Note: There a total of 3 blog posts on Anthropology. This first article primarily talks about my book list and the basic approach I followed. The second and third articles deal with topic wise detailed plan for Paper I and II respectively.
Marksheet
Book List
These are the sources I referred to for my Anthropology optional. There is no need to read these books from end to end. You must go topic wise as per the syllabus and read these books to get a good grip over the subject. Apart from these, use online sources and newspapers to enrich your knowledge and answer content.
Paper I
- Braintree material
- Physical Anthropology – P Nath
- Anthropology Simplified – Vivek Bhasme (very good source for diagrams and answer structuring)
- Anthropology – Ember and Ember
Paper II
- Indian Anthropology -Nadeem Hasnain
- Tribal India – Nadeem Hasnain
- Anthropology Simplified- Vivek Bhasme
- The Tribal Culture of India – LP Vidyarthi
- Xaxa Report
- January 2014 edition of Yojana- Tribal and Marginalized Communities
Note on diagrams and answer writing
While preparing for CSE 2017, because of my hectic work schedule I was hard pressed to just finish the syllabus in the limited time I had. Because of this time crunch, I could neither make any topic-wise notes nor opt for any test series. I learnt how to write good answers from the book Anthropology Simplified by Vivek Bhasme. Most of the diagrams I practised too were from this book.
Online Resources for Paper I and II
- Khan Academy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gUY5NoX1Lk
- Anthropological Theories: http://anthropology.ua.edu/cultures/cultures.php
- Genetics: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
- Anthropological Survey of India: https://ansi.gov.in/
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs: https://tribal.nic.in/
- Tribal faces of India- https://tribal.nic.in/DivisionsFiles/tribalFaces.pdf
- Govt. schemes and tribal related news reported in newspapers
- Diagrams related to anthropology: I practised many diagrams from the notes of Kirthi Chekuri (AIR 14, CSE 2015) published in this Insights article
- Physical Anthropology slides
Books for general reading
The following books have absolutely no bearing on Anthropology optional preparation. But for a curious student of this subject, these books are incredibly fascinating to read. Much ahead of me choosing Anthropology as my optional, it’s these books that got me deeply interested in the fields of evolutionary biology and genetics. Pick them up in your leisure time and I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.
- Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari
- The Selfish Gene- Richard Dawkins
- The Blind Watchmaker- Richard Dawkins
- The Gene- Siddhartha Mukherjee
Anthropologist Jane Goodall with our Chimp cousin. This NatGeo film on her life is fantastic. Image credit: www.neverapart.com
Basic Plan
While you refer to the aforementioned booklist, these are some of the tips you should keep in mind.
- If you are a complete beginner in Anthropology, your focus must be on gaining conceptual clarity and not on quickly completing the syllabus. Always remember that on the final day, it’s your clear understanding of the subject that lets you write good answers.
- In the booklist I mentioned, there’s no need to read every book from cover to cover. When you are reading from a book, always have the relevant syllabus chapter/ topic and previous years’ questions in mind. They will help you to stay focussed and will give you an idea of how much to study from each book.
- For absolute beginners, Ember and Ember is a great book to start with. When I began preparing for Anthro in Jan 2017, I started with this book. I loved it so much that I read it cover to cover, even though such detailed reading is not at all needed from the exam point of view.
- If you are making notes, they must be rich and comprehensive in content. For this, start with one standard core book, make notes from it and then add relevant content from other books. I’ve dealt with this in detail in my subsequent posts to this article.
- For both the papers, wherever relevant, quoting examples and illustrating with diagrams is absolutely pivotal. Paper I must have tribes names from the rest of the world. Ember and Ember is rich resource for many such examples but the pity is that there’s no way to memorise them except by rote. Collect such examples in an A4 sheet and revise over and over.
- Attempt as many Physical Anthropology questions as possible. They are largely static with immense scope for diagrams. You shouldn’t go wrong on those.
- Use internet and YouTube extensively for understanding Physical Anthropology concepts (especially Genetics). You can find very good explainer videos and documentaries. In your answers, wherever relevant, you can also write about the latest findings in the field. For example, in a topic like genetic inheritance, briefly mention about current research in epigenome, DNA methylation and how it affects gene expression.
- Answer like a specialist. Definitions, introductions, criticisms must be scholarly. That is, you must mention Anthropologists’ name, their work (year of publication too, if you can), its criticism by other thinkers. Examples: a. Bronislaw Malinowski in his work “Argonauts of the Western Pacific (1922)” describes the importance of Kula Ring in the economic systems of Trobriand Islanders b. Franz Boas in his article “The Limitation of the Comparative Method of Anthropology (1896)” criticized the evolutionary approach and laid the foundations of Historical Particularism.
- For a particular concept, apart from the main thinker, try and quote works of other Anthropologists as well. For example: In Tribe-Caste Continuum of Paper II, everyone writes about Bailey, but if you can also substantiate your answer with works of Surajit Sinha on Maria Gonds, this will give your answer an edge.
- Use internet and newspapers to collect good case studies to illustrate Tribal problems. Cram latest statistics pertaining to them. A thorough reading of Xaxa report is an absolute must for Tribal related portions of the syllabus.
