I am providing my booklist here for Paper 1 of Anthropology.

It could be quite
exhaustive, but use them to gather thematerialand make your own notes. Paper 1
usually takes a lot of time to complete as the syllabus is huge, the scopeis varied and
is time consuming so plan accordingly.
1.1 Meaning, scope, and development of Anthropology
[ Generally 10 Marker is asked in this section 1.1 to 1.3, sop r e p a r e n o t e s a c c o rdingly]
Source
: Telugu Academy, Ember and Ember, Brain Tree.
1.2 Relationship with other disciplines: History, Economics,
Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, LifeScience, Medical
S c i e n c e . So u r c e
: Telugu Academy
1.3 Main branches of Anthropology, their scope, and relevance:

( a ) S o c i o - c u l t u r a l A n t h r o p o l o g y . (b) Bio l o g i c a l A n t h r o p o l o g y . ( c )
Archaeological Anthropology.Approach:
The questions here are straight forward so prepare an answer before hand.
Source
: Brain Tree
1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man:Organic Evolution-
Theories of evolution in historical perspective, pre-Darwinian,
Darwinian and Post-Darwinian period. Modern synthetic theory
of evolution; a brief outline of terms and concepts
o f evolutionary biology (Doll’s rule, Cope’s rule, Gause’s rule,
parallelism, convergence, adaptive radiation, m o s a i c
evolution)Source
: Physical Anthropology book by P.Nath
Principles of systematics and taxonomy, major primate taxa,
tertiary and quaternary fossil primates,Systematics of
Hominoidea and Hominidae, Origin and evolution of man-‘Homo
erectus and Homo sapiens’.S o u r c e
: P.Nath and Telugu Academy.
Approach:
I usually skipped this part. Especially ones relating to quaternary fossils etc. However, if you
wish to do ityou can do it from P.Nath.
1.5

Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical

distribution of the following:
1.H o m o e r e c t u s : A f r i c a ( P a r a n t h r o p u s ) , E u r o p e ( H o m o e r e c t u s
h e i d e l b e r g e n s i s ) , A s i a ( H o m o e r e c t u s javanicus, Homo erectus pekinensis).
2.N e a n d e r t h a l M a n - L a - C h a p e l l e - a u x - s a i n t s ( C l a s s i c a l t y p e ) , M t .
Carmel (Progressive type).
3.R h o d e s i a n m a n .
4.H o m o s a p i e n s — C r o m a g n o n , G r i m a l d i a n d C h a n c e l e d e . S o u r c e
: P.Nath and IGNOU book on Physical Anthropology.
Approach:
Here you can draw diagrams. Write the entire characteristics from Homo erectus to sapiens on
an A4sheet and stick it close to your study table and look at it repetitively. It will
help you recall in the examination halleasier. Also, learn to draw the diagrams here
perfectly. Don’t make errors while writing the biological names. This unitis a scoring one so
make use of it.
1.6 Evolutionary trend and classification of the order Primates,
Relationship with other mammals, molecularevolution of
Primates, Comparative anatomy of man and apes, primate
locomotion;-terrestrial and arborealadaptation, skeletal
changes due to erect posture and its implicationsSource :
Telugu Academy , P.Nath
Approach:
Here it is sufficient if you know the Comparative anatomy of man and apes, Primate locomotion
andrelationship with mammals. This section is scoring if you practice diagrams for
skeletal changes etc with properlabeling.
1.7 The biological basis of life:

The Cell, DNA structure and replication, Protein Synthesis,

G e n e , M u t a t i o n , Chromosomes, and Cell Division.A p p r o a c h :
I skipped this part. If you want to do it you can from Telugu Academy books
1.8
1.P r i n c i p l e s o f P r e h i s t o r i c A r c h a e o l o g y . C h r o n o l o g y : R e l a t i v e
and Absolute Dating methods.
2.C u l t u r a l E v o l u t i o n - B r o a d O u t l i n e s o f P r e h i s t o r i c c u l t u r e s :
1.P a l e o l i t h i c
2.M e s o l i t h i c
3.N e o l i t h i c
4.C h a l c o l i t h i c
5.C o p p e r - B r o n z e A g e
Iron Age
Source:
Book by DK BHATTACHARYA [An outline of Indian Pre-History], E-Pathshala videos, notes
by Sachin GuptaSir.
Approach:
The questions here are direct. Prepare for each culture on an A4 sheet and
reproduce the same in theexam hall.
2.1 The Nature of Culture: The concept and
characteristics of culture and civilization; Ethnocentrism
v i s - à - vis cultural Relativism.2.2 The Nature of Society:

