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Anthropology Optional – Other Questions Outside the Present Syllabus (1995–2026)

These 11 questions from UPSC Anthropology Optional papers (1995–2026) fall outside the present syllabus of their paper – mostly from papers set on the older syllabus. We keep them here for completeness.

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.

Paper I

10 questions

  1. Discuss the concept of people’s participation in planned development. [2005/60m/R13]

  2. Explain the concept of sustainable development with reference to development and rehabilitation. [2004/60m/R13]

  3. Write a short note on: Displacement and Rehabilitation. [2001/20m/R8]

  4. What is planning from below? Critically assess the role of anthropology towards implementing sustainable development. [2000/60m/4]

  5. Write a short note on: Action anthropology. [1999/25m/200w/1a]

  6. Critically examine the anthropological approaches to planning and socioeconomic development among the weaker sections of the Indian society, highlighting the issues of macro-planning in anthropology. [1997/50m/5]

  7. Write a short note on: Transactionalism. [1997/25m/200w/11c]

  8. Why are gender studies gaining importance these days? Assess the contribution of anthropology to gender studies. [1996/50m/R18]

  9. Write a short note on: Action anthropology. [1995/25m/R1]

  10. What is sustainable development? How does anthropology help attain sustainable development in the tribal communities in India? [1995/50m/R20]

Paper II

1 question

  1. What are the ethical concerns in biological and socio-cultural anthropology because of recent advances in AI and genetic research? [2024/20m/4a]

Cover of UPSC Prelims Topic-wise PYQs eBook with detailed explanations

From the Optional Province team

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Our UPSC Prelims Topic-wise PYQ eBook covers every Prelims question with detailed explanations, so you can see exactly where UPSC asks from.

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Cover of UPSC Mains Topic-wise and Year-wise PYQs eBook (2013–2026)

From the Optional Province team

Strengthen your GS papers

Our UPSC Mains Topic-wise & Year-wise PYQ eBook (2013–2026) maps every GS question to the syllabus, so you know what UPSC asks and how often.

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Last updated: 30 October 2026