Here are all 40 Demographic Profile of India questions asked in UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper II from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 2 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.
Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.
2.1] Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their distribution
27 questions
Write a short note on: Dravidian language family and its tribal speakers. [2026/10m/150w/1a]
Why the classifications of Indian populations, based on somatometric and somatoscopic characteristics failed to develop a common understanding of the population diversity? [2026/15m/4b]
Delineate the major features of S. S. Sarkar’s classification of Indian populations. Was his classification better than Risley? Explain. [2025/15m/2b]
Critically compare Risley’s and Sarkar’s approaches to the classification of peoples of India. [2023/15m/4b]
Write a short note on: Dravidian languages and their subgroups. [2023/10m/150w/5d]
Describe the methods adopted by Sir Herbert Hope Risley in classifying Indian populations. What are the criticisms against Risley’s classification? [2022/15m/3c]
Write a short note on: Austroasiatic languages. [2022/10m/150w/5e]
Write a short note on: Dravidian languages. [2020/10m/150w/1d]
Elucidate the linguistic classification of Indian tribes. [2020/15m/2c]
Write a short note on: Distribution of Tibeto-Burman group of languages in India. [2019/10m/150w/1c]
Write a short note on: Endangered Languages. [2018/10m/150w/1c]
Write a short note on: Austro-asiatic linguistic groups in India. [2017/10m/150w/1b]
Linguistic elements in Indian population. [2016/10m/150w/1b]
Give a critical assessment of ‘Negrito Problem’ in India. [2016/15m/3b]
Briefly describe the classical models of ethnic and linguistic classification of Indian population. Discuss its relevance today. [2015/15m/2b]
Write a short note on: Major linguistic divisions of India. [2014/10m/150w/1d]
Outline the distribution of Dravidian languages in India and describe their cultural significance. [2014/15m/4c]
Write a short note on: Linguistic classification of Indian tribes. [2013/10m/150w/5e]
Describe the linguistic elements in Indian population. [2011/15m/2b]
Discuss the relevance of Guha’s racial classification in the context of India’s ethnic groups. [2010/15m/2b]
Write a short note on: The distribution of Indo-Aryan Languages. [2008/20m/200w/1b]
Is Risley’s Racial Classification of Indian population valid? Critically discuss with the help of suitable examples. [2008/60m/2]
Write a short note on: Mediterranean Element in Indian population. [2008/20m/200w/5a]
Describe ethnic elements in the Indian population focussing either on Risley’s or Guha’s classification. [2007/60m/R8]
Write a short note on: Linguistic distribution of Indian Population. [2006/20m/R3]
Write a short note on: Negrito elements in India. [2000/20m/200w/1a]
Discuss the major linguistic divisions in the Indian population. Also point out the role of language in ethno-political movements. [1996/60m/R9]
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13 questions
Elucidate the role of demographic and social factors for population growth in India. [2025/15m/4b]
What are the demographic challenges of India’s changing population dynamics in the next 50 years? [2024/15m/4c]
Delineate the factors influencing fertility in Indian population. [2021/15m/6c]
What are the various factors influencing population growth in India? Discuss. [2018/15m/4b]
Give your assessment of the reasons for the imbalance in the sex-ratio in India. [2017/20m/8a]
Critically examine the factors responsible for the high population growth in India and suggest suitable measures for population control. [2010/45m/2a]
Write in brief ‘Population Growth in India indicating causes and measures of its control’. [2006/60m/R9]
Write a short note on: Demographic transition in India. [2004/20m/R2]
Bring out the interrelationship between population growth and development in the Indian context. [2004/60m/R9]
Write a short note on: Age specific and sex specific mortality rates and dependent factor. [2002/20m/R1]
Critically evaluate the Indian Population Policies. Suggest appropriate measures for its improvement. [1997/60m/4]
Write a short note on: Child mortality in rural India. [1996/20m/R2]
Write a short note on: Social implication of sex-ratio in Indian population. [1995/20m/R1]
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Last updated: 30 October 2026