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UPSC CSE Mains 2021 — Anthropology Questions with Answers
All 56 Anthropology previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2021, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice Anthropology as a timed test →- Q1.Social-Cultural Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: Animism and Deep Ecology.
- Q2.Social-Cultural Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: Marriage Regulations and Alliance Theory.
- Q3.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: Historical Particularism and Franz Boas.
- Q4.Fundamentals of Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: "The bio-cultural approach is the hallmark of Biological Anthropology." Explain.
- Q5.Prehistoric Archaeology
Write a short note in about 150 words: Thermoluminescence (TL) dating.
- Q6.Physical & Biological Anthropology
What are the physical and cultural characteristics of Homo erectus? Discuss its phylogenetic status.
- Q7.Anthropological Theories
Elucidate the concept of "thick description" of Clifford Geertz with a suitable example.
- Q8.Prehistoric Archaeology
Describe the features of early farming cultures and Neolithic of the Near East.
- Q9.Social-Cultural Anthropology
How do political organisations of simple societies establish power, authority and legitimacy?
- Q10.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Explain the genetic mechanisms of micro and macro evolution.
- Q11.Prehistoric Archaeology
Discuss the salient features of different traditions of European Mesolithic.
- Q12.Fundamentals of Anthropology
Elaborate the scope of anthropology and elucidate its uniqueness in the field of other social sciences.
- Q13.Linguistic Anthropology
Mention the major branches of linguistic anthropology and discuss language use in social and cultural settings.
- Q14.Human Genetics & Molecular Anthropology
"Chromosomal aberrations can play havoc with the human body and mind." Explain with suitable examples.
- Q15.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: Human adolescent growth spurt.
- Q16.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: The losses and gains of erect posture.
- Q17.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: Is race a valid and biologically meaningful concept?
- Q18.Social-Cultural Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: Descent Groups.
- Q19.Social-Cultural Anthropology
Write a short note in about 150 words: Modes of Subsistence.
- Q20.Physical & Biological Anthropology
What is acclimatization? Discuss adaptive responses to high altitude and cold climate.
- Q21.Applied & Forensic Anthropology
How are the cases of disputed paternity solved? Discuss the recent techniques.
- Q22.Social-Cultural Anthropology
Critically evaluate Lewis Morgan's classification of family.
- Q23.Social-Cultural Anthropology
Critically evaluate different types of social stratifications with suitable examples.
- Q24.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Discuss the bio-social determinants of fertility and fecundity.
- Q25.Physical & Biological Anthropology
What is Anthropometry? Discuss its role in assessing the nutritional status and sports capability of a person.
- Q26.Research Methods & Fieldwork
Discuss various tools of data collection in conducting anthropological research.
- Q27.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Discuss the physiological and evolutionary theories of aging.
- Q28.Anthropological Theories
Explain the structural analysis of kinship as proposed by Levi-Strauss.
- Q29.Indian Society & Civilization
Write a short note in about 150 words: Purushartha and righteous living today.
- Q30.Indian Society & Civilization
Write a short note in about 150 words: Relevance of tribe-caste continuum.
- Q31.Indian Prehistory & Populations
Write a short note in about 150 words: Harappan seals.
- Q32.Indian Society & Civilization
Write a short note in about 150 words: Caste and social capital.
- Q33.Indian Society & Civilization
Write a short note in about 150 words: Factionalism and politics in rural India.
- Q34.Indian Prehistory & Populations
Critically discuss the origin of Indus Valley Civilization. Mention the evidences of its endogenous origin from the pre-Harappan sites.
- Q35.Prehistoric Archaeology
Give the distribution and characteristic features of Upper Paleolithic culture in India.
- Q36.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Discuss the morphological features and phylogenetic position of Ramapithecus.
- Q37.Indian Prehistory & Populations
Explain the impact of the concept of nature-man-spirit complex on sustainable use of natural resources with suitable examples.
- Q38.Social-Cultural Anthropology
Examine the contributions of S. C. Roy in highlighting the role of customary laws in tribal life.
- Q39.Indian Society & Civilization
Critically assess the impact of Christianity on tribal culture and identity.
- Q40.Indian Prehistory & Populations
Discuss the contributions of N. K. Bose in understanding tribal commune and their place in Indian civilization.
- Q41.Indian Society & Civilization
Discuss the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in transforming traditional power hierarchy in rural India.
- Q42.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Elucidate the problems and challenges in educational attainment of the Scheduled Tribes.
- Q43.Tribal & Indigenous India
Write a short note in about 150 words: Urbanization and tribal institutions.
- Q44.Indian Society & Civilization
Write a short note in about 150 words: Ethnic media and social awareness.
- Q45.Indian Society & Civilization
Write a short note in about 150 words: Cultural diversity and multiculturalism.
- Q46.Tribal & Indigenous India
Write a short note in about 150 words: Concept of tribe and Indian census.
- Q47.Tribal & Indigenous India
Write a short note in about 150 words: Politics of recognition and deprivation.
- Q48.Tribal & Indigenous India
Discuss the impact of the Forest Rights Act (2006) on the livelihood and culture of tribal people in India.
- Q49.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Examine the factors responsible for malnutrition in tribal India and suggest interventions required to overcome the problem.
- Q50.Physical & Biological Anthropology
Delineate the factors influencing fertility in Indian population.
- Q51.Tribal & Indigenous India
Explain the impact of successive Land Acquisition Acts on tribal social organization.
- Q52.Tribal & Indigenous India
Discuss the problems involved in rehabilitation and resettlement of tribals displaced due to development projects in India.
- Q53.Tribal & Indigenous India
Discuss the interventions made by the Non-Governmental Organizations for empowering tribal women.
- Q54.Indian Society & Civilization
Examine how structural transformation in economy is affecting traditional social relationships in agrarian society.
- Q55.Indian Society & Civilization
Delineate the constitutional safeguard for religious minorities in India.
- Q56.Tribal & Indigenous India
Identify the causes of tribal unrest with special reference to North-East India.
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