Concept of Society; Society and Culture; Social

Institutions; Social groups; andS o c i a l s t r a t i fi c a t i o n
.
2.3 Marriage:
Definition and universality; Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy,
hypergamy, hypogamy,i n c e s t t a b o o ) ; T y p e s o f m a r r i a g e
(monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, group marriage). Functions
of marriage;Marriage regulations (preferential,
prescriptive and proscriptive); Marriage payments (bridewealth
a n d d o w r y ) . 2.4 Family:

Definition and universality; Family, household and

domestic groups; functions of family; Types offamily (from the
perspectives of structure, blood relation, marriage, residence,
and succession); Impact ofurbanization, industrialization and
f e m i n i s t m o v e m e n t s o n f a m i l y . 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 andSubstantive debate; Principles governing the
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
j u s t i c e i n s i m p l e s o c i e t i e s . 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 peasantsocieties (animism, animatism,
fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and
sciencedistinguished; magicoreligious functionaries (priest,
shaman, medicine man, sorcerer and witch).S o u r c e
: Rahul Venkat notes, Sachin Gupta notes, Brain Tree, Indian Socio-Cultural Anthropology by
Nadeem Hasnain,Telugu Academy, Target Ias notes, Vaid notes.
Approach:
1.If you decide to attempt more questions from here. It can be impressive and fetch more marks
if you haveconceptual clarity and can justify your stand with good examples.2.The definitions
here must be as per the ones in the book.3. Questions on marriage, political organization
chapter is quite direct while Kinship is largely contemporary.4. It would be impressive if you can
gather original thoughts of the thinker from their books who gave the conceptoriginally. Eg:
Radcliffe Brown on Society.5. Prepare on topics like Ethnocentrism, Formalist and Substantive
debate, types of marriages, myth vs ritual well asthey can be asked for a 10 marker.6. Collect
examples from Ember & Ember. Otherwise well-known case studies like Kula Ring system for
economicorganization,
Kwakiutl
of British Columbia, Sahlins and Service on modes of exchange, Balanced Reciprocity
amongthe tribes of Western Ghats are found in almost every book.

6. Anthropological theories:
1.
Classical evolutionism (Tylor, Morgan, and Frazer)
2.
Historical particularism (Boas); Diffusionism (British, German
and American)
3.
Functionalism (Malinowski); Structural- functionalism
(Radcliffe-Brown)
4.
Structuralism (Levi – Strauss and E. Leach)
5.
Culture and personality (Benedict, Mead, Linton, Kardiner, and
Cora – du Bois).
.
Neo-evolutionism (Childe, White, Steward, Sahlins,
and Service)
7.
Cultural materialism (Harris)
.
Symbolic and interpretive theories (Turner, Schneider, and
Geertz)
9.
Cognitive theories (Tyler, Conklin)
10.
Postmodernism in anthropologySource:
Rahul Venkat notes, Telugu Academy, Synopsis of the original book by
the thinkers, Target IAS Booklets,Ember and Ember.
Approach :
1. Spend a good amount of time here to get conceptual clarity.2. Know the thoughts,
concept provided, criticism, how useful the theory was and the area where they
worked3. There are few theories which are confusing like Structuralism and few where the
material is not adequatelyavailable. For these, you can prepare only for a 10 marker from Vivek
Bhasme Sir’s book.4. Also for those theories for which there are multiple views like Kardiner
and Linton you must know the subtledifferences.5. For the closely related theories, you must
provide a comparative analysis eg: how Malinowski and Radcliffebrown differed. Difference
between evolution and neo-evolution etc.
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:
1.
Fieldwork tradition in anthropology
2.
The distinction between technique, method, and methodology
3.
Tools of data collection: observation, interview, schedules,
questionnaire, Case study, genealogy, life-history, oral history,
secondary sources of information, participatory methods.
4.
Analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data.S o u r c e
: Vivek Bhasme, Brain Tree,IGNOU books
Approach:
1. Questions are very direct here so you need to know only what is the research methodology
about and whoused it and its criticism. Eg: Genealogical Method on Todas by W.H. Rivers
9.1 Human Genetics
–
Methods and Application: Methods for the study of genetic
principles in the man-family study (pedigree analysis, twin
study, foster child, co-twin method, cytogenetic method,
chromosomal

