Overview
The MAARG Anthropology Optional Mentorship is a structured 180-day plan for the UPSC Anthropology optional: 75 days for Paper I, 75 days for Paper II and 30 days of consolidated revision with a full test plan. Every day has a clear topic and a daily practice question (DPP), so the syllabus is covered in small, trackable steps.
Plan at a glance
| Phase | Days | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Paper I | Days 1 to 75 | Foundations and core concepts: biological, genetic, archaeological, social and cultural anthropology, theory and applied anthropology |
| Phase 2: Paper II | Days 76 to 150 | Indian society and tribal India: prehistoric India, caste and social structure, tribes and tribal issues |
| Phase 3: Consolidated revision | Days 151 to 180 | Daily revision of both papers, full-length tests, analysis and final readiness |
How a day, a week and a month work
- Every day: one micro-topic and one daily practice question (DPP).
- Every week: a revision day that closes the week with a 15-marker answer.
- The revision model: a Day-3 micro cycle, a weekly review and a monthly consolidation (see the Revision Model tab).
Related courses and resources
For tests, see the Anthropology Optional Test Series. For another optional-subject mentorship, see the Sociology Optional Mentorship or the PSIR Optional Mentorship.
180-Day Roadmap
Revision Model
The MAARG Spaced Repetition Revision Model works on three layers: a Day-3 micro cycle, a weekly review and a monthly consolidation. Each layer targets a different kind of memory.
| Layer | When | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Day-3 micro cycle | Every third day | Look back over the notes, flowcharts and diagrams of the preceding 48 hours, to consolidate short-term memory before it fades |
| 2. The weekly review | Day 7, 14, 21 and so on | A dedicated day closing the week: connect micro-topics and write a high-stakes 15-marker answer to simulate exam pressure |
| 3. The monthly consolidation | Each month | Review the whole month's content in order, to spot the evolutionary, cultural or social patterns that link different chapters |
The aim of the layering is to hold complex anthropological theories and detailed data in memory.
Paper I Daily Plan
Paper I (Days 1 to 75) builds the foundations and core concepts: biological anthropology, genetics, prehistoric archaeology, social and cultural anthropology, theory and applied anthropology. Every day has one topic and one daily practice question (DPP), and every week ends with a revision day and a 15-marker answer.
Week 1 covers basic concepts. The day-by-day plan below starts at Week 3.
Week 3 (Days 15 to 21: primatology)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D15 | Primates: characteristics | Primate traits |
| D16 | Primate adaptations: arboreal | Arboreal adaptations |
| D17 | Primate behaviour: social | Primate behaviour |
| D18 | Primate taxonomy: major groups | Taxonomy |
| D19 | Comparative anatomy: man versus apes | Anatomical differences |
| D20 | Bipedalism: skeletal changes | Erect posture |
| D21 | Weekly revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 4 (Days 22 to 28: the fossil record)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D22 | Australopithecus: South and East Africa | Explain australopithecines |
| D23 | Homo erectus: African fossils | Discuss Homo erectus |
| D24 | Homo erectus: Asian fossils | Java and Peking man |
| D25 | Neanderthal: La Chapelle | Discuss Neanderthal |
| D26 | Rhodesian man: characteristics | Explain Rhodesian man |
| D27 | Homo sapiens: Cro-Magnon and Grimaldi | Early sapiens |
| D28 | Weekly revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 5 (Days 29 to 35: genetic blueprints)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D29 | Cell biology: structure | Explain the cell |
