Anthropology Chapter-wise PYQs (Paper- II) | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PAPER-II 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PAPER-II 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization — Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, 
Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic Chalcolithic). Protohistoric (Indus Civilization): 
PreHarappan, Harappan and post-Harappan cultures. Contributions of tribal cultures 
to Indian civilization.  
1. Discuss the characteristic features of Neolithic-culture in India. 20 M (2020)  
2. Discuss the Contributions of V.N.Misra to archaeological anthropology in India. 15 M 
(2020) 
3. Contributions of Robert Bruce Foote to Indian archaeology. 10 M (2020) 
4. Debates on Aryan invasion. 10 M (2020) 
5. Distribution of neolithic sites in India. 10 marks (2019)  
6. Describe the palaeolithic culture with special reference to Soanian tradition. Indicate 
the problems of describe the Indian palaeolithic 15+5=20 M (2019) 
7. What has been the contributions of tribal people to the Indian independence movement. 
15 marks 2019  
8. What kind of society may be reconstructed from the archaeological evidences of 
Harappan culture. 20 Marks 2019 
9. Examine the regional variations of Mesolithic cultures of India. 20 marks (2018) 
10. Explain the contribution of tribal cultures to Indian civilization. 20 marks(2018)  
11. Neolithic cultures of south India. 10m (2017)  
12. Describe the salient features of chalcolithic cultures of the deccan. 15m (2017)  
13. Describe various aspects of trade and religion of Harappan civilization.15m (2017)  
14. Give the detail appraisal of skeletal remains from chalcolithic culture of undivided 
Punjab. (2016)20M  
15. Short notes on Mesolithic findings from Belan valley.  10 M (2016)  
16. South Indian paleoliths (10Marks 2015)  
17. Prehistoric Rock art of central India. (10Marks 2015)  
18. Discuss the significance of Harappan civilization sites from India. (15Marks 2015) 
19. Neolithic cultures of NE India (10Marks 2014)  
20. Describe what is known of Harappan Religion. Have some of its elements continued 
into later Hinduism? Discuss. (20Marks 2014)  
21. Discuss salient features of Mesolithic culture in India with special reference to western 
India. (10Marks - 2013)  
22. Indian Paleolithic culture can neither be conceived chronologically homogenous nor as 
a uniform cultural phase. Discuss. (15Marks - 2013)  
23. Discuss the significance of study of religious centres to the understanding of Indian 
civilization. (20Marks - 2013)  
24. Soan culture. (12Marks - 2012) (30Marks - 2011)  
25. Paleolithic Art. (12Marks - 2012)  
26. Compare the salient features and distribution of the Middle Paleolithic and Upper 
Paleolithic cultures in India. Add a note on the tool traditions of the Upper Paleolithic 
period. (30Marks - 2012)  
27. Iron age in Gangetic region (15Marks - 2011)  
28. Describe the characteristic feature of Mesolithic cultures in India? (30Marks - 2011)  
29. Neolithic Culture in India (15 Marks - 2010) (S.N - 2007) (L.Q - 1992)  
30. Proto Neolithic (S.N - 1999)  
Page 3


    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PAPER-II 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization — Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, 
Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic Chalcolithic). Protohistoric (Indus Civilization): 
PreHarappan, Harappan and post-Harappan cultures. Contributions of tribal cultures 
to Indian civilization.  
1. Discuss the characteristic features of Neolithic-culture in India. 20 M (2020)  
2. Discuss the Contributions of V.N.Misra to archaeological anthropology in India. 15 M 
(2020) 
3. Contributions of Robert Bruce Foote to Indian archaeology. 10 M (2020) 
4. Debates on Aryan invasion. 10 M (2020) 
5. Distribution of neolithic sites in India. 10 marks (2019)  
6. Describe the palaeolithic culture with special reference to Soanian tradition. Indicate 
the problems of describe the Indian palaeolithic 15+5=20 M (2019) 
