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Sociology or Anthropology? Which is Better Optional UPSC Civil Services Examination?

Is Sociology a better optional than Anthropology, for UPSC civil services examination?

Selecting right optional subject for the UPSC IAS Mains is very important for an aspirant. However excellent you are in GS, optional paper can make or break your rank in UPSC CSE. Given the high weightage (nearly 30%: (500/1750)) of the optional subject in the Mains Examination, it becomes crucial to choose a high scoring optional.

Anthropology is over hyped optional and Sociology is most underrated.

Sociology is a Social science that studies social behavior or society, including its origins, development, organisation, networks, institutions along with the functioning of human society and social problems

Isn’t this easy? What you observe daily around you and what you read for GS has to be analysed from Society and thinker’s perspective, that’s all!

Anthropology is the study of peoples of the world, their evolutionary history, behavior, adaptation to different environments, and how they communicate and socialise with one another. It deals with both the biology aspect of humans as well as the social aspects.

So, if you don’t like Biology then Anthropology is not right choice.

1. Previous trends

The success rate of students with Sociology optional is also seen to be high with more than 2 in top 10 ranks of UPSC CSE and more than 10 in top hundred ranks in the rank list in the past years
Below table shows number of selections from each optional, in three years

Year/ Optional subject Sociology Anthropology
UPSC CSE 2017 137 85
UPSC CSE 2016 132 102
UPSC CSE 2015 173 95

2. “Sociology is more relatable than Anthropology”

  • Sociology paper 1 has 6 thinkers (and 3 of these 6 are of the same school Functionalism), anthropology paper 1 mentions 27 thinkers.
  • major advantage of sociology is that it gives you a good base for essay paper and answering generic questions. Sociology also aids in ethics paper and the interview stage
  • It has less science compared to anthropology making it more popular with humanities graduates. Anthropology is easy for students with Biology background, which makes it less popular among non-biology science students

3. Sociology and Anthropology Syllabus

Sociology Anthropology
Paper 1: Fundamentals of Sociology

 

A. Sociology – The Discipline:

1. Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of sociology.

2. Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.

3. Sociology and common sense.

 

B. Sociology as Science:

1. Science, scientific method and critique.

2. Major theoretical strands of research methodology.

3. Positivism and its critique.

4. Fact value and objectivity.

5. Non- positivist methodologies.

 

C. Research Methods and Analysis:

1. Qualitative and quantitative methods.

2. Techniques of data collection.

3. Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.

 

D. Sociological Thinkers:

1. Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle.

2. Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society.

3. Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.

4. Talcolt Parsons- Social system, pattern variables.

5. Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups

6. Mead – Self and identity.

 

E. Stratification and Mobility:

1. Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation

2. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.

3. Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.

4. Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.

 

F. Works and Economic Life:

1. Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist society.

2. Formal and informal organization of work

3. Labour and society.

 

G. Politics and Society:

1. Sociological theories of power

2. Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.

3. Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.

4. Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.

 

H. Religion and Society:

1. Sociological theories of religion.

2. Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.

3. Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.

 

I. Systems of Kinship:

1. Family, household, marriage.

2. Types and forms of family.

3. Lineage and descent

4. Patriarchy and sexual division of labour

5. Contemporary trends.

 

J. Social Change in Modern Society:

1. Sociological theories of social change.

2. Development and dependency.

3. Agents of social change.

4. Education and social change.

5. Science, technology and social change.

Paper 1

 

1.1 Meaning, scope and development of Anthropology.

 

1.2 Relationships with other disciplines: Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Earth Sciences and Humanities.

 

1.3 Main branches of Anthropology, theirscope and relevance:

(a) Social- cultural Anthropology.

(b) Biological Anthropology.

(c) Archaeological Anthropology.

(d) Linguistic Anthropology.

 

1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man:

(a) Biological and Cultural factors in human evolution.

(b) Theories of Organic Evolution (Pre- Darwinian, Darwinian and Post-Darwinian).

(c) Synthetic theory of evolution; Brief outline of terms and concepts of evolutionary biology (Doll’s rule, Cope’s rule, Gause’s rule, parallelism, convergence, adaptive radiation, and mosaic evolution).

