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UPSC Mains 2017 Anthropology Paper II

Explore the complete UPSC Mains Anthropology Paper II question paper from 2017, with every question clearly presented alongside its marks and word limit. Read online or download either PDF edition free.

The official PDF is UPSC’s own bilingual file. The UPSC Gurus edition is a clean English version formatted for easy reading and printing.

Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2017Time Allowed: Three HoursMaximum Marks: 250

Practise Under the Exam Clock

Set aside three hours, start the clock and write your answers on paper, just as you would in the examination. Nothing needs to be uploaded.

Question Paper Specific Instructions

  • There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS.
  • Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
  • Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.
  • The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
  • Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.

Section A

  1. 1

    Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

    50marks
    1. 1(a)

      Neolithic cultures of South India.

      10marks
    2. 1(b)

      Austro-asiatic linguistic groups in India.

      10marks
    3. 1(c)

      Varnashram and the concept of Rina.

      10marks
    4. 1(d)

      Ethno-archaeology.

      10marks
    5. 1(e)

      Nature-man-spirit complex.

      10marks
  2. 2

    Question 2

    50marks
    1. 2(a)

      Discuss the contribution of Nirmal Kumar Bose to the understanding of Indian society.

      20marks
    2. 2(b)

      Describe the salient features of chalcolithic cultures of the Deccan.

      15marks
    3. 2(c)

      Critically discuss the constitutional safeguards for the Scheduled Castes.

      15marks
  3. 3

    Question 3

    50marks
    1. 3(a)

      Discuss the impact of market economy on the Jajmani system.

      20marks
    2. 3(b)

      Describe the salient features of Ramapithecus.

      15marks
    3. 3(c)

      Discuss the social, political and economic status of Muslims in India.

      15marks
  4. 4

    Question 4

    50marks
    1. 4(a)

      Explain how Buddhism influenced the economic and cultural transformations of Indian society.

      20marks
    2. 4(b)

      Describe various aspects of trade and religion of Harappan civilization.

      15marks
    3. 4(c)

      Discuss the impact of media as an instrument of social change.

      15marks

Section B

  1. 5

    Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:

    50marks
    1. 5(a)

      Indebtedness among tribal communities.

      10marks
    2. 5(b)

      Ethnicity and regionalism.

      10marks
    3. 5(c)

      Other Backward Class.

      10marks
    4. 5(d)

      Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (earlier known as PTG).

      10marks
    5. 5(e)

      Impact of Christianity on Indian tribes.

      10marks
  2. 6

    Question 6

    50marks
    1. 6(a)

      Describe the impact of displacement on the health and nutritional status of tribal communities.

      20marks
    2. 6(b)

      Discuss the emergence, salient features and limitations of Tribal sub-plan.

      15marks
    3. 6(c)

      Give a critical evaluation of any one anthropological village study in India.

      15marks
  3. 7

    Question 7

    50marks
    1. 7(a)

      Critically evaluate the term 'tribe' (as used in India) as compared to the term 'indigenous' in some other countries.

      20marks
    2. 7(b)

      Discuss the impact of Panchayati Raj institution on the empowerment of rural women in India.

      15marks
    3. 7(c)

      Give a critical appraisal of any one tribal development programme during XIIth Five-Year plan. Give your suggestions for any improvement in the programme.

      15marks
  4. 8

    Question 8

    50marks
    1. 8(a)

      Give your assessment of the reasons for the imbalance in the sex-ratio in India.

      20marks
    2. 8(b)

      Discuss the relevance of art and craft traditions in the understanding of Indian archaeology.

      15marks
    3. 8(c)

      Discuss the contribution of anthropology in understanding the loss of livelihood of tribal communities due to economic and ecological factors.

      15marks

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