7. What has been the contributions of tribal people to the Indian independence movement. 
15 marks 2019  
8. What kind of society may be reconstructed from the archaeological evidences of 
Harappan culture. 20 Marks 2019 
9. Examine the regional variations of Mesolithic cultures of India. 20 marks (2018) 
10. Explain the contribution of tribal cultures to Indian civilization. 20 marks(2018)  
11. Neolithic cultures of south India. 10m (2017)  
12. Describe the salient features of chalcolithic cultures of the deccan. 15m (2017)  
13. Describe various aspects of trade and religion of Harappan civilization.15m (2017)  
14. Give the detail appraisal of skeletal remains from chalcolithic culture of undivided 
Punjab. (2016)20M  
15. Short notes on Mesolithic findings from Belan valley.  10 M (2016)  
16. South Indian paleoliths (10Marks 2015)  
17. Prehistoric Rock art of central India. (10Marks 2015)  
18. Discuss the significance of Harappan civilization sites from India. (15Marks 2015) 
19. Neolithic cultures of NE India (10Marks 2014)  
20. Describe what is known of Harappan Religion. Have some of its elements continued 
into later Hinduism? Discuss. (20Marks 2014)  
21. Discuss salient features of Mesolithic culture in India with special reference to western 
India. (10Marks - 2013)  
22. Indian Paleolithic culture can neither be conceived chronologically homogenous nor as 
a uniform cultural phase. Discuss. (15Marks - 2013)  
23. Discuss the significance of study of religious centres to the understanding of Indian 
civilization. (20Marks - 2013)  
24. Soan culture. (12Marks - 2012) (30Marks - 2011)  
25. Paleolithic Art. (12Marks - 2012)  
26. Compare the salient features and distribution of the Middle Paleolithic and Upper 
Paleolithic cultures in India. Add a note on the tool traditions of the Upper Paleolithic 
period. (30Marks - 2012)  
27. Iron age in Gangetic region (15Marks - 2011)  
28. Describe the characteristic feature of Mesolithic cultures in India? (30Marks - 2011)  
29. Neolithic Culture in India (15 Marks - 2010) (S.N - 2007) (L.Q - 1992)  
30. Proto Neolithic (S.N - 1999)  
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31. Urban Planning in Harappan Culture (15 Marks - 2010)  
32. Comment in detail on the socio-cultural life of the people of the Indus Valley 
Civilization (30 Marks- 2010)  
33. Examine Gorden Childe’s statement ‘Neolithic_Culture is a Revolution (15 Marks -
2010)  
34. Examine the contribution of Mesolithic culture to the rise of Neolithic culture (10 
Marks — 2009)  
35. ‘Langhnaj’ (S.N-2008)  
36. Burzahom (S.N - 2006) Mesolithic culture is India (S.N - 2005) 
37. Discuss the economic basis of Indus Valley Civilization. What were the factors of its 
decline? (LQ - 2005) (L.Q - 2000) (S.N - 1994)  
38. Typo-technology of Indian Paleolithic culture (S.N - 2004)  
39. Critically examine the contributions of tribal cultures to the development of Vedic 
Culture. (L.Q -2003)  
40. Name a few Chalcolithic sites in India and describe their most salient features. (LQ - 
2002)  
41. Ecological adaptation during Mesolithic. (S.N - 2001)   
42. Critically examine evidence of Upper Paleolithic in India, Discuss its characteristics. 
(L.Q - 2001)  
43. Critically examine various sources of India’s Culture & Civilization; also distinguish 
between primary and secondary civilizations (L.Q 1999)  
44. Sohanian Tradition (S.N - 1998)  
45. Describe the socio Cultural characteristics of the Neolithic period in India with suitable 
examples (L.Q - 1998)  
46. Components of culture and its link with civilization (S.N -1997)  
47. Neolithic tool typology and technology of fabrication (S.N - 1996)  
48. Discuss the Cultural characteristics of upper Paleolithic period. Indicate its genesis and 
development in Indian context pointing to Distribution and chronology (L.Q-1996)  
49. Genesis of Urbanization in India (S.N - 1995)  
50. Point out the salient features of middle Paleolithic industries and their markers. 
Illustrate your answer with examples from India.(L.Q.1994)  
51. To what extent could the Mesolithic culture be attributed to a phase of transition 
between Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures? Illustrate the answer with apt examples. 