 

1.5 Characteristics of Primates; Evolutionary Trend and Primate Taxonomy; Primate Adaptations; (Arboreal and Terrestrial) Primate Taxonomy; Primate Behaviour; Tertiary and Quaternary fossil primates; Living Major Primates; Comparative Anatomy of Man and Apes; Skeletal changes due to erect posture and its implications.

 

1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution of the following:

(a) Plio-pleistocene hominids in South and East Africa – Australopithecines.

(b) Homo erectus: Africa (Paranthropus), Europe (Homo erectus heidelbergensis), Asia (Homo erectus javanicus, Homo erectus pekinensis).

(c) Neanderthal Man- La-Chapelle-auxsaints (Classical type), Mt. Carmel (Progressive type).

(d) Rhodesian man.

(e) Homo sapiens — Cromagnon, Grimaldi and Chancelede.

 

1.7 The biological basis of life: The Cell, DNA structure and replication, Protein Synthesis, Gene, Mutation, Chromosomes, and Cell Division.

 

1.8  (a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology. Chronology: Relative and Absolute Dating methods.

(b) Cultural Evolution- Broad Outlines of Prehistoric cultures:

(i) Paleolithic

(ii) Mesolithic

(iii) Neolithic

(iv) Chalcolithic

(v) Copper-Bronze Age

(vi) Iron Age

 

2.1 The Nature of Culture: The concept and characteristics of culture and civilization; Ethnocentrism vis-à-vis cultural Relativism.

 

2.2 The Nature of Society: Concept of Society; Society and Culture; Social Institutions; Social groups; and Social stratification.

 

2.3 Marriage: Definition and universality; Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy, hypogamy, incest taboo); Types of marriage (monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, group marriage). Functions of marriage; Marriage regulations (preferential, prescriptive and proscriptive); Marriage payments (bride wealth and dowry).

 

2.4 Family: Definition and universality; Family, household and domestic groups; functions of family; Types of family (from the perspectives of structure, blood relation, marriage, residence and succession); Impact of urbanization, industrialization and feminist movements on family.

 

2.5 Kinship: Consanguinity and Affinity; Principles and types of descent (Unilineal, Double, Bilateral, Ambilineal); Forms of descent groups (lineage, clan, phratry, moiety and kindred); Kinship terminology (descriptive and classificatory); Descent, Filiation and Complimentary Filiation; Descent and Alliance.

 

3. Economic organization: Meaning, scope and relevance of economic anthropology; Formalist and Substantivist debate; Principles governing production, distribution and exchange (reciprocity, redistribution and market), in communities, subsisting on hunting and gathering, fishing, swiddening, pastoralism, horticulture, and agriculture; globalization and indigenous economic systems.

 

4. Political organization and Social Control: Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; concepts of power, authority and legitimacy; social control, law and justice in simple societies.

 

5. Religion: Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in tribal and peasant societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and science distinguished; magicoreligious functionaries (priest, shaman, medicine man, sorcerer and witch).

 

6. Anthropological theories:

(a) Classical evolutionism (Tylor, Morgan and Frazer)

(b) Historical particularism (Boas); Diffusionism (British, German and American)

(c) Functionalism (Malinowski); Structural- functionlism (Radcliffe-Brown)

(d) Structuralism (L’evi – Strauss and E. Leach)

(e) Culture and personality (Benedict, Mead, Linton, Kardiner and Cora – du Bois).

(f) Neo – evolutionism (Childe, White, Steward, Sahlins and Service)

(g) Cultural materialism (Harris)

(h) Symbolic and interpretive theories (Turner, Schneider and Geertz)

(i) Cognitive theories (Tyler, Conklin)

(j) Post- modernism in anthropology

 

7. Culture, language and communication: Nature, origin and characteristics of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social context of language use.

 

8. Research methods in anthropology:

(a) Fieldwork tradition in anthropology

(b) Distinction between technique, method and methodology

(c) Tools of data collection: observation, interview, schedules, questionnaire, Case study, genealogy, life-history, oral history, secondary sources of information, participatory methods.

(d) Analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.

 

9.1 Human Genetics : Methods and Application: Methods for study of genetic principles in man-family study (pedigree analysis, twin study, foster child, co-twin method, cytogenetic method, chromosomal and karyo-type analysis), biochemical methods, immunological methods, D.N.A. technology and recombinant technologies.