| D30 | DNA: structure | DNA replication |
| D31 | Protein synthesis: genetic coding | Protein synthesis |
| D32 | Gene mutation: types | Discuss mutation |
| D33 | Chromosomes: structure and function | Explain chromosomes |
| D34 | Cell division: mitosis and meiosis | Discuss cell division |
| D35 | Weekly revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 6 (Days 36 to 42: prehistoric archaeology)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D36 | Prehistoric archaeology: meaning and scope | Explain prehistoric archaeology |
| D37 | Dating methods: relative | Discuss relative dating |
| D38 | Dating methods: absolute | Explain carbon dating |
| D40 | Mesolithic: cultural features | Explain the Mesolithic |
| D41 | Neolithic: agricultural revolution | Discuss the Neolithic |
| D42 | Metal Ages: Chalcolithic, Bronze and Iron | Explain the Metal Ages |
Week 7 (Days 43 to 49: culture and society)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D43 | Culture: the concept | Explain culture |
| D44 | Civilisation versus culture | Discuss differences |
| D45 | Ethnocentrism | Explain the concept |
| D46 | Cultural relativism | Discuss its importance |
| D47 | Society: the concept | Explain society |
| D48 | Social groups | Discuss types |
| D49 | Stratification | Hierarchy |
Week 8 (Days 50 to 56: marriage, family and kinship)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D50 | Marriage: definition | Explain universality |
| D51 | Laws: endogamy and exogamy | Discuss the laws |
| D52 | Types: monogamy and polygamy | Explain types |
| D53 | Regulations | Preferential marriage |
| D54 | Marriage payments: dowry | Explain payments |
| D55 | Family: types and functions | Discuss family |
| D56 | Kinship: descent and clan | Explain kinship |
Week 9 (Days 57 to 63: economic and political anthropology)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D57 | Economic anthropology | Explain its scope |
| D58 | The formalist debate | The economic debate |
| D59 | Production: hunter-gatherers | Subsistence |
| D60 | Exchange: reciprocity | Discuss exchange |
| D61 | Political organisation: band and tribe | Political systems |
| D62 | Authority and power | Discuss authority |
| D63 | Social control and law | Explain social control |
Week 10 (Days 64 to 70: religion and theory)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D64 | Religion: anthropological approaches | Explain religion |
| D65 | Religious forms: animism and totemism | Tribal religion |
| D66 | Magic and science: the debate | Explain magic |
| D67 | Functionaries: shaman and priest | Religious roles |
| D68 | Classical evolutionism: Tylor and Morgan | Evolutionism |
| D69 | Functionalism: Malinowski and Radcliffe-Brown | Functionalism |
| D70 | Structuralism: Levi-Strauss | Structuralism |
Week 11 (Days 71 to 75: genetics, ecology and applied anthropology)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D71 | Genetic methods: pedigree and twins | Explain the methods |
| D72 | Population genetics: Hardy-Weinberg | Population genetics |
| D73 | Chromosomal disorders: Down syndrome | Disorders |
| D74 | Ecological anthropology: adaptation | Ecological anthropology |
| D75 | Applied anthropology: forensic and sports | Explain applied anthropology |
Paper II Daily Plan
Paper II (Days 76 to 150, numbered D1 to D75 in the plan) covers Indian society and tribal India: prehistoric India, the Indus civilisation, demography, the traditional social system, caste, religion, village and agrarian change, tribes and applied anthropology. The same daily pattern continues: one topic, one DPP, and a weekly revision day with a 15-marker answer.
