Syllabus for UPSC Anthropology Optional Subject:

The syllabus for the UPSC Anthropology optional subject is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject and covers a wide range of topics related to anthropology. The syllabus is divided into two papers - Paper I and Paper II.

Paper I:
1. Introduction: Nature and scope of anthropology, its relation with other social sciences, and its relevance in understanding human society.
2. Methods and Techniques: Ethnographic techniques, tools of data collection, and analysis.
3. Human Evolution and Human Genetics: Major trends in human evolution, theories of human evolution, and genetics.
4. Primatology and Paleoanthropology: Study of primates, their behavior, and their relevance in understanding human evolution.
5. Anthropological Theories: Classical and contemporary theories in anthropology, including functionalism, structuralism, and cultural materialism.
6. Demographic Anthropology: Study of population dynamics, fertility, mortality, migration, and their impact on society.
7. Physical Anthropology: Study of human biology, human variation, and adaptation.
8. Archaeological Anthropology: Study of archaeological methods, prehistoric cultures, and interpretation of archaeological data.
9. Social-Cultural Anthropology: Study of social institutions, kinship, marriage, political organization, economic systems, and religion.
10. Tribal and Peasant Societies: Study of tribal and peasant societies, their socio-economic organization, and cultural change.
11. Indigenous People and Ethnicity: Study of indigenous people, their rights, and issues related to ethnicity.
12. Applied Anthropology: Application of anthropological knowledge in solving contemporary social issues.

Paper II:
1. Indian Anthropology: Study of the tribal communities in India, their social, economic, and political organization.
2. Anthropology of Development: Study of development projects, their impact on tribal communities, and issues related to development.
3. Human Ecology: Study of the relationship between humans and their environment, including ecological anthropology and environmentalism.
4. Medical Anthropology: Study of the relationship between health, illness, and society, including traditional healing systems and medical pluralism.
5. Globalization and Social Change: Study of the impact of globalization on indigenous communities and social change.
6. Research Methodology: Various research methods in anthropology, including fieldwork, data collection, and analysis.
7. Anthropology and Contemporary Concerns: Study of contemporary issues such as gender, human rights, violence, and social movements.
8. Indian Anthropology: Study of the contributions of Indian anthropologists and their perspectives on anthropology.

The syllabus for the UPSC Anthropology optional subject provides a comprehensive understanding of the subject and equips candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze and interpret human societies and cultures.