 

9.2 Mendelian genetics in man-family study, single factor, multifactor, lethal, sublethal and polygenic inheritance in man.

 

9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection, Mendelian population, Hardy- Weinberg law; causes and changes which bring down frequency – mutation, isolation, migration, selection, inbreeding and genetic drift. Consanguineous and nonconsanguineous mating, genetic load, ge- 40 UPSC Employment News 19 – 25 February 2011 netic effect of consanguineous and cousin marriages.

 

9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man, methodology.

(a) Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders).

(b) Sex chromosomal aberrations – Klinefelter (XXY), Turner (XO), Super female (XXX), intersex and other syndromic disorders.

(c) Autosomal aberrations – Down syndrome, Patau, Edward and Cri-du-chat syndromes.

(d) Genetic imprints in human disease, genetic screening, genetic counseling, human DNA profiling, gene mapping and genome study.

 

9.5 Race and racism, biological basis of morphological variation of non-metric and metric characters. Racial criteria, racial traits in relation to heredity and environment; biological basis of racial classification, racial differentiation and race crossing in man.

 

9.6 Age, sex and population variation as genetic marker- ABO, Rh blood groups, HLA Hp, transferring, Gm, blood enzymes. Physiological characteristics-Hb level, body fat, pulse rate, respiratory functions and sensory perceptions in different cultural and socio-economic groups.

 

9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology. Bio-cultural Adaptations – Genetic and Non- genetic factors. Man’s physiological responses to environmental stresses: hot desert, cold, high altitude climate.

 

9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology: Health and disease. Infectious and non-infectious diseases. Nutritional deficiency related diseases.

 

10. Concept of human growth and development: stages of growth – pre-natal, natal, infant, childhood, adolescence, maturity, senescence. – Factors affecting growth and development genetic, environmental, biochemical, nutritional, cultural and socio-economic. – Ageing and senescence. Theories and observations – biological and chronological longevity. Human physique and somatotypes. Methodologies for growth studies.

 

11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bioevents to fertility. Fertility patterns and differentials.

 

11.2 Demographic theories- biological, social and cultural.

 

11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality.

 

12. Applications of Anthropology: Anthropology of sports, Nutritional anthropology, Anthropology in designing of defence and other equipments, Forensic Anthropology, Methods and principles of personal identification and reconstruction, Applied human genetics – Paternity diagnosis, genetic counseling and eugenics, DNA technology in diseases and medicine, serogenetics and cytogenetics in reproductive biology.

Sociology Anthropology
Paper 1: Fundamentals of Sociology

 

A. Sociology – The Discipline:

1. Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of sociology.

2. Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.

3. Sociology and common sense.

 

B. Sociology as Science:

1. Science, scientific method and critique.

2. Major theoretical strands of research methodology.

3. Positivism and its critique.

4. Fact value and objectivity.

5. Non- positivist methodologies.

 

C. Research Methods and Analysis:

1. Qualitative and quantitative methods.

2. Techniques of data collection.

3. Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.

 

D. Sociological Thinkers:

1. Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle.

2. Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society.

3. Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.

4. Talcolt Parsons- Social system, pattern variables.

5. Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups

6. Mead – Self and identity.

 

E. Stratification and Mobility:

1. Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation

2. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.

3. Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.

4. Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.

 

F. Works and Economic Life:

1. Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist society.

2. Formal and informal organization of work

3. Labour and society.

 

G. Politics and Society:

1. Sociological theories of power

2. Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.

3. Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.

4. Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.

 

H. Religion and Society:

1. Sociological theories of religion.

2. Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.

3. Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.

 

I. Systems of Kinship:

1. Family, household, marriage.

2. Types and forms of family.

3. Lineage and descent

4. Patriarchy and sexual division of labour

5. Contemporary trends.

 

J. Social Change in Modern Society:

1. Sociological theories of social change.

2. Development and dependency.

3. Agents of social change.

4. Education and social change.

5. Science, technology and social change.

Paper 1

 

1.1 Meaning, scope and development of Anthropology.

 

1.2 Relationships with other disciplines: Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Earth Sciences and Humanities.