- Keep tabs on the latest news pertaining to Anthropology. It can be a new fossil discovery, launch of a new govt scheme for PVTGs, or a new finding in genetic research etc. When you read papers, have an eye out for such news and collect them in a separate notebook so that you can revise them before the exam.
- Apart from reading books, dedicate adequate time to practise diagrams and label them correctly. Consistent practice helps you draw fast and draw neat.
Anthropology is a terrific subject to learn. If you put your heart into it, you can easily ace this optional. My best wishes.
Note: My book, Fundamentals of Essay and Answer Writing is an Amazon bestseller. Since its release, the book helped countless candidates master the art of crafting exceptional essays and answers and elevate their performance in the UPSC Mains Exam. You can know about the book here.
Thank you sir..
Thank you so much sir, literally I was confused since couple of days about how and what to prepare, this relived my confusion
I’m glad you found this post useful. Good luck!
hello sir can you please tell us about your mains strategy.. books, websites, note making and answer practice
Hi i would like to know Did you join any coaching for Anthropology
No. He said in some interviews , he didn’t take couching for Anthropology.
Thank you so much Sir, for helping others
Thanks sir uh deserve success…..
Sir, which test series will you recommend for optional???
Thanks a lot sir… Its really helpful
Sir you joint coaching anthropology . without coaching possible good score anthropology and conceptual clarity. Sir please send reply
yes offcours anudeep sir said in his previous interview that without coaching you can also earned a good marks in anthropology
Sir can u suggest a good test series to practice please sir
Sir can you please give a rough time table to follow for anthro subject for a span of 3 months , this wud be a massive help, thank you
Yes sir please explain the time table please sir
A guiding light for beginners thanku sir
Hello sir!
Just read your article and it’s very informative . Thank you for that.
My concern is, should I prepare my optional first or should I do gs only and Start preparing optional December onwards?
2022 will be my very first attempt
Sir tell me booklist of anthropology as optional
sir ,you are the greatest of the personalities on earth.
Thanks a lot sir it’s really helpful every civil service aspirants
Execuse me Sir, I haven’t found Anthropological Theories in Ember and Ember.
Can You plz help to locate me the chapter…
Hi sir …How You doing sir ..I’m from Metpally and choosen Anthro as my Optional..Thank you sir..u r my inspiration…and I hope I will meet u soon…..i hope U I’ll give reply to this msg while u get this one…
Sir I have made notes of primates can you give me review on any one of them
sir really so help full sir
Sir tell me please which website to buy these books
Hlo pls share me whole strategy for this exam s
Thank u sir for guiding us . I was confused for selecting the book and starting with which one. My cunfusion has been cleared . Thank u so much
Thank u
Sir, I’m doing Bsc.Hon. Chemistry from DU. Sir, I want to know that should I choose chemistry as my optional. I am interseted in geography too.
It’s a personal decision. You can go through this article by AIR-10 Abhishek Surana to decide what’s best for you: https://abhisheksurana.wordpress.com/2018/05/11/optional-selection/
Thank you sir
?Thank you,Sir!!
Thank you so much Anudeep bro. Your’e a life saver
Thank you so much Anudeep garu.
Which edition of Ember and Ember has to be referred sir ??
I read 12th edition.
https://www.flipkart.com/anthropology-12th-edition/p/itmevdygjpavhzve
Is this book which you’ve referred?
Thank you annaya plz continue your guides to prepare youngster’s like u waiting for ur next guidance tweet annaya
Thank you so much Anudeep sir,this information helps me a lot for my preparation….so nice of you sir
Sir what’s the difference between socialogy and anthropology,does anthropology deals with only tribes or does it include study of scheduled castes.
Anthropology studies how we evolved from being insignificant apes to a primitive tribes. Sociology takes on from here and studies how we evolved from primitive tribes to establish complex societies.
Tq,Sir
Sir,Could You plz Tell me Which Test Series are Best??
we are glad to have an motivator like you sir thanks a lot sir
Tqsm anudeep sir for sharing dis information with us, keep guiding us .
congrats bro have a great feature
Thank you so much Sir 😀
Thank you Anudeep Sir for your brilliant article in a lucid manner.
please sir upload ur answer paper.
Thanks sir..waiting for next articles..
I really appreciate your efforts of guiding fellow aspirants. Wish you All the Best for your future endeavours. A humble request, please keep guiding us and do not let this beautiful blog of yours gather dust with time.
Thanks again..
You can be assured that this blog will be alive for a long time, though the articles will cease to be about UPSC exam after a point.
Hello sir…many many congratulations…
Sir…I’m a student of science background but want to go with anthropology optional…..How should I start…. kindly mention from which book should I start???
Thank you sir….
Bro, the whole point of the article was just that.
?
Sir how long it will take me to complete the syllabus….I’m a beginner now…I’m preparing for 2019…….and from which month should I start for my optional..
Thank you sir
Hi sir just wanted to know where to get Braintree material. Did you buy online or studied through pfds?
