 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: Political Organization and Social Control
All 26 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1981 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political organization and social control | 26 | 11 | 2026 |
Political organization and social control
26 questions · 11 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Read the notes: Political Organisation · Social Control, Law and Justice
Asked since 2013 · 11
2026How do the concepts of power, authority, legitimacy and social control change with changing political organization? Discuss in detail giving suitable examples.2024Write notes on: Authority and forms of political organization.2023Write notes on: Customary laws and Environmental conservation.2022Discuss the mechanism of social control in different kinds of political systems.2021How do political organizations of simple societies establish power, authority and legitimacy ?2020How is the construct of power linked to the notion of conspicuous consumption and its impact on distributive justice?2018How does customary law function in the tribal society ? Discuss its different sources.2017Mention the characteristic features of band with suitable examples.2016Discuss different social control mechanisms in simple societies.2014Discuss the nature of Law and Justice in simple societies citing suitable examples.2014Differentiate between State and Stateless Societies.
Show 15 earlier questions (before 2013)
1981–2012 · 15 questions
2012Write a note in 150 words on Band and Tribal societies.2009Write a note on Chiefdom in tribal society.2006Describe the evolution of political systems.2006Discuss the factors affecting ethnic boundaries giving suitable examples.1996Differentiate between centralized political systems and stateless political systems, and state how law and justice are administered in stateless societies.1994Differentiate between state and stateless political systems. Do you think that a stateless political system can function in modern societies ?1991Explain the meaning and scope of political anthropology. Describe how law and justice are maintained in simpler societies.1990Write a note on Band and tribe.1989Explain the meaning and scope of Political Anthropology. Describe how law and order are being maintained in the so called preliterate societies.1986How is law administered in primitive societies ? Give suitable examples.1985Write a note in 200 words on Tribal India : Distribution and major economic pursuits of the tribal population.1985What are the basic features of law and what are its functions ? Substantiate your views with illustrations.1984Describe a stateless political system.1983Civil laws are present also in simpler societies.1981Differentiate between the State and Stateless political systems with regard to locus, power and functions of the legitimate authority.
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Economic Organization
Economic anthropology; formalist-substantivist debate; reciprocity, redistribution and market; subsistence economies; globalisation and indigenous economies.
Anthropology Optional
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