However, I can offer some general information and guidance on anthropology as an optional subject. If you have any specific questions or need assistance with certain topics, please feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to help you.

Anthropology is a social science discipline that focuses on the study of human societies, cultures, and their development over time. It covers a wide range of topics, including human evolution, social organization, kinship systems, economic systems, religion, language, and more.

To prepare for the anthropology optional in the civil services examination or any other competitive exam, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the key concepts, theories, and thinkers in the field. Some important areas to focus on may include:

1. Physical/Biological Anthropology: This branch of anthropology deals with the study of human evolution, human genetics, primatology, and human biological variations. Topics such as human evolution theories, primate behavior, genetics, and human adaptation to different environments are crucial here.

2. Socio-cultural Anthropology: This branch focuses on the study of human societies, their cultural practices, social institutions, and social change. Important topics to cover include kinship systems, marriage, family, social organization, political systems, economic systems, religion, and rituals.

3. Archaeological Anthropology: This branch deals with the study of human cultures through their material remains. It includes topics like archaeological methods and techniques, excavation, dating methods, cultural evolution, and the interpretation of archaeological findings.

4. Linguistic Anthropology: This branch examines the role of language in human societies, including language structure, variations, and the relationship between language and culture. Topics such as language families, language change, language acquisition, and sociolinguistics are important here.

It is crucial to have a deep understanding of the theories and perspectives within each subfield of anthropology. Additionally, reading and analyzing case studies, ethnographic accounts, and research papers can help you develop a broader perspective on different cultural contexts and anthropological approaches.

Make sure to refer to standard textbooks and academic resources for anthropology, such as:

- "An Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology" by Nigel Rapport and Joanna Overing.
- "Cultural Anthropology: A Toolkit for a Global Age" by Kenneth J. Guest.
- "Physical Anthropology" by P. Nath and S. Nath.
- "Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice" by Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn.
- "Language and Linguistic Anthropology" by Alessandro Duranti.

Furthermore, solving previous years' question papers and practicing answer writing can immensely help you prepare for the exam. It is also advisable to join anthropology optional test series or coaching programs, if available, to get expert guidance and feedback on your preparation.

Remember, anthropology is a vast and interdisciplinary subject, so it's important to allocate enough time for studying and revision. Good luck with your preparation!