IAS Mains Anthropology 2023 Expected Questions for 2023 Exam

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  1. Levirate and Sororate
  2. Hypergamy
  3. Marriage system in traditional Nayar society
  4. Endogamy VS Exogamy
  5. Ways of acquiring mates in tribal societies
  6. Discuss the various types of rules of descent, giving suitable examples.
  7. What are descent groups? Describe different forms of descent groups.
  8. Complementary Filiation
  9. Kinship Terminology – classification
  10. “It is the universality of Incest Taboo that gives rise to alliance systems” . Explain
  11. Types of Kinship Terminology systems.
  12. Nature of Kinship
  13. Bilateral Descent
  14. Unilineal Descent
  15. Relevance of economic anthropology
  16. Describe the debate between formalism and Substantivism
  17. What is the impact of globalization on indigenous economic systems
  18. Discuss the various systems of exchange
  19. Nature of simple economic systems
  20. Nature of production, distribution and exchange in societies subsisting on
  21. hunting and gathering.
  22. Describe the different types of political systems, giving examples. 40
  23. Nature of power, authority and legitimacy 30
  24. Nature, functions and types of social control. 30
  25. Nature of social control in modern societies 15
  26. Nature of law and justice in primitive societies 30
  27. Primitive Law Vs Modern Law 15
  28. “Monotheism and Polytheism are not distinct but a part of a larger continuum” . Explain 30
  29. Sacred VS Profane 30 Marks
  30. What is religion? Describe the various forms of religion found in tribal and peasant societies. 30
  31. What are myths? Discuss the functional significance of myths in religion. 30
  32. What are rituals? Discuss different types of rituals. What do you
  33. think is the relationship between myths and rituals? 40
  34. What are the differences in nature of religion and magic? 30
  35. Magic and Science 15
  36. Types of Magic 30
  37. Religion from a functional perspective 30
  38. Magic, witchcraft and sorcery 15
  39. Shaman and Priest in religion 15
  40. Religion as a psychological phenomenon 15
  41. Discuss the anthropological school of Classical Evolutionism. Add a note on its contributions to the general discipline of anthropology. 40
  42. What are the general provisions of anthropological school of Diffusionism? Describe the differences in various traditions of Diffusionism. 40
  43. What is Neo Evolutionism? In what way is this school of thought different from its Classical counterpart? 30
  44. Discuss the anthropological school of Cultural Materialism. 30
  45. Discuss the general postulates, methodology and contributions of Historical Particularism in anthropology. 40
  46. Discuss the contributions of various anthropologists to the culture and personality school.
  47. Post Modernism in Anthropology 15
  48. Cognitive Theories in Anthropology 30
  49. What is functionalism? In what way is this theory different from structural functionalism? 40
  50. Discuss the contributions of Claude Levi Strauss and Edmund Leach to school of Structuralism. 40
  51. Biological and Cultural Factors in Human Evolution – 30
  52. Describe the salient features of Lamarckism and Darwinism.In what way do you think these two approaches to evolution are different? 40
