The UPSC Civil Services Mains examination is a marathon, not a sprint. By the time aspirants reach the Anthropology optional papers, they have already battled through Essay and four GS papers. Mental exhaustion is natural. Yet, the optional subject often acts as the final rank-decider.
For Anthropology students, La Excellence’s Sudheer Sir emphasizes that the last five days before the optional should not be about learning new material but about sharp revision, answer presentation, and exam hall strategy. Based on his guidance, here is a comprehensive roadmap for making the best use of these crucial days.
Why the Last 5 Days Matter?
Anthropology is considered one of the most scoring optionals due to its concise syllabus, scientific nature, and scope for diagrams. But marks don’t just depend on knowledge—they depend on:
- How you present answers
- Use of anthropological orientation (keywords, scholars, diagrams, case studies)
- Ability to attempt all 20 questions under time pressure
Sudheer Sir reminds students: “At this stage, revision > new study. Keywords > depth. Balance Paper I & II. Practice > passive reading.”
Day-Wise 5-Day Anthropology Plan
Day 1 – Theories and Thinkers (Paper-I Backbone)
- Revise schools of thought: Evolutionism, Historical Particularism, Functionalism, Structuralism, Cultural Materialism, Postmodernism.
- Key Anthropologists: Tylor, Morgan, Boas, Malinowski, Radcliffe-Brown, Lévi-Strauss, Harris, Geertz, Appadurai.
- Prepare one-liner quotes or keywords for each scholar.
- Revise diagrams:
- Evolution of family (Morgan, Bachofen)
- Theories of religion (animism, animatism, functional view)
- Views of culture (superorganic vs symbolic vs instrumental)
Tip: Make a “theory–thinker chart” for quick dump in answers.
Day 2 – Physical Anthropology & Methods
- Revise hominid evolution, fossils, and primates → focus on chronology + key features.
- Race and genetics → avoid depth, just revise diagrams and classifications.
- Research Methods: Participant observation (Malinowski), Comparative method, Genealogical method, Fieldwork tradition in India (N.K. Bose, L.P. Vidyarthi, Irawati Karve).
Trap to avoid: Spending too long on human evolution. Stick to flowcharts + fossils timeline.
Day 3 – Indian Anthropology (Paper-II Core)
- Revise caste, tribe, caste–tribe continuum (N.K. Bose, L.P. Vidyarthi), Sanskritization & Westernization (M.N. Srinivas), Dominant caste, Ethnicity, Peasant studies.
- Tribal issues: FRA 2006, PESA Act, displacement (Narmada, Santhal Pargana), North-East ethnicities.
- Case studies:
- S.C. Dube – Gonds
- F.G. Bailey – Orissa
- Verrier Elwin – Baiga & Bondo
- L.P. Vidyarthi – Sacred Complex
- André Béteille – Caste & class
Pro Tip: Insert Indian ethnographic examples even in generic theory-based answers.
Day 4 – Practice + Value Addition
- Revise PYQs of last 3–4 years and practice structuring both 10M and 20M answers.
- Practice drawing 3–4 diagrams from memory: kinship charts, caste–tribe continuum, economic exchange models (Polanyi), tribal distribution map of India.
- Memorize 10–12 Indian anthropologists and their works for Paper II.
- Hot topics: Globalization and tribes, Applied anthropology, Anthropology & development, Human rights.
Framework: Intro → Body (headings + diagrams + scholars + examples) → Conclusion (link to contemporary issue).
Day 5 – Light Revision + Mental Calibration
- Morning: Flip through your self-made short notes (not bulky books).
- Afternoon: Write 2 timed answers to stay exam-ready.
- Evening: Light recall of definitions, diagrams, and case studies.
- Night: Relax—mental freshness matters more than last-minute cramming.
Sudheer Sir’s mantra: “Go to the exam hall with clarity, not clutter.”
Answer Writing Strategies (Sudheer Sir’s Golden Rules)
1. Intro–Body–Conclusion Framework
- Intro: Define the concept, give a scholar’s quote, or link to PYQ.
- Body: Use headings and subheadings; support with diagrams, examples, and scholars.
- Conclusion: Link to contemporary relevance (globalization, FRA 2006, AI, environment).
Even average content looks polished when structured well.
2. Diagrams & Flowcharts = Instant Marks
Anthropology is a visual subject. Use simple but relevant diagrams in every answer:
- Evolution of man (fossil chronology)
- Kinship charts (cross-cousin, parallel-cousin, matrilineal)
- Marriage alliance flowcharts (Lévi-Strauss)
- Economic exchange (reciprocity, redistribution, market)
- Tribe–caste continuum diagrams
Rule: At least one diagram per page. Even rough sketches fetch 1–2 extra marks.
3. Drop Scholar Names Everywhere
Examiners reward anthropological orientation. Examples:
- Culture is learned → Ruth Benedict
- Gift exchange → Marcel Mauss
- Tribal integration → N.K. Bose
- Sacred Complex → L.P. Vidyarthi
Target: 1 scholar in 10M answers, 2–3 in 20M answers.
4. Case Studies = Game Changer
Paper II thrives on case studies. Examples:
- FRA 2006 & Dongria Kondh (Niyamgiri hills)
- Narmada dam displacement & Santhal Pargana
- Ashram schools – Verrier Elwin
- Peasant politics – F.G. Bailey
Even generic answers should carry one Indian example.
5. Balance Paper I & Paper II
Many aspirants over-focus on Paper I. Sudheer Sir stresses that Paper II is often more scoring because of rich ethnographic content.
- Paper I: Theories + Physical anthropology
- Paper II: Indian anthropology + case studies + contemporary issues
Anchor every Paper II answer with anthropological orientation (scholars, ethnography, keywords).
Exam Hall Mindset
Sudheer Sir emphasizes that mindset makes or breaks Anthropology optional.
- Attempt All Questions
Even half-answers with diagrams fetch marks. Skipping = zero. - Choose Wisely
Attempt analytical questions if possible—they are less attempted but fetch higher rewards. - Time Allocation
- 10M = 7–8 minutes
- 20M = 11–12 minutes
- Leave last 10 minutes for quick completion.
- Value Addition
- 2–3 scholars in every answer.
- 1 diagram per page.
- At least one case study (Indian if possible).
- Presentation
- Clear handwriting, proper spacing.
- Headings + subheadings for visibility.
- Conclude with relevance to current issues.
Quick Last-Minute Arsenal (The “10–10–10 Rule”)
Before entering the exam hall, keep ready:
- 10 Definitions (Culture – Tylor, Tribe – Dube, Kinship – Murdock, Religion – Durkheim, etc.)
- 10 Diagrams (practiced at least once from memory).
- 10 Case Studies (Vidyarathi – Sacred Complex, Elwin – Baiga, Srinivas – Dominant Caste, etc.).
This ensures you are never short of content, no matter what the question.
Final Call:
Anthropology optional is not about how much you know—it’s about how well you present what you know in anthropological language. The final 5 days are for sharpening recall, practicing diagrams, rehearsing answer frameworks, and maintaining exam stamina.
As Sudheer Sir from La Excellence advises: “In the exam hall, every answer must look anthropological—rich with diagrams, scholars, and case studies. Attempt all 20 questions. Presentation is half the battle, mindset is the other half.”
For more such preparation strategies, you can read here: https://laex.in/category/preparation-strategy/
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