When practicing previous year papers for the Anthropology optional in UPSC, it is important to decide whether to focus on Paper I or Paper II. Both papers are equally important, but it is essential to understand the differences and requirements of each paper before deciding where to allocate more practice time.


Paper I:
- Paper I of the Anthropology optional primarily focuses on the theoretical aspects of anthropology.
- It covers topics such as physical anthropology, social anthropology, and prehistoric archaeology.
- The questions in this paper require a deep understanding of concepts, theories, and their application.
- It tests the candidate's knowledge of key anthropological concepts, research methods, and the ability to critically analyze and interpret data.

Paper II:
- Paper II of the Anthropology optional primarily focuses on the applied aspects of anthropology.
- It covers topics such as human genetics, human evolution, and human ecology.
- The questions in this paper require the application of anthropological concepts to real-world scenarios and problems.
- It tests the candidate's ability to analyze and interpret data, propose solutions, and provide recommendations based on anthropological principles.


Consider your strengths:
- If you have a strong theoretical understanding of anthropological concepts and theories, you may choose to focus more on Paper I.
- If you have a good grasp of applying anthropological knowledge to real-world scenarios and problems, you may choose to focus more on Paper II.

Weightage of each paper:
- Analyze the previous year papers and determine the weightage of each paper in terms of the number of questions asked and the marks allocated.
- If one paper has a higher weightage, it may be beneficial to allocate more practice time to that paper.

Identify your weaknesses:
- Review your performance in previous mock tests or practice papers to identify areas where you struggle the most.
- Focus on practicing those specific topics or types of questions to improve your overall performance.


In conclusion, both Paper I and Paper II of the Anthropology optional are important and require equal attention during practice. However, based on individual strengths, the weightage of each paper, and identifying areas of improvement, candidates can allocate more practice time to either Paper I or Paper II. It is essential to strike a balance between theoretical understanding and the application of anthropological concepts to excel in both papers.