(L.Q. 1993)  
52. What are the important features of Indus valley civilization? Examine the conditions 
that may have led to urbanization in the lndus Region. (L.Q - 1990)  
53. Indus Valley Civilization is regarded as the beginning of urban life in India. Discuss 
(S.N - 1989) 
1.2 Palaeo – Anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and 
Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus & Narmada Man).  
1. Narmada man. 10 M (2020) 
2. Phylogenetic position and morphological features of Ramapithecus. 10M 2019 
3. Describe the salient features of Sivapithecus. 15 marks(2018)  
4. Discuss the salient features of Ramapithecus.15m (2017)  
Page 4


    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PAPER-II 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization — Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, 
Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic Chalcolithic). Protohistoric (Indus Civilization): 
PreHarappan, Harappan and post-Harappan cultures. Contributions of tribal cultures 
to Indian civilization.  
1. Discuss the characteristic features of Neolithic-culture in India. 20 M (2020)  
2. Discuss the Contributions of V.N.Misra to archaeological anthropology in India. 15 M 
(2020) 
3. Contributions of Robert Bruce Foote to Indian archaeology. 10 M (2020) 
4. Debates on Aryan invasion. 10 M (2020) 
5. Distribution of neolithic sites in India. 10 marks (2019)  
6. Describe the palaeolithic culture with special reference to Soanian tradition. Indicate 
the problems of describe the Indian palaeolithic 15+5=20 M (2019) 
7. What has been the contributions of tribal people to the Indian independence movement. 
15 marks 2019  
8. What kind of society may be reconstructed from the archaeological evidences of 
Harappan culture. 20 Marks 2019 
9. Examine the regional variations of Mesolithic cultures of India. 20 marks (2018) 
10. Explain the contribution of tribal cultures to Indian civilization. 20 marks(2018)  
11. Neolithic cultures of south India. 10m (2017)  
12. Describe the salient features of chalcolithic cultures of the deccan. 15m (2017)  
13. Describe various aspects of trade and religion of Harappan civilization.15m (2017)  
14. Give the detail appraisal of skeletal remains from chalcolithic culture of undivided 
Punjab. (2016)20M  
15. Short notes on Mesolithic findings from Belan valley.  10 M (2016)  
16. South Indian paleoliths (10Marks 2015)  
17. Prehistoric Rock art of central India. (10Marks 2015)  
18. Discuss the significance of Harappan civilization sites from India. (15Marks 2015) 
19. Neolithic cultures of NE India (10Marks 2014)  
20. Describe what is known of Harappan Religion. Have some of its elements continued 
into later Hinduism? Discuss. (20Marks 2014)  
21. Discuss salient features of Mesolithic culture in India with special reference to western 
India. (10Marks - 2013)  
22. Indian Paleolithic culture can neither be conceived chronologically homogenous nor as 
a uniform cultural phase. Discuss. (15Marks - 2013)  
23. Discuss the significance of study of religious centres to the understanding of Indian 
civilization. (20Marks - 2013)  
24. Soan culture. (12Marks - 2012) (30Marks - 2011)  
25. Paleolithic Art. (12Marks - 2012)  
26. Compare the salient features and distribution of the Middle Paleolithic and Upper 
Paleolithic cultures in India. Add a note on the tool traditions of the Upper Paleolithic 
period. (30Marks - 2012)  
27. Iron age in Gangetic region (15Marks - 2011)  
28. Describe the characteristic feature of Mesolithic cultures in India? (30Marks - 2011)  
29. Neolithic Culture in India (15 Marks - 2010) (S.N - 2007) (L.Q - 1992)  
30. Proto Neolithic (S.N - 1999)  
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31. Urban Planning in Harappan Culture (15 Marks - 2010)  
32. Comment in detail on the socio-cultural life of the people of the Indus Valley 
Civilization (30 Marks- 2010)  
33. Examine Gorden Childe’s statement ‘Neolithic_Culture is a Revolution (15 Marks -
2010)  
34. Examine the contribution of Mesolithic culture to the rise of Neolithic culture (10 
Marks — 2009)  
35. ‘Langhnaj’ (S.N-2008)  
36. Burzahom (S.N - 2006) Mesolithic culture is India (S.N - 2005) 
37. Discuss the economic basis of Indus Valley Civilization. What were the factors of its 
decline? (LQ - 2005) (L.Q - 2000) (S.N - 1994)  
38. Typo-technology of Indian Paleolithic culture (S.N - 2004)  
39. Critically examine the contributions of tribal cultures to the development of Vedic 
Culture. (L.Q -2003)  
40. Name a few Chalcolithic sites in India and describe their most salient features. (LQ - 
2002)  
