Here are all 23 Political Organization and Social Control questions asked in UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper I from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 3 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.
4.1] Band, tribe, chiefdom, kingdom and state
9 questions
Write a short note on: Authority and forms of political organization. [2024/10m/150w/5d]
Mention the characteristic features of band with suitable examples. [2017/15m/3b]
Differentiate between State and Stateless Societies. [2014/10m/4c]
Write a short note on: Band and Tribal societies. [2012/12m/150w/5c]
Write a short note on: Chiefdom in tribal society. [2009/20m/200w/1d]
Describe the evolution of political systems. [2006/60m/R8]
Discuss the relationship of ethnicity and nation-state. [2005/60m/R14]
Write a short note on: Nation State. [2002/20m/R8]
Differentiate between centralized political systems and stateless political systems, and state how law and justice are administered in stateless societies. [1996/50m/R13]
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4 questions
How do the concepts of power, authority, legitimacy and social control change with changing political organization? Discuss in detail giving suitable examples. [2026/20m/3a]
Write a short note on: Authority and forms of political organization. [2024/10m/150w/5d]
How do political organisations of simple societies establish power, authority and legitimacy? [2021/20m/3a]
How is the construct of power linked to the notion of conspicuous consumption and its impact on distributive justice? [2020/15m/4c]
4.3] Social control, law and justice in simple societies
10 questions
How do the concepts of power, authority, legitimacy and social control change with changing political organization? Discuss in detail giving suitable examples. [2026/20m/3a]
Write a short note on: Customary laws and Environmental conservation. [2023/10m/150w/1d]
Discuss the mechanism of social control in different kinds of political systems. [2022/20m/6a]
How does customary law function in the tribal society? Discuss its different sources. [2018/15m/2b]
Discuss different social control mechanisms in simple societies. [2016/15m/3b]
Discuss the nature of Law and Justice in simple societies citing suitable examples. [2014/20m/3a]
How does taboo serve as a means of social control? [2013/15m/250w/4c]
Discuss mechanisms of social control in simple societies citing suitable examples. [2007/60m/R9]
‘Primitive society is governed by the traditional customary law.’ Do you agree with this statement? Explain. [1998/50m/5]
Differentiate between centralized political systems and stateless political systems, and state how law and justice are administered in stateless societies. [1996/50m/R13]
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Last updated: 30 October 2026