and karyotype analysis), biochemical methods,

immunological methods, D.N.A. technology,
and recombinanttechnologies.9.2 Mendelian genetics in the
man-family study, single factor, multifactor, lethal, sub-lethal
and polygenicinheritance in man.9.3 Concept of genetic
polymorphism and selection, Mendelian population, Hardy-
Weinberg law; causes andchanges which bring down frequency –
mutation, isolation, migration, selection, inbreeding and
geneticdrift. Consanguineous and non-consanguineous mating,
genetic load, genetic effect of consanguineous andcousin
marriages.9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in
man, methodology.
1.
Numerical and structural aberrations (disorders).
2.
Sex chromosomal aberrations – Klinefelter (XXY), Turner (XO), Super
female (XXX), intersex and others y n d r o m i c d i s o r d e r s .
3.
Autosomal aberrations – Down syndrome, Patau, Edward and
Cri-du-chat syndromes.
4.
Genetic imprints in human disease, genetic screening,
g e n e t i c c o u n s e l i n g , h u m a n D N A p r o fi l i n g , g e n e mapping, and
genome study.S o u r c e :
Only P.Nath is sufficient for entire human genetics, However for diagrams, etc you can also
look at IGNOUBook.
Approach :
1. Highly Scoring and answers are very very direct. Eg: Mendel’s four laws could be asked for
15 marks.2. All that is to be done is know 1/2 examples, structure your answer well and present
it neatly. Questions here aremostly static so this part is highly scoring.
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
r a c i a l c l a s s i fi c a t i o n , racial differentiation and race crossing
in man.Source & Approach:
1. There is a little analytical part here with respect to racism for which Telugu
Academy could be referred.2. For racial classification learn the characteristics of major
races- Mongoloid, Caucasian, Negroid.3. You can draw diagrams here for metric characters.
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 andsensory perceptions in
different cultural and socio-economic groupsSource :
Brain Tree
Approach
: I skipped this part as questions are not generally asked.
9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology. Bio-
cultural Adaptations – Genetic and Non- geneticfactors. Man’s
physiological responses to environmental stresses:
hot desert, cold, high altitude climate.S o u r c e
: Ignou, Telugu Academy , P.Nath
Approach :
1. Know who gave the concept and write the definition by Julian Steward.2.
Questions come every year on one of the above given environmental conditions for which you
must specificallywrite about their biological and cultural adaptations.3. Prepare for a 15 or 20 marker
here.
9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology: Health and disease. Infectious and
non-infectious diseases. Nutritionaldeficiency related
diseases.Approach :
1. I searched for research work done by few anthropologists. Collected a few
examples like one by Christoph vonFürer-Haimendorf on Nagas to quote them.2. I
skipped the rest as questions are not generally asked3. You can also
collect examples from XaXa committee report.
10. Concept of human growth and development: stages of
g r o w t h – p r e - n a t a l , n a t a l , i n f a n t , c h i l d h o o d , 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 growthstudies. 1 1 . 1 R e l e v a n c e
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.S o u r c e
: Brain Tree, Telugu Academy, Vivek Bhasme’s book
Approach:
1. Here generally it is asked for 10 marks so prepare short notes on each topic.2. For questions
on somatotypes, diagrams can be drawn.3. Collect case studies for topics like
menopause, adolescence from Ember and Ember.4. Draw graphs for growth studies,
demographic theory, etc.
12. Applications of Anthropology: Anthropology
o f s p o r t s , N u t r i t i o n a l a n t h r o p o l o g y , A n t h r o p o l o g y i n designing of
defense and other equipment, Forensic Anthropology, Methods and
principles of personali d e n t i fi c a t i o n a n d r e c o n s t r u c t i o n , A p p l i e d
human genetics – Paternity diagnosis, genetic counseling
a n d eugenics, DNA technology in diseases and medicine, serogenetics
and cytogenetics in reproductive biology. S o u r c e :
P.Nath
Approach :
1. This is application oriented and scoring as well.2. Case studies from Ministry of Tribal affairs
can be quoted.3. Practice diagrams from Vivek Bhasme’s book for topics like cytogenetics,
forensic anthropology, karyotypingfor paternity diagnosis

