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UPSC Mains 2022 Anthropology Paper II

Explore the complete UPSC Mains Anthropology Paper II question paper from 2022, 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, 2022Time 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)

      Pit-dwellers of Kashmir

      10marks
    2. 1(b)

      Varna and Buddhism

      10marks
    3. 1(c)

      Dharma versus Religion

      10marks
    4. 1(d)

      Safeguards for linguistic minorities in India

      10marks
    5. 1(e)

      Westernisation and Modernisation

      10marks
  2. 2

    Question 2

    50marks
    1. 2(a)

      Illustrate the contribution of Irawati Karve to Indian Anthropology. Make a special mention of her literary contribution.

      20marks
    2. 2(b)

      What are the arguments for excluding Narmada Man from Homo erectus category?

      15marks
    3. 2(c)

      Critically describe Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's argument on the origin of Indian caste system.

      15marks
  3. 3

    Question 3

    50marks
    1. 3(a)

      Make a critical appraisal of Megalithic tradition in India with special reference to North-East India.

      20marks
    2. 3(b)

      Assess the contributions of S. C. Dube in Indian village studies.

      15marks
    3. 3(c)

      Describe the methods adopted by Sir Herbert Hope Risley in classifying Indian populations. What are the criticisms against Risley's classification?

      15marks
  4. 4

    Question 4

    50marks
    1. 4(a)

      "Globalisation, on one hand has provided opportunities and on the other hand thrown challenges to Indian villages." Elucidate.

      20marks
    2. 4(b)

      Describe briefly the proto-history of Gujarat. Discuss the significance of Gujarat proto-history in international trade.

      15marks
    3. 4(c)

      Critically examine 'Indigenisation of Christianity' in India.

      15marks

Section B

  1. 5

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

    50marks
    1. 5(a)

      Regionalism as an opportunity and threat to national integration

      10marks
    2. 5(b)

      Issues of tribal agricultural labourers

      10marks
    3. 5(c)

      Major problems of nomadic and semi-nomadic groups

      10marks
    4. 5(d)

      Role of the Governor in the Fifth Schedule areas

      10marks
    5. 5(e)

      Austroasiatic languages

      10marks
  2. 6

    Question 6

    50marks
    1. 6(a)

      Discuss the objectives of Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs). How far have these objectives been achieved?

      20marks
    2. 6(b)

      Compare the functioning of traditional 'Tribal Council' with that of 'Gram Sabha' under PESA.

      15marks
    3. 6(c)

      Explain how British policies impacted the major resources of the tribals.

      15marks
  3. 7

    Question 7

    50marks
    1. 7(a)

      Discuss the views of G. S. Ghurye and Verrier Elwin on the approach towards tribal populations. What are the policies of the Government of India towards Indian tribal populations?

      20marks
    2. 7(b)

      Discuss the issues and solutions related to the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe populations in India.

      15marks
    3. 7(c)

      Explain the social and religious consequences of contact between tribal and non-tribal populations.

      15marks
  4. 8

    Question 8

    50marks
    1. 8(a)

      Compare the nature of tribal movements between North-East and Central India. Briefly mention the current status of existing tribal movements in these areas.

      20marks
    2. 8(b)

      Briefly describe the anthropological perspective on development. How have anthropologists contributed in India's rural development?

      15marks
    3. 8(c)

      How can a balance be struck between livelihood concern and environmental degradation in the context of shifting cultivation?

      15marks

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