 

1.3 Main branches of Anthropology, theirscope and relevance:

(a) Social- cultural Anthropology.

(b) Biological Anthropology.

(c) Archaeological Anthropology.

(d) Linguistic Anthropology.

 

1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man:

(a) Biological and Cultural factors in human evolution.

(b) Theories of Organic Evolution (Pre- Darwinian, Darwinian and Post-Darwinian).

(c) Synthetic theory of evolution; Brief outline of terms and concepts of evolutionary biology (Doll’s rule, Cope’s rule, Gause’s rule, parallelism, convergence, adaptive radiation, and mosaic evolution).

 

1.5 Characteristics of Primates; Evolutionary Trend and Primate Taxonomy; Primate Adaptations; (Arboreal and Terrestrial) Primate Taxonomy; Primate Behaviour; Tertiary and Quaternary fossil primates; Living Major Primates; Comparative Anatomy of Man and Apes; Skeletal changes due to erect posture and its implications.

 

1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution of the following:

(a) Plio-pleistocene hominids in South and East Africa – Australopithecines.

(b) Homo erectus: Africa (Paranthropus), Europe (Homo erectus heidelbergensis), Asia (Homo erectus javanicus, Homo erectus pekinensis).

(c) Neanderthal Man- La-Chapelle-auxsaints (Classical type), Mt. Carmel (Progressive type).

(d) Rhodesian man.

(e) Homo sapiens — Cromagnon, Grimaldi and Chancelede.

 

1.7 The biological basis of life: The Cell, DNA structure and replication, Protein Synthesis, Gene, Mutation, Chromosomes, and Cell Division.

 

1.8  (a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology. Chronology: Relative and Absolute Dating methods.

(b) Cultural Evolution- Broad Outlines of Prehistoric cultures:

(i) Paleolithic

(ii) Mesolithic

(iii) Neolithic

(iv) Chalcolithic

(v) Copper-Bronze Age

(vi) Iron Age

 

2.1 The Nature of Culture: The concept and characteristics of culture and civilization; Ethnocentrism vis-à-vis cultural Relativism.

 

2.2 The Nature of Society: Concept of Society; Society and Culture; Social Institutions; Social groups; and Social stratification.

 

2.3 Marriage: Definition and universality; Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy, hypogamy, incest taboo); Types of marriage (monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, group marriage). Functions of marriage; Marriage regulations (preferential, prescriptive and proscriptive); Marriage payments (bride wealth and dowry).

 

2.4 Family: Definition and universality; Family, household and domestic groups; functions of family; Types of family (from the perspectives of structure, blood relation, marriage, residence and succession); Impact of urbanization, industrialization and feminist movements on family.

 

2.5 Kinship: Consanguinity and Affinity; Principles and types of descent (Unilineal, Double, Bilateral, Ambilineal); Forms of descent groups (lineage, clan, phratry, moiety and kindred); Kinship terminology (descriptive and classificatory); Descent, Filiation and Complimentary Filiation; Descent and Alliance.

 

3. Economic organization: Meaning, scope and relevance of economic anthropology; Formalist and Substantivist debate; Principles governing production, distribution and exchange (reciprocity, redistribution and market), in communities, subsisting on hunting and gathering, fishing, swiddening, pastoralism, horticulture, and agriculture; globalization and indigenous economic systems.

 

4. Political organization and Social Control: Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state; concepts of power, authority and legitimacy; social control, law and justice in simple societies.

 

5. Religion: Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in tribal and peasant societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and science distinguished; magicoreligious functionaries (priest, shaman, medicine man, sorcerer and witch).

 

6. Anthropological theories:

(a) Classical evolutionism (Tylor, Morgan and Frazer)

(b) Historical particularism (Boas); Diffusionism (British, German and American)

(c) Functionalism (Malinowski); Structural- functionlism (Radcliffe-Brown)

(d) Structuralism (L’evi – Strauss and E. Leach)

(e) Culture and personality (Benedict, Mead, Linton, Kardiner and Cora – du Bois).

