Anthropology Optional for UPSC: Syllabus, Trends, Optional Selection and Books

December 15, 2023

13 Minutes

Introduction

When a student makes up his mind and decides to pursue UPSC Civil Services preparation, among the most important questions is “How to Choose the Right Optional Subject for UPSC ?” Anthropology has been gaining popularity among students for several compelling reasons. In order to make an informed decision, it's essential to understand what Anthropology entails, assess its suitability as an optional subject, and strategize an effective approach for UPSC Mains preparation.

I will be dividing this guide into two parts. The first part will have 6 sections, covering key elements of the subject.

Anthropology Definition

Although several thinkers and researchers have given different definitions to the subject, I believe M Jacob and BT Stern’s definition of the discipline is the closest to the meaning. It says,“Anthropology is the study of the physical, social, and cultural development and behaviour of human beings since their appearance on earth.” (Source: NCERT)

Confused, right? Let me break this definition up for you to understand it better.

Physical Anthropology:

Physical anthropology is all about studying our bodies and how they've changed over time. It looks at things like where we came from, how our bodies are built, what makes us unique genetically, and how we've learned to live in different places. It's like exploring the story of our bodies and how they've adapted to the world around us.

For instance, if you were a physical anthropologist, you would study fossils, skeletal remains, and DNA to understand how humans have evolved over time.

Social Anthropology:

Social anthropology is like studying how people come together and live in groups. It looks at how these groups are organised, how people relate to each other, and the different systems and rules they follow. It's like understanding the ways people build their communities and how they interact within them.

The studies conducted by social anthropologists might include rituals, ceremonies, and social customs within a specific community to understand their social dynamics.

Cultural Anthropology:

Cultural anthropology is like exploring how different groups of people live. It looks at things like what they believe, how they talk, the things they do every day, and the traditions they follow. It's a way of trying to understand the unique and interesting ways that different societies live their lives.

As a cultural anthropologist, you might engage yourself in a community to observe and document their daily practices, folklore, and cultural expressions.

Behavioral Anthropology:

Behavioral anthropology is like watching and figuring out why people act the way they do, both on their own and as part of a group. It looks into the reasons behind their actions, like how they decide things, handle disagreements, or team up with others in a community.

A behavioral anthropologist's study might include how people make decisions, resolve conflicts, or form alliances within a community.

In simpler terms, anthropology helps us understand:

• Where humans come from (Physical Anthropology),
• How they live together in groups (Social Anthropology),
• What makes each group unique in terms of their beliefs and practices (Cultural Anthropology),
• Why people behave the way they do (Behavioral Anthropology).

It's like being a detective who wants to know everything about humans, a way of exploring and understanding all aspects of human life.

Trends of Anthropology as an Optional Subject in UPSC

UPSC used to release the success rates for different optional subjects in Civil Services Exam in their annual reports but after their 2021-22 report, they stopped publishing the success rates and kept the list limited to just the number of candidates that appeared. The last known data is from the CSE 2019. I’ll provide you a comparative analysis between Anthropology and four other optional subjects:

Timeline of Anthropology Success Rates across Years:

Data Source: Annual reports of UPSC

I tried to find the success rates for next year in the UPSC annual reports, but no luck. However, the existing data still helps in understanding how candidates perform in different optional subjects. Aspirants always wonder how knowing the success rate of a subject can be useful. Here's what it can tell them:

1. Scoring Potential: Some optional subjects historically have higher average scores than others. Opting for a subject with a higher success rate might increase your chances of scoring well in the optional paper, which can significantly impact your overall rank.
2. Competition Level: Subjects with lower success rates might be chosen by fewer candidates, potentially reducing the competition. However, this could also mean that there are fewer resources and guidance available for preparation.
3. Time and Effort: Choosing a subject with a higher success rate might save you time and effort, as you're likely to find more resources, study materials, and guidance from successful candidates.
4. Subject Interest vs. Success Rate: It's essential to strike a balance between choosing a subject you are genuinely interested in and considering its success rate. While a higher success rate is beneficial, a subject you find interesting and can study with dedication may lead to better results.
5. Availability of Study Materials: A subject with a higher success rate often has more comprehensive study materials and coaching options available, facilitating your preparation.

Who Should Take Anthropology Optional?