41. Ecological adaptation during Mesolithic. (S.N - 2001)   
42. Critically examine evidence of Upper Paleolithic in India, Discuss its characteristics. 
(L.Q - 2001)  
43. Critically examine various sources of India’s Culture & Civilization; also distinguish 
between primary and secondary civilizations (L.Q 1999)  
44. Sohanian Tradition (S.N - 1998)  
45. Describe the socio Cultural characteristics of the Neolithic period in India with suitable 
examples (L.Q - 1998)  
46. Components of culture and its link with civilization (S.N -1997)  
47. Neolithic tool typology and technology of fabrication (S.N - 1996)  
48. Discuss the Cultural characteristics of upper Paleolithic period. Indicate its genesis and 
development in Indian context pointing to Distribution and chronology (L.Q-1996)  
49. Genesis of Urbanization in India (S.N - 1995)  
50. Point out the salient features of middle Paleolithic industries and their markers. 
Illustrate your answer with examples from India.(L.Q.1994)  
51. To what extent could the Mesolithic culture be attributed to a phase of transition 
between Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures? Illustrate the answer with apt examples. 
(L.Q. 1993)  
52. What are the important features of Indus valley civilization? Examine the conditions 
that may have led to urbanization in the lndus Region. (L.Q - 1990)  
53. Indus Valley Civilization is regarded as the beginning of urban life in India. Discuss 
(S.N - 1989) 
1.2 Palaeo – Anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and 
Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus & Narmada Man).  
1. Narmada man. 10 M (2020) 
2. Phylogenetic position and morphological features of Ramapithecus. 10M 2019 
3. Describe the salient features of Sivapithecus. 15 marks(2018)  
4. Discuss the salient features of Ramapithecus.15m (2017)  
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Delineate the salient characteristics of ‘ Narmada man’ and examine its phylogentic 
significance.(2016)  
6. Describe the Paleoanthropological fossil finds from Siwalik Hills. Examine the 
contribution of Siwalik fossils to paleoanthropological knowledge. (15Marks 2015)  
7. Describe the evolutionary significance of the fossil finds of the Narmada Basin. 
(15Marks 2014)  
8. Examine the debates related to Ramapithecus. (10Marks - 2013)  
9. Narmada Man. (12Marks - 2012)  
10. Sivapithecus (15 Marks - 2010)  
11. Importance of Siwaliks in Anthropology (20 Marks — 2009)  
12. Paleoanthroplogical significance of Narmada Man (S.N - 2008)  
13. Home erectus narmadensis (S.N - 1993)  
1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India: The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and 
Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral & peasant communities Including 
arts and crafts producing communities. 
1) Discuss the importance of ethnoarchaeology in reconstructing the past citing Indian 
examples. 15 M (2020) 
2) Ethnoarhaeological analysis of hunting activities of contemporary tribal communities. 
10M (2019) 
3) Ethno-archaeology as a research strategy. 10 M (2018)  
4) Write short notes on Ethno-archaeology. 10m (2017)  
5) Discuss the relevance of art and craft traditions in the understanding of Indian 
archaeology. 15m (2017)  
6) Ethno archaeological evidencesfor the survival of hunting-gathering traditions. (2016)  
7) Discuss the importance of the ethno-archaeological approach to the study of indigenous 
craft in India. (15Marks 2014)  
8) Colonial Ethnography. (12Marks - 2012)  
9) New Archaeology (20 Marks — 2009)  
10) Concept Ethno Archeology (S.N - 2008)  
2. Demographic profile of India: Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population 
and their distribution. Indian population – factors influencing its structure & growth.  