(f) Neo – evolutionism (Childe, White, Steward, Sahlins and Service)

(g) Cultural materialism (Harris)

(h) Symbolic and interpretive theories (Turner, Schneider and Geertz)

(i) Cognitive theories (Tyler, Conklin)

(j) Post- modernism in anthropology

 

7. Culture, language and communication: Nature, origin and characteristics of language; verbal and non-verbal communication; social context of language use.

 

8. Research methods in anthropology:

(a) Fieldwork tradition in anthropology

(b) Distinction between technique, method and methodology

(c) Tools of data collection: observation, interview, schedules, questionnaire, Case study, genealogy, life-history, oral history, secondary sources of information, participatory methods.

(d) Analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.

 

9.1 Human Genetics : Methods and Application: Methods for study of genetic principles in man-family study (pedigree analysis, twin study, foster child, co-twin method, cytogenetic method, chromosomal and karyo-type analysis), biochemical methods, immunological methods, D.N.A. technology and recombinant technologies.

 

9.2 Mendelian genetics in man-family study, single factor, multifactor, lethal, sublethal and polygenic inheritance in man.

 

9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection, Mendelian population, Hardy- Weinberg law; causes and changes which bring down frequency – mutation, isolation, migration, selection, inbreeding and genetic drift. Consanguineous and nonconsanguineous mating, genetic load, ge- 40 UPSC Employment News 19 – 25 February 2011 netic effect of consanguineous and cousin marriages.

 

9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man, methodology.

(a) Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders).

(b) Sex chromosomal aberrations – Klinefelter (XXY), Turner (XO), Super female (XXX), intersex and other syndromic disorders.

(c) Autosomal aberrations – Down syndrome, Patau, Edward and Cri-du-chat syndromes.

(d) Genetic imprints in human disease, genetic screening, genetic counseling, human DNA profiling, gene mapping and genome study.

 

9.5 Race and racism, biological basis of morphological variation of non-metric and metric characters. Racial criteria, racial traits in relation to heredity and environment; biological basis of racial classification, racial differentiation and race crossing in man.

 

9.6 Age, sex and population variation as genetic marker- ABO, Rh blood groups, HLA Hp, transferring, Gm, blood enzymes. Physiological characteristics-Hb level, body fat, pulse rate, respiratory functions and sensory perceptions in different cultural and socio-economic groups.

 

9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology. Bio-cultural Adaptations – Genetic and Non- genetic factors. Man’s physiological responses to environmental stresses: hot desert, cold, high altitude climate.

 

9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology: Health and disease. Infectious and non-infectious diseases. Nutritional deficiency related diseases.

 

10. Concept of human growth and development: stages of growth – pre-natal, natal, infant, childhood, adolescence, maturity, senescence. – Factors affecting growth and development genetic, environmental, biochemical, nutritional, cultural and socio-economic. – Ageing and senescence. Theories and observations – biological and chronological longevity. Human physique and somatotypes. Methodologies for growth studies.

 

11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bioevents to fertility. Fertility patterns and differentials.

 

11.2 Demographic theories- biological, social and cultural.

 

11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality.

 

12. Applications of Anthropology: Anthropology of sports, Nutritional anthropology, Anthropology in designing of defence and other equipments, Forensic Anthropology, Methods and principles of personal identification and reconstruction, Applied human genetics – Paternity diagnosis, genetic counseling and eugenics, DNA technology in diseases and medicine, serogenetics and cytogenetics in reproductive biology.

Paper 2: Indian Society: Structure and Change

 

A. Introducing Indian Society:

1. i. Perspectives on the study of Indian society:

1. 1. Indology (GS. Ghurye).

2. 2. Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).

3. 3. Marxist sociology (A R Desai).

2. ii. Impact of colonial rule on Indian society:

1. 1. Social background of Indian nationalism.

2. 2. Modernization of Indian tradition.

3. 3. Protests and movements during the colonial period.

4. 4. Social reforms

 

B. Social Structure:

1. i. Rural and Agrarian Social Structure:

1. 1. The idea of Indian village and village studies-

2. 2. Agrarian social structure – evolution of land tenure system, land reforms.

2. ii. Caste System:

1. 2. Features of caste system.

2. 3. Untouchability – forms and perspectives

3. iii. Tribal communities in India:

1. 1. Definitional problems.

2. 2. Geographical spread.

3. 3. Colonial policies and tribes.