Consider choosing Anthropology as your optional subject if you:

• Find Human Societies Fascinating : If you're intrigued by how human societies work, evolve, and interact, you’ll find Anthropology interesting and easier to learn.
• Have a Background in Social Sciences : A background in Anthropology, sociology, or related fields can make studying this subject more accessible and easier to understand.
• Like Studying Cultures : Anthropology delves into diverse cultures and traditions, making it a good fit for those interested in understanding societal customs.
• Prefer Analytical Thinking : Anthropology requires a student to think analytically, so it's suitable for candidates who enjoy critically examining and evaluating theories.
• Value Interdisciplinary Learning : This subject requires you to combine aspects of history, sociology, and biology to study human evolution and cultures. Anthropology may be a suitable choice if you enjoy studying multiple subjects and amalgamating everything into concepts.

There’s no doubt that aspirants from a medical or humanities background associate more with the subject, there’s a growing trend of engineers going for anthropology. Being an engineer, who took Anthropology as my optional subject, I can explain how anthropology can be an interesting choice for engineers:

• Syllabus Length: Engineering optional subjects like Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering have huge and detailed syllabi, covering a wide range of mostly technical topics. In contrast, anthropology has a more focused and shorter syllabus.
• Overlapping Nature: Engineering optional subjects don't really overlap with any of the significant topics in General Studies exams. But if you're into anthropology, some parts match up. For example, knowing about genetic engineering helps in the Science and Technology section, and understanding culture in anthropology helps with Art and Culture in the exams. So, anthropology can give you a boost because it also covers things that show up in the GS part of the exam.
• Scoring Potential: Anthropology has a much higher scoring potential as compared to the Engineering subjects. For engineers seeking a subject with a relatively manageable syllabus and scoring potential, anthropology could be a suitable choice.
• Developing Diverse Perspectives: Engineers usually don't study societal and cultural issues in their education. But learning anthropology can change that. It gives a wider view of societal problems and diversity, and helps engineers develop a perspective. This helps engineers in their General Studies subjects and also during the interview and personality test in the UPSC exam. Anthropology is a smart choice for engineers who want to understand society better and do well in different parts of the UPSC exam.

Getting started with Anthropology as Optional

Before deciding on Anthropology as your optional subject, I’d recommend picking up a few interesting anthropology books and reading them. Try and read at least a half of it and see if you find it interesting. If you're still unsure, try another book and see how you feel after that. After two books, you'll probably have a better idea of whether Anthropology is the right choice for your UPSC optional subject. I’ll list a few anthropology books you can read before committing to the subject.

1. Think Like an Anthropologist by Matthew Engelke. (a must-read for students new to Anthropology)

2. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.

3. Tristes Tropiques by Claude Lévi-Strauss.

4. Exotic No More: Anthropology for the Contemporary World edited by Jeremy MacClancy

5. The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee

While choosing their optional subject, aspirants generally tend to refer to online articles and toppers’ talks to get an idea of the subjects. Although these sources may provide an overview of the subject and different perspectives as well, choosing your optional subject should come from within rather than through the influence of another person’s perspective.

Reading these books surely sounds like an impractical suggestion but if it's about choosing your optional subject for an exam in which you’ll dedicate yourself for years, it's not that big of a job to do. I recommend doing this for the subjects you’ve shortlisted to finalize on one.

Anthropology Optional Syllabus

While the Anthropology syllabus may not be as lengthy as some other optional subjects, it requires a thorough study. Additionally, it shares common ground with various General Studies subjects such as History, Geography, and Art & Culture.

Despite UPSC providing a syllabus for the exam, I'll break it down to offer you a simplified yet comprehensive understanding of the key areas.

Best Books for Anthropology

Additional Resources for the Exam

Conclusion

Anthropology can be an intriguing option for students seeking a good choice. It helps sharpen thinking skills and gives a special way to look at societal problems. So, choosing anthropology isn't just about a subject; it's about becoming a more rounded person, ready to handle real-world challenges with a better understanding, which is a must-have when it comes to UPSC.

However, when selecting a subject, I advise not relying solely on the advantages and public opinion. Do focused research. Follow your instincts. Follow your heart.

In the Anthropology Optional for UPSC (Part-II), I've explained the preparation strategy for the exam and the best coaching for anthropology optional.

Books Name :
1. Biology for Class XII
2. Anthropology for Class XI
3. Anthropology for Class XII

Resources :
1. University of Alabama website
2. IGNOU e-GyanKosh
3. Anthropology for UPSC