Is Anthropology the Right UPSC Optional for You? Pros, Cons & Strategy

Choosing the right optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is crucial, as it significantly impacts your overall score. Anthropology has emerged as a popular choice among aspirants due to its scientific approach, concise syllabus, and scoring potential. But is it the right fit for you? Let’s explore the subject in depth to help you make an informed decision.

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of human beings, their evolution, cultural diversity, and societal development. It is an interdisciplinary subject encompassing elements of biology, sociology, history, and archaeology. The subject is divided into four main branches:

1. Social-Cultural Anthropology – Study of human societies and cultures.
2. Physical/Biological Anthropology – Study of human evolution and genetics.
3. Archaeological Anthropology – Study of past human societies through material remains.
4. Linguistic Anthropology – Study of language and its impact on culture.

Who Should Choose Anthropology as an Optional?

Anthropology is a great choice for aspirants with:

• An interest in human evolution, society, and culture.
• A science or humanities background (it is friendly to both streams).
• The ability to grasp conceptual and theoretical frameworks.
• An inclination toward diagram-based answers, which fetch higher marks.

Syllabus Overview

One of the biggest advantages of Anthropology is its well-defined and concise syllabus. It covers:

• Human Evolution & Genetics
• Society, Kinship, and Religion
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Indian Anthropology & Tribal Issues

The syllabus is static, meaning fewer current affairs are required compared to subjects like Political Science or Public Administration. Additionally, many topics overlap with General Studies (GS) papers, particularly GS Paper I (History & Society) and GS Paper III (Science & Technology, Environment, and Tribal Issues). [4]

Anthropology Optional Pros and Cons

Pros of Choosing Anthropology

1. Scoring Subject:
   • Clear concepts and diagrams fetch higher marks.
   • Many toppers, like Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017), have scored well in Anthropology. [1]
2. Concise Syllabus:
   • Can be completed in 4-5 months with focused preparation.
   • Fewer updates required compared to dynamic subjects like Political Science.
3. Interdisciplinary Approach:
   • Covers aspects of biology, history, sociology, and environment, making it accessible to both science and humanities students.
4. Diagram-based Subject:
   • Effective use of flowcharts and diagrams improves answer presentation.
   • Easier to recall in the exam.
5. Limited Subjective Interpretation:
   • Unlike subjects like Philosophy or Political Science, Anthropology has clear-cut factual answers, reducing the scope for subjective marking.
6. Overlap with General Studies:
   • GS Paper I (Indian Society, Art & Culture, History)
   • GS Paper III (Science & Tech, Environment, Tribal Issues)
   • Essay Paper (Topics related to Tribal Welfare, Society, and Ethics)
7. Scoring Practical Paper:
   • Paper II focuses on Indian Anthropology, Tribal Issues, and Constitutional Provisions, which are relatively easy to master.

Cons of Choosing Anthropology

1. New Subject for Most Aspirants:
   • Unlike subjects like History or Political Science, which are part of school curriculums, Anthropology is new for most aspirants.
   • Requires dedicated effort to build foundational understanding.
2. Technical Terminology & Diagrams:
   • Paper I includes technical terms from genetics, evolution, and archaeology, requiring effort to memorize.
   • Diagrams are a must for scoring well, meaning artistic representation matters.
3. Limited Coaching Availability:
   • While online resources are growing, good offline coaching options are limited compared to other subjects like Public Administration.
4. Moderate Competition:
   • Anthropology is popular but not as widely taken as Public Administration or Geography, making answer-writing competition moderate but not negligible.

Strategy for Success in Anthropology

1. Master the Basics:

• Start with IGNOU material for basic understanding. [3]
• Read Ember & Ember’s Anthropology book for conceptual clarity. [2]

2. Use Diagrams Extensively:

• Practice drawing human evolution sequences, skull structures, and tribal maps.
• Diagrams enhance answer presentation and increase marks.

3. Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

• Analyze last 10 years’ question papers to identify trends.
• Frame model answers using standard sources.
• Download Anthropology Optional PYQs

4. Follow a Structured Study Plan:

• Month 1-2: Focus on Paper I (Conceptual & Theoretical Topics).
• Month 3-4: Paper II (Indian Anthropology, Tribal Issues, Case Studies).
• Month 5: Answer writing and revision with PYQs.

5. Use Case Studies & Tribal Examples:

• Incorporate Indian tribal case studies in answers.
• Mention examples like Santhal, Bhil, and Gond tribes when discussing Indian Anthropology.

Conclusion: Is Anthropology Right for You?

Anthropology is an excellent optional subject for aspirants who:

• Prefer a concise and scoring syllabus.
• Are comfortable with diagrams and factual-based answers.
• Have an interest in human evolution, society, and culture.
• Want overlap with GS Papers and an objective evaluation pattern.

However, if you struggle with scientific concepts, memorization of technical terms, or drawing diagrams, you might find it challenging.

Final Verdict:

• If you have a background in science or humanities, enjoy logical and interdisciplinary subjects, and want a scoring optional, Anthropology is a great choice.
• If you prefer purely theoretical subjects with no diagrams and a wider coaching ecosystem, you might consider Political Science, History, or Public Administration.

By following a structured approach, utilizing diagrams effectively, and practicing answer writing [5], you can maximize your marks and improve your chances of success in the UPSC Mains Examination.

Suggested Reading

• Anthropology Optional Complete Syllabus
• Answer Writing for Anthropology Optional
• Best Anthropology Optional Course for UPSC

References & Credits

[1] Anudeep, D. (2018, May 4). How to prepare Anthropology optional for UPSC? Medium. https://anudeepdurishetty.in/category/optional/anthropology/

[2] Ember, C. R., & Ember, M. (2015). Anthropology (14th ed.). Pearson.

[3] IGNOU. (n.d.). Anthropology study material. Indira Gandhi National Open University. Retrieved from http://www.egyankosh.ac.in

[4] UPSC. (2023). Anthropology optional syllabus for Civil Services Examination. Union Public Service Commission. Retrieved from https://upsc.gov.in

[5] AnswerWriting & Evaluation with AI https://answerwriting.com