UPSC Anthropology Optional Booklist
Anthropology is a popular optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination due to its scientific approach, scoring potential, and overlap with General Studies. However, selecting the right books is crucial for effective preparation. This guide provides a well-researched booklist along with their specific purposes, features, and benefits.
Additionally, we highly recommend students refer to Anthroholic’s free articles, which are written by Ph.D. scholars and provide updated, well-researched insights. UPSC toppers, including Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017), Lakshmi Nagappan (AIR 45, 2019), have also shared their booklists, which we incorporate in this blog.
Best Books for UPSC Anthropology Optional
| Book Name | Author | Purpose | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCERT Kerala Board Class XI & XII Anthropology Books | SCERT Board | Covers the basics of Anthropology & Indian Anthropology | Easiest books to begin with and develop interest in the subject |
| Physical Anthropology | P. Nath | Covers human evolution, genetics, and variations | Paper 1 – Biological Anthropology |
| Anthropology | Ember & Ember | Introduction to anthropology with a global perspective | Beginners, Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
| IGNOU M.A Study Material | IGNOU | Covers various topics from the syllabus | Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
| An Introduction to Social Anthropology | D.N. Majumdar & T.N. Madan | Explains social structures, institutions, and culture | Paper 1 – Socio-Cultural Anthropology |
| Anthropology Simplified | Dr. Vivek Bhasme | Quick revision with simplified explanations and diagrams | Answer writing & revision |
| An Outline of Indian Prehistory | DK Bhattacharya | Covers concepts of Archaeology and Indian Anthropology | Paper 1 – Archaeology & Paper 2 – Indian Archaeology |
| Indian Anthropology | Nadeem Hasnain | Focuses on Indian society, tribal issues, and ethnography | Paper 2 – Indian Anthropology |
| Tribal India | Nadeem Hasnain | Detailed study on Indian tribes, policies, and challenges | Paper 2 – Tribal Issues |
| History of Anthropological Thought | Upadhyay & Pandey | Covers major anthropological theories and thinkers | Paper 1 – Anthropological Theories |
| Anthropological Theories | Makhan Jha | Simplifies complex theories with real-world applications | Paper 1 – Theory and Thinkers |
| Anthropological Thought | Telugu Akademi | Anthropological Theories in depth | Best for In-depth understanding of Theories |
| Anthropology Vol. I Human Genetics | Telugu Akademi | Human Genetics in Depth | Paper 1 Human Genetics & Applications of Anthropology |
| Anthropology Vol. II Evolutionary Genetics | Telugu Akademi | Human Evolution & Genetic Markers | Human evolution topics of Paper 1 |
| Anthropology Vol. III Human Evolution | Telugu Akademi | Covers Fossil Humans, Race & Racism, Human Growth & Development | Paper 1 Topics |
| Cultural Anthropology | Ember & Ember | Explores cultural aspects, kinship, marriage, and society | Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
| Anthropology Demystified | Akshat Jain | Short Notes & Question Answers for the syllabus | Revision, diagrams. Very concise short notes |
| Biological Anthropology | Dr. Arjun Bopanna | Covers Biological Anthropology in detail with diagrams | Paper 1 |
| G.S Katic Books Vol. 1,2,3 | G.S Katic | Covers the entire syllabus | Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
Book Features and Benefits
Physical Anthropology – P. Nath
- Why This Book? It provides an in-depth explanation of human evolution, genetics, and biological variations, making it essential for Paper 1.
- Best Features:
- Covers fossil records, primatology, and genetics in detail.
- Rich with diagrams and illustrations.
- Recommended by toppers for its clarity.
Anthropology – Ember & Ember
- Why This Book? A globally recognized textbook that introduces anthropology with real-life examples.
- Best Features:
- Covers both social and physical anthropology.
- Case studies from different societies worldwide.
- Simple and easy-to-understand language.
An Introduction to Social Anthropology – D.N. Majumdar & T.N. Madan
- Why This Book? It provides a thorough understanding of social institutions and cultural anthropology.
- Best Features:
- Detailed coverage of kinship, marriage, and family systems.
- Comparative analysis of different societies.
- Frequently cited in UPSC answers.
Anthropology Simplified – Vivek Bhasme
- Why This Book? Ideal for quick revision and diagram-based learning.
- Best Features:
- Summarized content with bullet points.
- Contains flowcharts and diagrams for better retention.
- Helpful for structuring UPSC answers.
Indian Anthropology – Nadeem Hasnain
- Why This Book? It covers all aspects of Indian anthropology and tribal studies.
- Best Features:
- In-depth coverage of caste, tribes, and social changes.
- Analysis of constitutional provisions for Scheduled Tribes.
- Highly recommended for Paper 2.
Tribal India – Nadeem Hasnain
- Why This Book? It provides extensive knowledge about tribal communities in India.
- Best Features:
- Covers tribal livelihood, culture, and governance.
- Includes government policies and their impact.
- Essential for Paper 2 case studies.
History of Anthropological Thought – Upadhyay & Pandey
- Why This Book? It gives a historical perspective on the evolution of anthropology as a discipline.
- Best Features:
- Detailed study of different schools of anthropological thought.
- Discusses contributions of key anthropologists.
- Essential for Paper 1 theoretical framework.
Anthropological Theories – Makhan Jha
- Why This Book? This book simplifies difficult anthropological theories.
- Best Features:
- Clear and concise explanation of major theories.
- Comparisons between different theoretical frameworks.
- Useful for structuring answers.
Cultural Anthropology – Ember & Ember
- Why This Book? It provides a holistic view of cultural practices across different societies.
- Best Features:
- Well-structured chapters on kinship, rituals, and institutions.
- Case studies for better conceptual clarity.
- Good supplementary reading for both papers.
Toppers’ Recommendations
Several UPSC toppers have recommended these books, including:
- Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017): Suggested Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain and Physical Anthropology by P. Nath as must-read books.
- Lakshmi Nagappan: Shared her detailed booklist in PDFs, which we have included in this research.
Additional Resources
Apart from books, students should also utilize Anthroholic’s free articles, which are highly researched and written by Ph.D. scholars. These articles cover new developments in anthropology, case studies, and exam-oriented content, making them a valuable addition to your preparation.
Visit Anthroholic for free, high-quality anthropology articles!
Final Tips for Aspirants
- Stick to limited resources and revise multiple times.
- Use diagrams in answers to fetch extra marks.
- Refer to previous years’ questions to align preparation with UPSC demands.
- Use additional case studies and examples from Anthroholic & toppers’ notes.
This booklist will help you create a solid foundation and streamline your preparation for Anthropology Optional. Happy studying!
Suggested Articles
- UPSC Anthropology Optional Syllabus
- Anthropology Optional PYQs for UPSC
- Answer Writing for Anthropology Optional
- Is Anthropology the right Optional for You? Pros & Cons
References
[1] Anudeep durishetty https://anudeepdurishetty.in/anthropology-optional-my-booklist-and-strategy/
[2] IGNOU Self Learning Study Material https://egyankosh.ac.in/handle/123456789/1
[3] UPSC https://upsc.gov.in