1. Dravidian languages. 10 M (2020) 
2. Distribution of Tibeto-Burman group of languages in India. 10 M 2019 
3. What are the various factors influencing population growth in India? Discuss. 15 marks 
(2018)  
4. Write a shrort notes on Endangered Languages. 10 M (2018)  
5. Write short notes on Austro-Asiatic linguistic groups in India. 10m (2017)  
6. Give your assessment of the reason for the imbalance in the sex-ratio in India. 20m 
(2017)  
7. Short notes on linguistic elements in Indian population. 10 M (2016)  
8. Briefly describe the classical model of ethnic and linguistic classifications of Indian 
population. Discuss its relevance today. (15Marks 2015)  
Page 5


    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PAPER-II 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization — Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, 
Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic Chalcolithic). Protohistoric (Indus Civilization): 
PreHarappan, Harappan and post-Harappan cultures. Contributions of tribal cultures 
to Indian civilization.  
1. Discuss the characteristic features of Neolithic-culture in India. 20 M (2020)  
2. Discuss the Contributions of V.N.Misra to archaeological anthropology in India. 15 M 
(2020) 
3. Contributions of Robert Bruce Foote to Indian archaeology. 10 M (2020) 
4. Debates on Aryan invasion. 10 M (2020) 
5. Distribution of neolithic sites in India. 10 marks (2019)  
6. Describe the palaeolithic culture with special reference to Soanian tradition. Indicate 
the problems of describe the Indian palaeolithic 15+5=20 M (2019) 
7. What has been the contributions of tribal people to the Indian independence movement. 
15 marks 2019  
8. What kind of society may be reconstructed from the archaeological evidences of 
Harappan culture. 20 Marks 2019 
9. Examine the regional variations of Mesolithic cultures of India. 20 marks (2018) 
10. Explain the contribution of tribal cultures to Indian civilization. 20 marks(2018)  
11. Neolithic cultures of south India. 10m (2017)  
12. Describe the salient features of chalcolithic cultures of the deccan. 15m (2017)  
13. Describe various aspects of trade and religion of Harappan civilization.15m (2017)  
14. Give the detail appraisal of skeletal remains from chalcolithic culture of undivided 
Punjab. (2016)20M  
15. Short notes on Mesolithic findings from Belan valley.  10 M (2016)  
16. South Indian paleoliths (10Marks 2015)  
17. Prehistoric Rock art of central India. (10Marks 2015)  
18. Discuss the significance of Harappan civilization sites from India. (15Marks 2015) 
19. Neolithic cultures of NE India (10Marks 2014)  
20. Describe what is known of Harappan Religion. Have some of its elements continued 
into later Hinduism? Discuss. (20Marks 2014)  
21. Discuss salient features of Mesolithic culture in India with special reference to western 
India. (10Marks - 2013)  
22. Indian Paleolithic culture can neither be conceived chronologically homogenous nor as 
a uniform cultural phase. Discuss. (15Marks - 2013)  
23. Discuss the significance of study of religious centres to the understanding of Indian 
civilization. (20Marks - 2013)  
24. Soan culture. (12Marks - 2012) (30Marks - 2011)  
25. Paleolithic Art. (12Marks - 2012)  
26. Compare the salient features and distribution of the Middle Paleolithic and Upper 
Paleolithic cultures in India. Add a note on the tool traditions of the Upper Paleolithic 
period. (30Marks - 2012)  
27. Iron age in Gangetic region (15Marks - 2011)  
28. Describe the characteristic feature of Mesolithic cultures in India? (30Marks - 2011)  
29. Neolithic Culture in India (15 Marks - 2010) (S.N - 2007) (L.Q - 1992)  
30. Proto Neolithic (S.N - 1999)  
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31. Urban Planning in Harappan Culture (15 Marks - 2010)  
32. Comment in detail on the socio-cultural life of the people of the Indus Valley 
Civilization (30 Marks- 2010)  
33. Examine Gorden Childe’s statement ‘Neolithic_Culture is a Revolution (15 Marks -
2010)  
34. Examine the contribution of Mesolithic culture to the rise of Neolithic culture (10 
Marks — 2009)  
35. ‘Langhnaj’ (S.N-2008)  
36. Burzahom (S.N - 2006) Mesolithic culture is India (S.N - 2005) 
37. Discuss the economic basis of Indus Valley Civilization. What were the factors of its 
decline? (LQ - 2005) (L.Q - 2000) (S.N - 1994)  
38. Typo-technology of Indian Paleolithic culture (S.N - 2004)  
39. Critically examine the contributions of tribal cultures to the development of Vedic 
Culture. (L.Q -2003)  
40. Name a few Chalcolithic sites in India and describe their most salient features. (LQ - 
2002)  
