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UPSC Mains 2020 Anthropology Paper II

Explore the complete UPSC Mains Anthropology Paper II question paper from 2020, 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, 2020Time 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.
  • Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, any 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)

      Contribution of Robert Bruce Foote to Indian Archaeology

      10marks
    2. 1(b)

      Debates on 'Aryan' invasion

      10marks
    3. 1(c)

      Contribution of K. S. Singh to Indian Anthropology

      10marks
    4. 1(d)

      Dravidian languages

      10marks
    5. 1(e)

      'Khap' Panchayat

      10marks
  2. 2

    Question 2

    50marks
    1. 2(a)

      Discuss the impact of Islam on Indian Society.

      20marks
    2. 2(b)

      Discuss the contribution of V. N. Misra to Archaeological Anthropology in India.

      15marks
    3. 2(c)

      Elucidate the linguistic classification of Indian tribes.

      15marks
  3. 3

    Question 3

    50marks
    1. 3(a)

      Discuss the characteristics of caste system in India.

      20marks
    2. 3(b)

      Discuss the importance of Ethnoarchaeology in reconstructing the Past citing Indian examples.

      15marks
    3. 3(c)

      Explain the impact of Hinduism on Tribal people of India.

      15marks
  4. 4

    Question 4

    50marks
    1. 4(a)

      Explain the reasons of caste violence in India with suitable examples.

      20marks
    2. 4(b)

      Discuss the impact of Globalization on Indian villages.

      15marks
    3. 4(c)

      Describe the provisions under 6th Schedule of Indian constitution.

      15marks

Section B

  1. 5

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

    50marks
    1. 5(a)

      Concept of Sanskritisation

      10marks
    2. 5(b)

      'Narmada' Man

      10marks
    3. 5(c)

      Concept of 'Dominant' caste

      10marks
    4. 5(d)

      Linguistic minorities in India

      10marks
    5. 5(e)

      Concept of Ethnicity

      10marks
  2. 6

    Question 6

    50marks
    1. 6(a)

      What are the Social and Political problems of religious minorities in India?

      20marks
    2. 6(b)

      Describe the functions of Tribal Research Institutes in India.

      15marks
    3. 6(c)

      Discuss the effect of job reservation in alleviating unemployment among the tribal people of India.

      15marks
  3. 7

    Question 7

    50marks
    1. 7(a)

      Explain the impact of development-induced displacement among the tribal people in India with suitable examples.

      20marks
    2. 7(b)

      Discuss the characteristic features of 'Neolithic culture' in India.

      15marks
    3. 7(c)

      Critically evaluate the state of implementation of the constitutional safeguards for the scheduled castes.

      15marks
  4. 8

    Question 8

    50marks
    1. 8(a)

      Discuss the regionalism and demand for autonomy in India from Anthropological perspective with respect to Kashmir/Nagaland/Bodoland/Gorkhaland agitation.

      20marks
    2. 8(b)

      Elucidate the problems of land alienation among the tribals of India.

      15marks
    3. 8(c)

      Describe the different settlement patterns in rural India.

      15marks

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