Comprehensive coverage of Anthropology Optional : Classes, Class Notes, Study Material, Daily Writing Practice, Personalised Mentorship, Sectional and Mock Tests.
EDEN IAS offers Anthropology optional foundation classes with one of the best faculty for Anthropology Optional – Dr. Suresh Gurramkonda Sir for the batch of UPSC CSE 2025 -2026 The Course is of 4 to 4.5 Months duration with complete and comprehensive coverage of syllabus for both the papers. The course is available in both Online and Offline modes. We provide the complete solution for anthropology optional coaching.
About Anthropology Optional
Anthropology is considered as one of the best optional subjects in UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination. It is increasingly being chosen by many aspirants due to its ever growing popularity. The reason for its popularity ranges from the easily accessible resources for preparation to a lighter and easily understandable syllabus with high success rate prospects in exam.
Course Structure
Course Duration: 4 to 4.5 Months (105 to 120 Days)
Total Number of Classes: 84 Classes (250+ Class Hours)
Class Duration and Weekly Extent: 3 Hours, From Monday to Saturday (2.5 Hours for Class + ½ Hour for Doubt Clearing session cum Discussion of 1 PYQ)
Paper I – 48 Classes + 4 Revision tests + 1 Mock test (10 weeks)
Paper II – 30 Classes + 3 Revisions tests + 1 Mock test (6 weeks)
Special session on Case studies – 2 classes
Special session on Current Affairs – 1 class
Special Session on Answer writing - 1 class
Special session on previous year question analysis and discussion – 2 classes
Books and Material: Printed Books for both Papers and value addition material for each topic will be provided.
Syllabus coverage: Word to Word syllabus coverage as mentioned in notification. Complete coverage of syllabus in a systematic, Scientific and comprehensive manner with in stipulated time.
Current Affairs & Case Studies: Special Emphasis on how to incorporate Current Affairs & Case Studies.
Revision Tests and Answer writing Guidance: Fortnightly Revision Tests on Sundays (For every two weeks – one test) and Regular guidance for Answer writing through Class work assignments.
Personalized Guidance and Mentorship to support students on Appointment basis.
Conceptual Enrichment from plinth to paramount level.
Anthropology is a science subject – Not suitable for all aspirants.
Anthropology is an interdisciplinary subject with 4 branches, among them Physical anthropology/ Biological anthropology is just one part of anthropology. The level of biology is quite basic and should not be the sole criteria to choose or reject this optional.
All the aspirants irrespective of science background also can opt this optional without any dilemma.
Myth 2
Anthropology is a very easy optional and one can easily score 300+ by simply mugging up answers to a set of static questions.
Though it is easy to understand and learn the subject, if you do not have efficient answer writing skills and proper guidance it turns out to be a difficult optional.
While it is true that many of the questions in Anthro are repeated in the main exam, UPSC has progressively introduced certain dynamism in the questions.
Therefore, while the focus should definitely be on the recurrent questions, the preparation must be done with an open mind and non-restrictive approach – with equal emphasis on understanding the core concepts and their contemporary relevance & examples.
Myth 3
I am very poor at drawing diagrams, it’s very difficult to portray images of skulls in anthropology, therefore it’s not suitable for all aspirants etc.
TImpossible itself says I’m possible, everything depends upon your perception. If you think you can, you will. If you think you can’t you will never do it.
If you can draw the map of India in Geography or GS, then you CAN draw the human skull too. It’s all that the practice makes a man perfect. You can do it.
Myth 4
Too many tribes need to be remembered and we need to by heart all of them.
You need to remember about only some specific tribes in detail for quoting as examples of ethnographic studies, apart from this rest of the tribes should be used in writing answers as examples that’s it.
Through smart work and by remembering unique aspects you can remember them easily.
Myth 5 Terminology is very difficult to remember, so it is better to avoid it.
Every subject has some difficult areas and so is the case with anthropology also. Certain degree of unfamiliarity can be seen in some portion of terminology but same is the case with geography, Physics, psychology, etc. also. However, one should be ready for taking some challenging tasks in life and should accept such healthy risks in preparation to prove ones aptitude and competency over others.
List of Books Included in this Course
EDEN IAS | Physical / Biological Anthropology Book
EDEN IAS | Anthropological Thoughts & Theories Book
EDEN IAS |Socio Cultural Anthropology Book
Related Course
Best Anthropology Daily Answer Writing Program
The course comprises 40 Micro Sectional tests (23 for Paper I & 17 for Paper II), 4 Revision sectional mock tests, and 1 Full-length syllabus Mock test.