41. Ecological adaptation during Mesolithic. (S.N - 2001)   
42. Critically examine evidence of Upper Paleolithic in India, Discuss its characteristics. 
(L.Q - 2001)  
43. Critically examine various sources of India’s Culture & Civilization; also distinguish 
between primary and secondary civilizations (L.Q 1999)  
44. Sohanian Tradition (S.N - 1998)  
45. Describe the socio Cultural characteristics of the Neolithic period in India with suitable 
examples (L.Q - 1998)  
46. Components of culture and its link with civilization (S.N -1997)  
47. Neolithic tool typology and technology of fabrication (S.N - 1996)  
48. Discuss the Cultural characteristics of upper Paleolithic period. Indicate its genesis and 
development in Indian context pointing to Distribution and chronology (L.Q-1996)  
49. Genesis of Urbanization in India (S.N - 1995)  
50. Point out the salient features of middle Paleolithic industries and their markers. 
Illustrate your answer with examples from India.(L.Q.1994)  
51. To what extent could the Mesolithic culture be attributed to a phase of transition 
between Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures? Illustrate the answer with apt examples. 
(L.Q. 1993)  
52. What are the important features of Indus valley civilization? Examine the conditions 
that may have led to urbanization in the lndus Region. (L.Q - 1990)  
53. Indus Valley Civilization is regarded as the beginning of urban life in India. Discuss 
(S.N - 1989) 
1.2 Palaeo – Anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and 
Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus & Narmada Man).  
1. Narmada man. 10 M (2020) 
2. Phylogenetic position and morphological features of Ramapithecus. 10M 2019 
3. Describe the salient features of Sivapithecus. 15 marks(2018)  
4. Discuss the salient features of Ramapithecus.15m (2017)  
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Delineate the salient characteristics of ‘ Narmada man’ and examine its phylogentic 
significance.(2016)  
6. Describe the Paleoanthropological fossil finds from Siwalik Hills. Examine the 
contribution of Siwalik fossils to paleoanthropological knowledge. (15Marks 2015)  
7. Describe the evolutionary significance of the fossil finds of the Narmada Basin. 
(15Marks 2014)  
8. Examine the debates related to Ramapithecus. (10Marks - 2013)  
9. Narmada Man. (12Marks - 2012)  
10. Sivapithecus (15 Marks - 2010)  
11. Importance of Siwaliks in Anthropology (20 Marks — 2009)  
12. Paleoanthroplogical significance of Narmada Man (S.N - 2008)  
13. Home erectus narmadensis (S.N - 1993)  
1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India: The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and 
Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral & peasant communities Including 
arts and crafts producing communities. 
1) Discuss the importance of ethnoarchaeology in reconstructing the past citing Indian 
examples. 15 M (2020) 
2) Ethnoarhaeological analysis of hunting activities of contemporary tribal communities. 