  53. Discuss the Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution 30
  54. Parallelism and Convergence
  55. Doctrine of Irreversibility of Evolution
  56. Reproductive Isolation and Speciation
  57. Natural Selection
  58. Homology and Analogy
  59. Adaptive Radiation in Primates
  60. Describe the Primate Evolutionary Trends while highlighting their significance.
  61. Comparative Anatomy of Apes and Man.
  62. Critically evaluate the skeletal changes and other adaptations that have
  63. Describe the Primate Evolutionary Trends while highlighting their significance.
  64. Comparative Anatomy of Apes and Man.
  65. Critically evaluate the skeletal changes and other adaptations that have
  66. Primate Behavior
  67. Describe major primate taxa
  68. Discuss the distribution, general characteristics and phylogenetic status of Australopithecines
  69. Discuss the distribution, general characteristics and phylogenetic status of Neanderthals.
  70. Discuss the distribution, general characteristics and phylogenetic status of Homo erectus.
  71. Homo heidelbergensis.
  72. Australopithecus VS Paranthropus
  73. Java Man VS Peking Man
  74. Cro-Magnon Man
  75. Mitosis VS Meiosis
  76. DNA Replication
  77. Protein Synthesis
  78. Structure and Function of DNA
  79. Gene Mutation
  80. Chromosomes
  81. Describe the method of Pedigree Analysis and its significance.
  82. Discuss the Twin Method in human genetics. Add a note on the viability of this method and concerns therein.
  83. Cytogenetic Method in human genetics.
  84. Foster Child Method
  85. What is DNA technology? What are its various applications?
  86. Multifactor Hypothesis and Polygenetic Inheritance
  87. Lethal Gene Action
  88. What is Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium? What are the factors that affect this equilibrium?
  89. What is inbreeding? What do you think are the genetic consequences of inbreeding on human populations?
  90. How do you situate Anthropology in Social Sciences? (10Marks 2013)
  91. Linguistic Anthropology (10Marks 2013)
  92. Carbon-14 method of dating (10Marks 2013)
  93. Role of Primatology in Anthropological studies. (10 Marks 2013)
  94. Give a broad outline of Patheolithic culture emphasizing upon its tool technology (20 Marks 2013)
  95. Discuss how Neo-Darwinism integrated the fields of Genetics and Evolution (20 Marks 2013)
  96. How natural selection acts on variation (200 Words)
  97. Adaptive radiation in context of evolution (200 Words)
  98. Compare and contrast the skull of Gorilla and man (400 Words)
  99. Discuss the typology and distribution of upper Paleolithic culture in India (20Marks 2012)
  100. Comment briefly on the phylogenetic position of Australopithecines (10Marks 2012)
  101. Synthetic theory (15 Marks – 2011)
  102. Write Short Notes – 200 Words
  103. Neanderthal Man (15 Marks – 2011)
  104. Importance of chronology in prehistory (15 Marks – 2010)
  105. Man is a Primate. Discuss (30 Marks – 2011)
  106. Describe major skeletal similarities & differences between Home Erectus & Homo Sapiens 30 Marks – 2011
  107. What are the major craniofacial changes that occurred during Hominid evolution? Discuss. (30 Marks – 2010)
  108. Critically examine the synthetic theory of human evolution (30 Marks – 2010)
  109. Distinguish between major categories of Australopithecines. How are Australopithecines different from Apes? (30 Marks – 2009)
  110. The upper Paleolithic period provides evidence of their co-existence with modern man. Discuss. (30 Marks – 2008)
  111. Discuss the modem theory of evolution with special reference to the concepts of gradualism and punctuationalism. (400 Words)
  112. Write Short Notes (200 Words) :
    1. Rhodesia Man
    2. Lower Paleolithic Culture
    3. Protein Synthesis
  113. Describe the range of locomotive behavior of contemporary non-human primates and state how does this help in understanding the Structural – functional correlations of their limb structure.
  114. Discuss the relationship of Anthropology with psychology and medicine.
  115. Describe any chalcolithic site in India with particular reference to industry and town planning (200 Words)
  116. ‘Neolithic is a self – sufficient food producing economy’ critically examine this expression. (200 Words)
  117. ‘Man can stand erect while anthropoid apes cannot’ . Discuss the anatomical changes that occurred in Man due to erect posture. (250 Words)
  118. ‘Man can stand erect while anthropoid apes cannot’ . Discuss the anatomical changes that occurred in Man due to erect posture. (250 Words)
  119. Discuss the geographic distribution and taxonomic issues concerning early hominids. Elucidate evidence in support of alternative positions. (250 Words)
  120. Discuss primate locomotion with special reference to adaptation to arboreal life. (250 Words)
  121. Discuss the single source Vs multiple sources of the origin of Homo sapiens. Which one of the two hypotheses do you think is more tenable? Give reasons in support of your answer. (250 Words)
  122. Why is the Neolithic phase of culture in Europe called revolution? Describe its distinctive features. (250 Words)
  123. What is Synthetic Theory of Evolution? Discuss how this theory helps us in understanding the evolutionary mechanism. How Darwinism differs from the synthetic theory of organic evolution? (400 Words)
  124. Discuss the similarities and differences between Chimpanzee & Man in salient physical and anatomical characteristics. (250 Words)
  125. How do you situate Anthropology in Social Sciences?
  126. Various types of descent
  127. Totemism
  128. Linguistic Anthropology
  129. Carbon-14 method of dating.
  130. In what ways is Functionalism different from Structural Functionalism? (350 words, 20 marks)
  131. Bring out the contribution of Turner and Geertz in symbolic and interpretive theories in Anthropology. (250 words, 15 works)
  132. Point out the differences in the concepts of classical evolution and neo-evolutionism in socio-cultural anthropology. Which stage of Prehistoric culture is known as Cultural Revolution and why? 30 marks
  133. Discuss the relation between culture and personality. 30 marks
  134. Why has the concept of Cultural Relativism been so dear to anthropologists? 250 words
  135. Bring out the distinguishing features of Culture and Civilization. 250 words
  136. What are the bases of social stratification? Discuss with examples. 250 words
  137. Explain the concept of “Status” and “Role” in anthropology. 250 words
  138. Where do you situate the “live-in” relationship within the institution of marriage? (250 words)
  139. Discuss the impact of urbanization and feminist movement on family. 250 words
  140. Do you agree with the view that family is a “universal association” . Critically examine. (250 words)
  141. Critically comment on the forces and factors that have brought about changes in the family structure in recent times. 250 words
  142. Describe the types of kinship groups formed on the basis of different principles. 250 words
  143. What factors are responsible for bringing about variation in residence of different societies? Explain how kinship influences man՚s social life. 250 words
  144. Write a note on forms of descent groups. 200 words
  145. Discuss the distinguishing features of Unilineal, bilineal and bilateral kin groups with suitable examples. 300 words
  146. Differentiate economics and economic anthropology. 150 words
  147. Critically examine the debate between formalists and substantivists. 300 words
  148. Discuss the impact of globalization on tribal economy. 350 words
  149. How does taboo serve as a means of social control? 250 words
  150. “Primitive society is governed by traditional customary law” . Do you agree with this statement? Explain 350 words
  151. Write a short note on following in 200 words each:
  152. Ways of acquiring spouse in simpler societies
  153. Bands and tribal societies
  154. Chiefdom in tribal society
  155. Distinguish between Religion, Magic and Science. 350 words
  156. Critically examine the historical particularistic approach of Franz Boas to study of culture. 350 words
  157. Define “culture area” . How did it help the American diffusionists to understand diffusion of culture? 250 words
  158. Write a note in 200 words on following
  159. Witchcraft and sorcery.
  160. Post modernism in anthropology
  161. etic and emic approach
  162. State the theories regarding the origin of spoken languages both from biological and cultural view. 350 words
  163. What are the tools of data collection? Discuss about the types of tolls of collection. 350 words
  164. Explain various anthropological approaches to study religion. 250 words
  165. Write a note on following in 200 words each:
    1. Cultural materialism
    2. Major criticism of the theory of “structuralism” by Claude Levi-Strauss
    3. Fieldwork tradition in anthropology
    4. Systemic, stratified and multistage sampling