Anthropology for UPSC Optional

Anthropology is a social science that deals with the study of human beings, their culture, society, and behavior. It is a popular optional subject in the UPSC examination. In this article, we will discuss the various topics covered in anthropology for UPSC optional.

1. Introduction to Anthropology: It covers the basic concepts and principles of anthropology, its relevance, and scope.

2. Biological Anthropology: It deals with the study of human evolution, genetics, human variation, primatology, and forensic anthropology.

3. Social Anthropology: It covers the study of social institutions, kinship, marriage, family, caste, religion, and political organization.

4. Cultural Anthropology: It includes the study of human cultures, customs, traditions, folklore, art, and language.

5. Applied Anthropology: It deals with the application of anthropological knowledge and methods in solving practical problems in various fields like development, health, education, and conservation.

6. Anthropological Theories: It covers the various theoretical perspectives and approaches in anthropology like functionalism, structuralism, cultural evolution, and post-modernism.

7. Research Methods: It includes the various research methods used in anthropology like ethnography, participant observation, interviews, and surveys.

8. Anthropology and Contemporary Issues: It covers the application of anthropology in addressing contemporary issues like globalization, migration, gender, identity, and environmental sustainability.

In conclusion, anthropology is a multidisciplinary subject that offers a comprehensive understanding of human beings, their behavior, and culture. It is a popular optional subject in the UPSC examination and covers a wide range of topics. A thorough understanding of the subject can help the aspirants in cracking the UPSC examination.