10M (2019) 
3) Ethno-archaeology as a research strategy. 10 M (2018)  
4) Write short notes on Ethno-archaeology. 10m (2017)  
5) Discuss the relevance of art and craft traditions in the understanding of Indian 
archaeology. 15m (2017)  
6) Ethno archaeological evidencesfor the survival of hunting-gathering traditions. (2016)  
7) Discuss the importance of the ethno-archaeological approach to the study of indigenous 
craft in India. (15Marks 2014)  
8) Colonial Ethnography. (12Marks - 2012)  
9) New Archaeology (20 Marks — 2009)  
10) Concept Ethno Archeology (S.N - 2008)  
2. Demographic profile of India: Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population 
and their distribution. Indian population – factors influencing its structure & growth.  
1. Dravidian languages. 10 M (2020) 
2. Distribution of Tibeto-Burman group of languages in India. 10 M 2019 
3. What are the various factors influencing population growth in India? Discuss. 15 marks 
(2018)  
4. Write a shrort notes on Endangered Languages. 10 M (2018)  
5. Write short notes on Austro-Asiatic linguistic groups in India. 10m (2017)  
6. Give your assessment of the reason for the imbalance in the sex-ratio in India. 20m 
(2017)  
7. Short notes on linguistic elements in Indian population. 10 M (2016)  
8. Briefly describe the classical model of ethnic and linguistic classifications of Indian 
population. Discuss its relevance today. (15Marks 2015)  
    
UPSC (CSM) ANTHROPOLOGY- TOPICWISE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Outline the distribution of Dravidian languages in India and describe their cultural 
significance. (15Marks 2014) (S.N - 1990)  
10. Major linguistic divisions of India (10Marks 2014)  
11. Contribution of H. H. Risley to the ‘Aryan’ debate (10Marks 2014)  
12. Negrito Elements in India (S.N - 2000)  
13. Controversy over the existence of Negrito racial strain in Indian population. (S.N - 
1992)  
14. Describe the linguistic elements in Indian population? (15Marks - 2011)  
15. Critically examine the factors responsible for the high population growth in India and 
suggest suitable measures for population Control. (30 + 15 Marks —2010)  
16. Discuss the relevance of Guha’s racial classification in the context of India’s ethnic 
groups. (15 Marks — 2010) (S.N - 1991)  
17. Mediterranean element in Indian Population (S.N - 2008)  
18. The distribution of Indo-Aryan Languages (S.N - 2008)  
19. Is Risley’s Racial Classification of Indian Population valid? Critically discuss with the 
help of suitable examples. (L.Q - 2008)  
20. Describe Ethnic elements in the Indian Population focusing either on Risley’s or Guha’s 
classification. (L.Q - 2007)  
21. Write in brief about the population growth of India, indicating its causes and measures 
of its control. (L.Q - 2006)  
22. Demographic transition in India (SN - 2004)  
23. Bring out the inter relationship between population growth and development in the 
Indian context. (L.Q - 2004)  
24. Age specific and sex specific mortality rates and dependant factors. (S.N 2002)  
25. Discuss the major linguistic divisions in the India population. Also point out the role of 
language in ethno political movements (S.N – 1996)  
26. Social implications of sex ratio in Indian population (SN 1995)  
27. What are the major linguistic families in India? Identify such families showing the 
geographical distribution and the population Groups under different families. (L.Q - 
1993)  
28. Distribution of Austric family of languages in India. (S.N -1989) 
3.1 The structure and nature of traditional Indian Social System: Varnashram, 
Purushartha, Karma, Rina & Rebirth. 
1) Use of karma and rebirth in justifying the varna system. 10 M 2019. 
2) Philosophy behind Purusharthas. 10 M (2018)  
3) Write short notes on varnashram and concept of rina.10m (2018)  
4) Youth Dormitory. (12Marks - 2012)  
5) Philosophy behind Purushartha (15Marks - 2011)  
6) Purusharthas (S.N 2007)  
7) Significance of Purushartha (SN - 2003) Karma (S.N - 2006)  
8) Concept of Karma in relation to caste (S.N -2000)  
9) Importance of Karma in Hindu Social System (S.N - 1996)  
10) Varnashrama (S.N - 2005) Concept of Rina and Rebirth (S.N - 2002) (S.N - 1997)