I am srinath studying graduation 3rd year and I am from vemulawada karimnagar . And aspiring to become an ias Sir .I have question ” There are a lot of aspirants preparing for ias some are cracking in 1st attempt without coaching and some are taking a lot of attempts what is the key aspects and difference between the people who are made it and rest who don’t ?” Please answer me for the my query Sir .Hoping a sooner response.
Thank you Sir
Hi sir, how did you revise and make notes out of ember and ember ? CAn you elaborate regarding use of this book ?
From where we will get case studies for anthropology ?
Hello Anudeep Sir,
Ist of all heartiest Congratulations on your great Success…&
Thank u so much for such informatic blog,
One of my humble request to u sir
plz if you have collection/notes
in soft copies PDF/DOC format related to – Anthropology/GS/ESSAY Etc… whatever,
Sir could u plz email me or share it if it is on google drive at
my email id-
daya.panwar.cbi@gmail.com
Sir i wud be tthankful to u.
I know you might be having tIGHT schedule and may not have time to share it but yours 5 minutes will save my 5 months & will help me a lot sir plzzzzz
Thanks & regards.
DAYA
Dhurishettygaru,
a lot of candidates clearing this time had Anthropology as their optional so my coaching suggested I change mine because this one might not perform so well next year. Is there any truth to this? Are optionals really subject to such trends? I would gladly switch to another ( I’m considering psychology but I’m worried I’d have to compete with graduates and post graduates in the subject) since I haven’t really started on Anthropology and the only reason I chose it was because my graduation subject (dentistry) is not amongst the optionals and I liked “The Selfish Gene”.
And if you suggest I stick with Anthropology then how many months should I give to it? Do I have enough time to complete it properly to attempt in 2019?
Whether an optional would do well or not, no one can tell. If you like the subject and can write better answers compared to others within your optional, then you need not fear. You’ll get good marks.
So stop wasting time on unnecessary speculation.
Sir I am hesitating to take anthropology as optional as I will have to remember so many people ,their work ,difficult terms and many hard examples.Sir is there any solution for that or I am just worrying unnecessarily. I am completely beginner.I am afraid of especially physical and biological one.I have keen interest for anthropology. Help me sir!!!!
Hellow kavyamam .. Im also dentist and confused like u… I just started preparation with anthropology optional… And im in full time gov job… I wnt to know your strategy…
Sir Which chapters to read from ember n ember
Plz upload rest of your answer sheets of mains.
Where can I get P nath- Physical anthropology.?
Or someone have pdf plz send link.
Buy it from a shop, bro. You don’t have to be stingy when you want to become an IAS officer
Thank u so much sir!?
Sir,my situation is quite similar to yours.I had given 4 attempts already with Pub Ad optional,in which i got 230 in 2016 and 261 in 2017.I failed to clear 2018 pre.2019 will be my 5th attempt.I can’t take the risk of keeping pub ad since you know the unpredictability of Pub Ad.I am ready to put in my effort,can Anthro be covered in 4 months?
Please advice me,should i go with the change
Let’s say in Quantum Physics if I get consistently poor marks, I’d be fine with it because I know that I suck at that subject. But the the problem I had with Pub Ad was that to see a subject with such sterile, deceased content was delivering such poor marks even after preparing so thoroughly. As I mentioned in my ForumIAS video (available on YouTube) even after 4 years of preparing for Pub Ad, when I saw a question, I had no idea where to start or what to write.
Tackling each Pub Ad question became a perverse exercise in decoding the examiner’s mindset rather than answering each question clearly and directly. That uncertainty and obscurity was just killing me. And not to mention the fact that since day one, I found theories of “thinkers” like McGregor, Argyris, Likert, Mary Follet to be lifeless, pretentious and total garbage.
Add to it the fact that, “questions” in Pub Ad are random quotes taken from some godforsaken research paper that NO ONE ever cared about except the paper setter. How do I write about a quote without its context? When you are asked such question, you are inevitably sucked into that deathly vortex of double-guessing examiners’ intention in asking the question, instead of answering the question itself.
So all of it pushed me to change my optional. And when I wanted to take a new optional, of course I was very reluctant to write off that massive four year sunk cost in Pub Ad. But I always told myself: “If I fail with Anthro, that’s okay. I would be failing on my own terms and not because of an awful subject like Pub Ad”
Sorry if it felt like a rant, but since you asked, I wanted tell you my reasoning clearly and honestly. If you could relate to the difficulties I faced with Pub Ad, then probably it’s time to dump it.
Regarding Anthro, I prepared for it along with a job, so I took around 6 months to finish it. If you aren’t working, then 4 months is good enough time to do it.
Sir, thanks a lot for giving such a detailed reply.You have cleared my doubts,i will take a call based on your inputs.Country needs more officers like you who are so humble,accessible and helping.
sir how many hours per day could you dedicate for optional?
wow sir……..i have exactly same feelings towards subject like philosophy …….i am an engineer and will give my everything to be an ias officer………..thanks for such a remarkable suggestion………U R MY HERO
hello anudeep ,can u please tell about how to start mains preparation for beginner
See: https://anudeepdurishetty.in/how-to-conquer-gs-in-upsc-mains-explained/