Anthropology Paper 2 – Booklist and Approach

Share this:
I am providing my booklist here for Paper 2 of Anthropology. This paper is largely application
oriented, therefore the
material/resources are also limited
. If you have understood the concepts in Paper 1 well, especially the socio-culturalpart then this
would be a cake walk.It is this paper which can either pull up or pull down your scores in
Anthropology paper.
1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization-Pre historic (Paleolithic,
Mesolithic and Neolithic), Protohistoric(Indus Civilization).Vedic and post-Vedic
beginnings. Contributions of the tribal cultures.Source:
An outline of INDIAN PREHISTORY by DK BhattacharyaAlso, notes by Sachin Gupta sir
could be referred.For conceptual clarity watch videos on e – pathshala by DK Bhattacharya.
1.2 Paleoanthropological evidence from India with special reference to Siwaliks and
Narmada basin ( Ramapithecus,Sivapithecus and Narmada Man)Source:
Anthropology Simplified by Vivek Bhasme.
1.3 Ethnoarchaeology

in India- The concept of ethnoarchaeology; Survivals and Parallels among the

hunting,foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including art and crafts
producing communitiesSource:
Video on e- pathshala for ethnoarchaeology.
Approach
1. This part is highly scoring provided you have prepared short notes on these topics
beforehand.2. Structure the answer well and draw neat diagrams.3. For ethnoarchaeology
criticism and its utility needs to be mentioned.
2 Demographic profile of India – Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their
distribution. Indianpopulation – factors influencing its structure and growth.Source:
Indian Anthropology Nadeem Hasnain
Approach:
1. I did racial classification by Guha, Herbert Risley, Sarkar.2. Know the criticism of each classification.3.
The distribution could be represented on a map.
3.1 The structure and nature of traditional Indian social system — Varnashram,
Purushartha, Karma, Rina, andRebirth.Source :
Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain .
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.Source
:1.Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain.2. Target Ias notes.3. The Dominant Caste in Rampura by
MN Srinivas.4. Future of caste system.5. Journal of Asian Studies – Caste in Modern India.6. Wiser
study on Hindu Jajmani system in 1939
Approach:
1. Collect good case studies for the given topics.2. Prepare short notes on the above topics and
answer them as questions are generally direct here.
3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature- Man- Spirit Complex.3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and
Christianity on Indian society.Source:
1.Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain.2. Vivek Bhasme sir’s book.
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.Source
: Anthropology Simplified – Vivek Bhasme
Approach:
I just read those anthropologist mentioned in this book.Prepare here for a 10/15 marker.
5.1 Indian Village: Significance of village study in India; Indian village as a social system; Traditional and
changingpatterns of settlement and inter-caste relations; Agrarian relations in Indian villages; Impact of
globalization onIndian 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.Source:
 Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain.For village studies, I referred to Ignou material and
my books on Sociology.Material on Shodhganga on sociological concepts related to
village studies.Target Ias notes.
Topics from 6 to 9.3Source
:Virginius Xaxa committee report.Tribal India by Nadeem HasnainMinistry of tribal welfare for
reports, schemes related to tribalsAnthropology Simplified – Vivek Bhasme for vague topics
and diagrams.
Approach:
1. Read the entire report of Xaxa committee then incorporate them in your notes. Use case
studies and examples from the report. Also if you are running short of time you can read the
summary of each chapter given at the end of thereport.
2. For the structure of the answer, Vivek Bhasme’s book could be referred to.