UPSC Optional Course
By Dr. Arjun Bopanna (MBBS, PGDMLE, M.A. Anthropology)
Starts on
23rd July 2026
Class Timings
7:30 am - 10 am
Mode
Offline + Online (with recordings)
Fee
Rs. 35000/- incl. taxes
Early Bird Offer: 10% discount ( Rs. 31,500/- incl. taxes ) till 20th July 2026
Course Valid till Mains 2027
• 100 Classes (2.5 hrs each)
• 7-Volume Course Material (PDF)
• Comprehensive coverage of the entire syllabus
• Regular Handouts & Notes
• 6 Sectional + 2 Full-Length Tests with synopsis
• Recorded Videos available for full duration
• Compact syllabus → easy to cover & revise
• High scoring subject with GS & Essay overlap
• Structured teaching → makes Anthropology simple & exam-focused
• Dr Arjun Bopanna with 10+ years of teaching & 100+ UPSC selections
Watch Orientation Session
Course Starts on 23rd July 2026 .
Fee: Rs. 35000/- incl. taxes
Early Bird Offer: 10% discount till 20th July 2026
Mode : Online & Offline(Bengaluru)
Course Valid till Mains 2027
Anthropology is the systematic study of human beings across time and space. It examines humans from both biological and socio-cultural perspectives, covering human evolution, genetics, society, culture, language, prehistoric communities and contemporary populations.
Unlike subjects that study only one aspect of human life, Anthropology adopts a holistic approach. It studies:
Anthropology is therefore positioned at the intersection of the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. Academic definitions similarly describe it as the systematic study of humanity, including human evolution and diverse forms of social existence.
Anthropology is one of the optional subjects available in the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination.
A candidate choosing Anthropology has to write two descriptive papers:
| Paper | Subject orientation | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology Paper I | General Anthropology | 250 marks | 3 hours |
| Anthropology Paper II | Indian Anthropology | 250 marks | 3 hours |
| Total | 500 marks | 6 hours |
Note : The marks obtained in both optional papers are included in the candidate’s written merit score.
The subject can broadly be divided into three major areas:
It also includes archaeological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, research methods, anthropological theories and applied anthropology.
Candidates from any academic background can choose Anthropology. It is suitable for students from:
A prior degree in Anthropology is not required.
Yes. Although some portions of Biological Anthropology include evolution, genetics and human biology, these topics are taught from the basics.
Students from humanities, commerce and other non-science backgrounds can prepare effectively through conceptual learning, diagrams, repeated revision and structured guidance.
A large part of Anthropology is static because its core concepts, theories, thinkers, biological principles and foundational topics do not change frequently.
Current examples are still useful, especially in areas such as:
Therefore, current affairs play a supporting role rather than dominating the preparation.
es. Anthropology can support preparation for topics related to:
Its concepts and examples can also be used in Essay and Ethics answers.
Paper I: General Anthropology
| Unit | Topic | Key Areas Covered |
| 1 | Introduction to Anthropology | Meaning, scope and development; relationship with Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Earth Sciences and Humanities |
| 2 | Branches of Anthropology | Social-Cultural, Biological, Archaeological and Linguistic Anthropology |
| 3 | Human Evolution | Theories of evolution; biological and cultural evolution; emergence of humans |
| 4 | Primatology | Primate characteristics, taxonomy, adaptations, behaviour, fossil primates and comparative anatomy |
| 5 | Fossil Hominids | Australopithecines, Homo erectus, Neanderthals, Rhodesian Man and early Homo sapiens |
| 6 | Biological Basis of Life | Cell, DNA, genes, chromosomes, mutation, protein synthesis and cell division |
| 7 | Prehistoric Archaeology | Archaeological principles; relative and absolute dating; Palaeolithic to Iron Age cultures |
| 8 | Culture and Society | Culture, civilisation, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, society, social groups and stratification |
| 9 | Marriage, Family and Kinship | Types and rules of marriage; family forms; descent, alliance and kinship terminology |
| 10 | Economic Organisation | Production, distribution, exchange, reciprocity, redistribution, markets and subsistence systems |
| 11 | Political Organisation | Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; power, authority, legitimacy, law and social control |
| 12 | Religion | Anthropological approaches; animism, totemism, myths, rituals, magic, science and religious functionaries |
| 13 | Anthropological Theories | Evolutionism, Diffusionism, Functionalism, Structuralism, Culture and Personality, Neo-Evolutionism and Postmodernism |
| 14 | Language and Communication | Origin and nature of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social use of language |
| 15 | Research Methods | Fieldwork, observation, interviews, questionnaires, case studies, genealogy, life history and data analysis |
| 16 | Human Genetics | Mendelian genetics, pedigree and twin studies, population genetics and DNA technology |
| 17 | Chromosomal Disorders | Numerical and structural aberrations; Klinefelter, Turner, Down, Patau and Edwards syndromes |
| 18 | Race and Human Variation | Race, racism, biological variation, racial classification and genetic markers |
| 19 | Ecological Anthropology | Biocultural adaptation to heat, cold, high altitude and environmental stress |
| 20 | Epidemiological Anthropology | Health, disease, infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies |
| 21 | Growth and Development | Prenatal growth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, maturity, ageing and longevity |
| 22 | Fertility and Demography | Menarche, menopause, fertility, fecundity, natality, mortality and demographic theories |
| 23 | Applied Anthropology | Forensics, nutrition, sports, genetics, personal identification, counselling and equipment design |
Paper II: Indian Anthropology
| Unit | Topic | Key Areas Covered |
| 1 | Evolution of Indian Culture | Prehistoric India; Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultures |
| 2 | Indus Civilisation | Harappan, pre-Harappan and post-Harappan cultures |
| 3 | Palaeoanthropology in India | Siwalik fossils, Narmada Man, Ramapithecus and Sivapithecus |
| 4 | Ethnoarchaeology | Study of contemporary hunting, fishing, pastoral, agricultural and craft communities |
| 5 | Indian Population | Ethnic, linguistic, demographic, biological and cultural diversity |
| 6 | Traditional Indian Social System | Varna, Ashrama, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and rebirth |
| 7 | Caste System | Origin, structure, dominant caste, caste mobility, change and the Jajmani system |
| 8 | Religious Influence | Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society |
| 9 | Anthropology in India | Development of Anthropology and contributions of Indian anthropologists |
| 10 | Indian Villages | Village studies, social organisation and changing rural structures |
| 11 | Social Change | Sanskritisation, Westernisation, Modernisation, Little and Great Traditions |
| 12 | Panchayati Raj | Local governance, rural transformation and democratic institutions |
| 13 | Minorities | Social, political and economic conditions of religious and linguistic minorities |
| 14 | Tribal Distribution | Geographical, linguistic, biological and socio-economic characteristics of tribes |
| 15 | Tribe and Caste | Definition of tribe, tribe-caste distinction and classification issues |
| 16 | Tribal Problems | Poverty, illiteracy, indebtedness, land alienation, unemployment, health and nutrition |
| 17 | Development and Displacement | Dams, industries, forest policies, urbanisation, rehabilitation and resettlement |
| 18 | Tribal Movements | Ethnicity, autonomy movements, tribal unrest and identity politics |
| 19 | Constitutional Safeguards | Provisions and welfare measures for Scheduled Tribes and other vulnerable groups |
| 20 | Tribal Administration | Policies, development plans, welfare programmes and administrative approaches |
| 21 | Applied Indian Anthropology | Role of Anthropology in tribal development, rural development and public policy |
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