The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India for recruiting candidates into various civil services including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others. As part of the UPSC CSE, candidates have the option to choose Anthropology as their optional subject. Here’s an overview of the optional subject Anthropology in UPSC CSE:

• Subject Overview:

• • • Anthropology is the study of human societies, cultures, and behaviors, encompassing a wide range of topics such as social structure, kinship, religion, evolution, and more.
    • It is a popular optional subject for the UPSC CSE due to its interdisciplinary nature and overlap with general studies.

• Syllabus:

• • • The Anthropology optional syllabus for UPSC CSE covers two papers, Paper-I and Paper-II.
    • Paper-I focuses on the basics of anthropology, including the fundamentals of the discipline, social structure, kinship, and tribal anthropology.
    • Paper-II delves deeper into topics like evolution, primatology, human genetics, and applied anthropology.

• Scoring Potential:

• • • Anthropology is considered a scoring optional subject because it has a relatively defined syllabus and is less dynamic compared to other subjects.
    • It offers a good opportunity for candidates to secure high marks if they have a strong grasp of the subject matter.

• Availability of Study Material:

• • • A wide range of books and study materials are available for Anthropology as an optional subject, making it accessible for candidates to prepare effectively.

• Interdisciplinary Nature:

• • • Anthropology overlaps with many areas of the UPSC CSE general studies papers, such as sociology, geography, and culture, which can be advantageous for aspirants.

• Coaching Institutes:

• • • Many coaching institutes across India offer specialized coaching for Anthropology as an optional subject. However, self-study is also a viable option for those who prefer it.

• Answer Writing and Practice:

• • • To excel in Anthropology as an optional subject, it’s crucial to practice answer writing, especially for the essay and descriptive papers in the Mains examination.
    • Candidates should focus on providing a clear and structured presentation of their knowledge.

• Previous Year Papers:

• • • Analyzing previous years’ question papers can provide insights into the pattern and types of questions asked in the Anthropology optional paper.

• Optional Selection:

• • • Choosing Anthropology as an optional subject should be based on your personal interest, background, and understanding of the subject matter. It’s essential to choose an optional that you are comfortable with and can score well in.

• Current Relevance:

• • While Anthropology as a subject may not have immediate current affairs relevance, it can help in understanding social and cultural aspects of various issues, which can be beneficial for the interview stage.

In conclusion, Anthropology is a popular optional subject for UPSC CSE due to its scoring potential and overlap with general studies. However, like any optional subject, success depends on the candidate’s dedication, understanding of the subject matter, and ability to apply anthropological concepts to contemporary issues. It’s advisable to choose this optional only if you have a genuine interest in the subject and are willing to put in the necessary effort to excel.