Anthropology Strategy – Anupama Anjali, IAS CSE 2017

Navigating the Anthropology Odyssey: An UPSC Aspirant's Journey

As an aspiring civil servant, Anupama's journey through the UPSC examination process was marked by a relentless pursuit of academic excellence, strategic planning, and unwavering determination. Her quest to excel in the Anthropology optional subject was a testament to her dedication and the ability to overcome challenges.

Anupama's Anthropology Triumph

In the 2017 UPSC CSE examination, Anupama secured an impressive score of 158 in Anthropology Paper 1 and 133 in Anthropology Paper 2, resulting in a total score of 291. While she had hoped for an even higher score in Paper 2, Anupama acknowledged that certain aspects of the UPSC examination process are beyond an individual's control. "Overall, my subject papers went well. However, certain things in UPSC are beyond control. All you can do is try your best!" she remarked.

Navigating the Anthropology Landscape

As an engineer by training, Anupama faced the initial hurdle of not having a strong background in Biology, which is a crucial component of the Anthropology Paper 1. To overcome this challenge, she joined the Shrinivas IAS coaching institute, where she found the guidance and support she needed to understand the physical and archaeological aspects of the subject.

"Sir helps you understand the physical and archeological portion well. However, I do suggest that you read all the books he mentions simultaneously. While attending his class I read other books and made my self notes. I also attempted his test series regularly and submitted answers to him for feedback," Anupama explained.

In addition to the Shrinivas IAS coaching, Anupama also found the L2A Coaching's test series to be extremely beneficial. She meticulously watched the paper discussion videos and incorporated the insights into her comprehensive notes. Anupama emphasized the importance of answer writing and test series, urging aspirants to treat every test as their final examination and give their absolute best.

Crafting a Comprehensive Study Strategy

Anupama recognized that a single source was not sufficient to excel in the Anthropology optional. She, therefore, adopted a multi-pronged approach, extracting valuable points from a variety of sources and meticulously compiling her own notes.

"I feel the biggest problem with this optional is that no single source is good enough. So I strongly suggest that each candidate should extract points from multiple sources and make notes. I had self notes made for almost all topics mentioned in the syllabus. I will be sharing them soon!" she shared.

Recommended Sources for Anthropology Preparation

To aid fellow UPSC aspirants, Anupama provided a detailed list of must-read sources for both Anthropology Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Anthropology Paper I

1. Braintree material: A comprehensive resource covering the essential aspects of the subject.
2. Physical Anthropology – P Nath: An authoritative text on the physical and biological components of Anthropology.
3. Anthropology Simplified – Vivek Bhasme: A valuable source for diagrams, answer structuring, and conceptual understanding.
4. Anthropology – Ember and Ember: A widely acclaimed textbook that delves into the broader aspects of the discipline.

Anthropology Paper II

1. Indian Anthropology -Nadeem Hasnain: A focused study on the anthropological landscape of India.
2. Tribal India – Nadeem Hasnain: A comprehensive exploration of India's diverse tribal communities.
3. Anthropology Simplified– Vivek Bhasme: The same resource as for Paper I, offering insights into the Indian context.
4. The Tribal Culture of India – LP Vidyarthi: An in-depth analysis of the tribal traditions and cultural dynamics in India.
5. Xaxa Report. State Society and Tribes by Virginius Xaxa: A crucial government report that provides valuable insights into the tribal communities and their interface with the state.
6. January 2014 edition of Yojana- Tribal and Marginalized Communities: A specialized issue of the Yojana magazine focusing on tribal and marginalized communities.

Interdisciplinary Connections

Anupama highlighted several areas within the Anthropology syllabus that can prove beneficial in the General Studies (GS) mains examination as well. These include:

• Geological time scale: Though rarely tested in the preliminary stage, this topic can be useful in the history and geography components of the GS mains.
• Study of prehistoric ages: This knowledge can be leveraged in the history section of the GS mains.
• Basic biology: Topics like cell, chromosomes, and cell division may occasionally appear in the preliminary stage.
• Indian social system: Concepts like caste, varna, and sanskritization are relevant to the Indian society and polity segments of the GS mains.
• Study of tribes, minorities, and SCs: This understanding can be applied to the social issues and polity portions of the GS mains.

Anupama's comprehensive approach, strategic planning, and unwavering dedication serve as an inspiration for aspiring civil servants navigating the UPSC examination landscape. Her willingness to share her insights and resources is a testament to her desire to empower and guide fellow aspirants on their own journeys to success.