Advantages And Disadvantages Of Choosing Anthropology Optional – For IAS Examination.

On an average, about 500 candidates take up anthropology as their optional and this includes those without any background in the subject. Like any other optional, there are pros and cons if you take anthropology as your optional.Continue Reading Advantages And Disadvantages Of Choosing Anthropology Optional – For IAS Examination.

Anthropology optional advantages

• In anthropology, the questions asked are generally direct.
• It is considered scoring when compared to core humanities subjects. It is scientific in nature, so the answers can be made more appealing by diagrams and flowcharts. These save time while writing answers and also fetch marks.
• Its syllabus is relatively short. It can be completed in 4 months time if the right strategy and study material are followed.
• It is a good option for candidates with a science or engineering background and don’t wish to take their graduation subjects as their optionals.
• It is an interesting subject and easy to understand.
• The performance of this optional has been consistent unlike some other popular subjects.
• The overlap with General Studies is lesser than subjects like political science, public administration and economy, but there is a degree of overlap nevertheless.
  • Topics like society and social justice (part of GS I, II) become easier if you have studied anthropology.
  • In GS ll paper, Welfare of weaker section of society  will be covered under Tribal Development topic of Anthropology.
  • In the Essay Paper, tribal dimensions can be quoted in a better way .
  • In Ethics’s case studies, tribal issues can be better handled with the Anthropology optional.
  • In GS lll, Internal Security issue can be better understand with the Anthropology optional.
  • A good portion of biotechnology and biology will also be covered.
  • You can write answers on current events in the light of anthropology and score good marks because of a different perspective. For instance, issues like cow slaughter ban, social control, etc. can be written with an anthropological basis.

Anthropology optional disadvantages

• Guidance is limited unlike political science, geography, history, etc.
• Proper guidance is required; otherwise it takes a lot of time to complete the syllabus by self-study.
• Conceptual clarity is a must as mugging up will not help to score marks in this optional.

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