Mock Test Paper - 3 (Anthropology Optional Paper- I): Questions | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Time Allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 250

Instructions:

1. There are EIGHT questions divided into two Sections (A and B).

2. Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

3. Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory. Out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

4. The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

5. Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate, clearly stated on the cover of the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet.

6. Word limits in questions (10 marks: 150–170 words; 15 marks: 200–250 words; 20 marks: 300–350 words) must be adhered to.

7. Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, an attempt will be counted even if partly answered. Blank pages in the QCA Booklet must be clearly struck off.

Section-A

Q1. Write notes on the following in about 150 words each: (10 × 5 = 50)
(a) Anthropological perspectives on climate change adaptation
(b) Mesolithic rock art in Indian subcontinent (PYQ)
(c) Role of rituals in social cohesion
(d) Genetic markers in tracing human migration
(e) Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) (PYQ)

Q2. 
(a) Discuss the significance of primate studies in understanding human social behavior, with reference to different forms of primate social organization. (20 marks)
(b) Examine the typo-technological challenges in the Indian Paleolithic industry, with reference to environmental hypotheses. (PYQ) (15 marks)
(c) Discuss the role of cultural relativism in anthropological research, with examples from 2024–2025. (15 marks)

Q3. 
(a) Critically evaluate the role of descent rules in shaping social structures in patrilineal societies, with suitable examples. (20 marks)
(b) Discuss the evidence of plant domestication in the Indian Neolithic period, with reference to major sites. (15 marks)
(c) Elucidate the concept of somatotyping and its applications in anthropology, referencing Heath and Carter’s method. (15 marks)

Q4. 
(a) Discuss the impact of colonialism on anthropological fieldwork traditions, with examples from 2024–2025. (20 marks)
(b) Differentiate between classic and progressive Neanderthals, discussing their place in human evolution. (PYQ) (15 marks)
(c) Describe the role of bioanthropology in studying human adaptation to high-altitude environments. (15 marks)

Section-B

Q5. Write notes on the following in about 150 words each: (10 × 5 = 50)
(a) Genetic imprinting in human diseases (PYQ)
(b) Anthropological approaches to studying digital identity
(c) Socio-cultural factors in mental health
(d) Role of oral traditions in cultural transmission
(e) Human factors in ergonomic design

Q6. 
(a) Critically examine the mechanisms of social control in stateless societies, with examples from 2024–2025. (20 marks)
(b) Discuss the reasons for the decline in age at menarche in human females, with a critical evaluation. (PYQ) (15 marks)
(c) Describe the applications of anthropological knowledge in designing tools for human use. (PYQ) (15 marks)

Q7. 
(a) Discuss the contributions of Leslie White, Julian Steward, and Marshall Sahlins to the theory of cultural evolution, with a critical assessment. (20 marks)
(b) Examine the role of evolutionary forces in shaping human genetic diversity. (15 marks)
(c) Discuss the socio-cultural factors influencing contemporary population growth in India, with examples from 2024–2025. (15 marks)

Q8. 
(a) Critically evaluate the relevance of demographic theories in addressing modern population challenges, with examples from 2024–2025. (20 marks)
(b) Differentiate between blood group systems and the HLA system, highlighting their anthropological significance. (15 marks)
(c) Discuss the impact of lifestyle diseases on Indian populations, with examples from 2024–2025. (15 marks)**