by The UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 is one of the most sought-after choices among aspirants due to its concise syllabus and high scoring potential. Anthropology offers a scientific approach, clear concepts, and overlaps with General Studies and Essay, making it an attractive subject for both science and humanities background students.
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 Overview
Anthropology as an optional subject is chosen by hundreds of UPSC candidates every year. It deals with human evolution, society, tribal studies, and socio-cultural development, making it both interesting and relevant for the civil services exam.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Subject | Anthropology |
| Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Paper Type | Descriptive (Subjective) |
| Number of Papers | 2 (Paper I & Paper II) |
| Total Marks | 500 (250 each) |
| Overlap with GS | GS Paper I, II, and III (Society, Polity, Governance, Tribal Issues) |
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 Download PDF
The UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 PDF download will be available on the UPSC website after the Mains exam. Candidates can use these papers for practice and trend analysis. Solving both Paper I and Paper II is crucial to understand the weightage of topics and the framing of questions.
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 1 2025 Download PDF
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2 2025 Download PDF
Steps to Download UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025
Candidates can easily download the official Anthropology Optional Paper PDF by following a few simple steps. Practicing from official UPSC PDFs ensures authenticity and accuracy of the questions.
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Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
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Go to the Examination tab.
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Click on Previous Question Papers.
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Choose Civil Services (Main) Examination.
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Select Anthropology Optional from the list.
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Download Paper I and Paper II PDFs for reference.
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper Exam Pattern 2025
The UPSC Anthropology Optional Exam Pattern 2025 includes two papers of 250 marks each. Paper I covers human evolution, biological anthropology, and social anthropology, while Paper II deals with Indian society, tribal issues, and applications of anthropology.
| Paper | Coverage | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Human Evolution, Biological Anthropology, Social Anthropology | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Paper II | Indian Society, Tribal Anthropology, Applied Anthropology | 250 | 3 Hours |
| Total | – | 500 | – |
UPSC Anthropology Optional Booklist 2025
Choosing the right books is crucial for scoring well in the UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025. Standard references and concise study material help aspirants build strong conceptual clarity.
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Paper I Books
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Physical Anthropology by P. Nath
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An Introduction to Social Anthropology by D.N. Majumdar & T. N. Madan
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Anthropology Simplified by Vivek Bhasme (for quick revision)
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Paper II Books
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Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain
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Tribal India by Nadeem Hasnain
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IGNOU Anthropology Notes (very useful for Paper II)
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UPSC Anthropology Optional Success Rate 2025
The success rate of Anthropology optional has consistently remained high compared to many other optional subjects. Its short syllabus, direct questions, and diagram-based answers make it a favorite among toppers.
| Year | Candidates Appeared | Recommended Candidates | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 880 | 94 | 10.7% |
| 2021 | 815 | 86 | 10.5% |
| 2022 | 790 | 82 | 10.3% |
| 2023 | 775 | 81 | 10.4% |
| 2024 (Expected) | 800+ | – | ~10% (Estimated) |
With an average success rate of around 10%, Anthropology ranks among the most reliable UPSC optionals.
Preparation Tips for UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025
To prepare effectively for UPSC Anthropology Optional 2025, candidates should adopt a strategy that balances conceptual clarity with answer writing practice.
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Understand Basics: Begin with NCERTs and IGNOU notes to strengthen fundamentals.
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Use Diagrams: Draw neat diagrams and flowcharts in answers to fetch higher marks.
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Link Current Affairs: Relate tribal issues, government policies, and schemes in Paper II answers.
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Revise Regularly: Keep short notes for quick revision before exams.
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Practice PYQs: Solve at least 10 years of previous question papers for better accuracy.
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 FAQs
Q1. How many papers are there in UPSC Anthropology optional?
There are two papers – Paper I and Paper II, each of 250 marks.
Q2. Is Anthropology a scoring optional in UPSC?
Yes, UPSC Anthropology Optional 2025 is considered one of the most scoring optionals due to its concise syllabus and high success rate.
Q3. Does Anthropology overlap with GS papers?
Yes, it overlaps with GS Paper I (Society), GS Paper II (Tribal Policies), and GS Paper III (Social Issues & Development).
Q4. Who should choose Anthropology optional?
It is suitable for both science and humanities students, especially those interested in human evolution, tribal studies, and social development.
Q5. What is the average success rate of Anthropology optional?
The average success rate is around 10%, which is higher than many other UPSC optional subjects.