4. 4. Issues of integration and autonomy.

4. iv. Social Classes in India:

1. 1. Agrarian class structure.

2. 2. Industrial class structure.

3. 3. Middle classes in India.

5. v. Systems of Kinship in India:

1. 1. Lineage and descent in India.

2. 2. Types of kinship systems.

3. 3. Family and marriage in India.

4. 4. Household dimensions of the family.

5. 5. Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour.

6. vi. Religion and Society:

1. 1. Religious communities in India.

2. 2. Problems of religious minorities.

1. 1. Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.

 

C. Social Changes in India:

1. i. Visions of Social Change in India:

1. 1. Idea of development planning and mixed economy.

2. 2. Constitution, law and social change.

3. 3. Education and social change.

2. ii. Rural and Agrarian transformation in India:

1. 1. Programmes of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation schemes.

2. 2. Green revolution and social change.

3. 3. Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.

4. 4. Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.

3. iii. Industrialization and Urbanisation in India:

1. 1. Evolution of modern industry in India.

2. 2. Growth of urban settlements in India.

3. 3. Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.

4. 4. Informal sector, child labour

5. 5. Slums and deprivation in urban areas.

4. iv. Politics and Society:

1. 1. Nation, democracy and citizenship.

2. 2. Political parties, pressure groups , social and political elite.

3. 3. Regionalism and decentralization of power.

4. 4. Secularization

5. v. Social Movements in Modern India:

1. 1. Peasants and farmers movements.

2. 2. Women’s movement.

3. 3. Backward classes & Dalit movement.

4. 4. Environmental movements.

5. 5. Ethnicity and Identity movements.

6. vi. Population Dynamics:

1. 1. Population size, growth, composition and distribution.

2. 2. Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.

3. 3. Population policy and family planning.

4. 4. Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.

7. vii. Challenges of Social Transformation:

1. 1. Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems and sustainability.

2. 2. Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.

3. 3. Violence against women.

4. 4. Caste conflicts.

5. 5. Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.

6. 6. Illiteracy and disparities in education

Paper 2

 

1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization — Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic – Chalcolithic). Protohistoric (Indus Civilization): Pre- Harappan, Harappan and post- Harappan cultures. Contributions of tribal cultures to Indian civilization.

 

1.2 Palaeo – anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).

 

1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India : The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including arts and crafts producing communities.

 

2. Demographic profile of India — Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their distribution. Indian population – factors influencing its structure and growth.

 

3.1 The structure and nature of traditional Indian social system — Varnashram, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth.

 

3.2 Caste system in India- structure and characteristics, Varna and caste, Theories of origin of caste system, Dominant caste, Caste mobility, Future of caste system, Jajmani system, Tribe- caste continuum.

 

3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature- Man- Spirit Complex.

 

3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society.

 

4. Emergence and growth of anthropology in India-Contributions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian anthropologists to tribal and caste studies.

 

5.1 Indian Village: Significance of village study in India; Indian village as a social system; Traditional and changing patterns of settlement and inter-caste relations; Agrarian relations in Indian villages; Impact of globalization on Indian villages.

 

5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status.

 

5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society: Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great traditions; Panchayati raj and social change;

Media and social change.

 

6.1 Tribal situation in India – Bio-genetic variability, linguistic and socio-economic characteristics of tribal populations and their distribution.

 

6.2 Problems of the tribal Communities — land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low literacy, poor educational facilities, unemployment, underemployment, health and nutrition.

 

6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement and problems of rehabilitation. Development of forest policy and tribals. Impact of urbanization and industrialization on tribal populations.

 

7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

 

7.2 Social change and contemporary tribal societies: Impact of modern democratic institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.

 

7.3 The concept of ethnicity; Ethnic conflicts and political developments; Unrest among tribal communities; Regionalism and demand for autonomy; Pseudo-tribalism; Social change among the tribes during colonial and post-Independent India.

 

8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies.

 

8.2 Tribe and nation state — a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other countries.

 

9.1 History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal Groups), their distribution, special programmes for their development. Role of N.G.O.s in tribal development.

 

9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.

 

9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism, and ethnic and political movements

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Sociology or Anthropology? Which is Better Optional UPSC Civil Services Examination?

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