Week 1 (Days 1 to 7: prehistoric India)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Palaeolithic: Lower, Middle and Upper | Explain Palaeolithic culture |
| D2 | Palaeolithic sites: Soan and Attirampakkam | Discuss tools |
| D3 | Mesolithic: microliths | Explain Mesolithic culture |
| D4 | Mesolithic sites: Bagor and Adamgarh | Discuss sites |
| D5 | Neolithic: agriculture | The Neolithic revolution |
| D6 | Neo-Chalcolithic | Discuss the Chalcolithic |
| D7 | Prehistoric revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 2 (Days 8 to 14: the Indus civilisation)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D8 | Protohistoric India | Explain protohistory |
| D9 | Pre-Harappan | Early settlements |
| D10 | Harappan civilisation | Urban features |
| D11 | Harappan economy | Trade and agriculture |
| D12 | Post-Harappan | Decline theories |
| D13 | Tribal contributions | Tribal culture influence |
| D14 | Indus revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 3 (Days 15 to 21: Indian fossils and ethno-archaeology)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D15 | Siwalik: Ramapithecus | Explain Ramapithecus |
| D16 | Siwalik: Sivapithecus | Discuss Sivapithecus |
| D17 | Narmada fossil | Explain the discovery |
| D18 | Indian fossil evidence | Human evolution in India |
| D19 | Ethno-archaeology | Concept and scope |
| D20 | Ethno-archaeological examples | Hunting and pastoral |
| D21 | Indian palaeo revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 4 (Days 22 to 28: demographics)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D22 | Population structure | Ethnic diversity |
| D23 | Linguistic groups | Language families |
| D24 | Population growth | Census trends |
| D25 | Population factors | Fertility and mortality |
| D26 | Population distribution | Regional patterns |
| D27 | Demographic challenges | Population problems |
| D28 | Demography revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 5 (Days 29 to 35: the traditional social system)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D29 | Varnashram | Explain Varna |
| D30 | Purushartha | Dharma, Artha and Kama |
| D31 | Karma | The concept of karma |
| D32 | Rina | The three debts |
| D33 | Rebirth | The concept in India |
| D34 | Traditional structure | Integration and worldview |
| D35 | Social system revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 6 (Days 36 to 42: caste)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D36 | Varna versus caste | Explain the differences |
| D37 | Caste features | Hierarchy and endogamy |
| D38 | Origin theories | Religious and occupational |
| D39 | Dominant caste | M.N. Srinivas |
| D40 | Caste mobility | Sanskritization |
| D41 | Jajmani system | Village exchange |
| D42 | Caste debate revision | 15-marker answer |
Week 7 (Days 43 to 49: religion and Indian society)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D43 | Sacred complex | The concept |
| D44 | Nature-Man-Spirit | The concept |
| D45 | Impact of Buddhism | Social reform |
| D46 | Impact of Jainism | Ethical influence |
| D47 | Impact of Islam | Cultural synthesis |
| D48 | Impact of Christianity | Missionary influence |
| D49 | Revision | Revision answer |
Week 8 (Days 50 to 56: the village, agrarian change and minorities)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D50 | Village studies | Importance |
| D51 | Social system (caste) | Relations |
| D52 | Settlement patterns | Traditional patterns |
| D53 | Agrarian relations | Land ownership |
| D54 | Impact of globalisation | Transformation |
| D55 | Minorities | Issues |
| D56 | Revision | Revision answer |
Week 9 (Days 57 to 63: tribal India)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D57 | Distribution of tribes | Tribes |
| D58 | Characteristics | Variation |
| D59 | Tribal economy | Livelihood |
| D60 | Problems: land and poverty | Issues |
| D61 | Development and displacement | Explain |
| D62 | Forest policy | Impact |
| D63 | Revision | Revision answer |
Week 10 (Days 64 to 70: safeguards, ethnicity and tribal change)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| D64 | SC/ST exploitation | Issues |
| D65 | Constitutional safeguards | Policies |
| D66 | Tribal change | Democracy |
| D67 | Ethnicity and identity | The concept |
| D68 | Ethnic conflict | Regional conflict |
| D69 | Pseudo-tribalism | Identity |
| D70 | Revision | Revision answer |
Week 11 (Days 71 to 75): administration and applied anthropology
| Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|
| Tribal administration and colonial policy | Policy |
| Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PTGs) | Discuss |
| Role of NGOs | Development work |
| Applied anthropology: rural development | Explain |
| Anthropology and conflict | Regionalism |
| Final course revision | Full revision |
30-Day Consolidation
The 30-Day Consolidation (Days 151 to 180) revises both papers in four weeks, each ending with a test: a Paper I sectional test, a Paper I full test, a Paper II sectional test and a Paper II full test.
| Week | Days | Theme | Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1 to 7 | Biological anthropology: core high-scoring areas | Paper I sectional test |
| Week 2 | 8 to 14 | Genetics and ecological anthropology | Paper I full test |
| Week 3 | 15 to 21 | Socio-cultural anthropology | Paper II sectional test |
| Week 4 | 22 to 30 | Anthropological theories: the theoretical capstone | Paper II full test |
Week 1: biological anthropology (Days 1 to 7)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Human evolution: bio-cultural evolution, Lamarck, Darwin, Neo-Darwinism | Explain Darwinian evolution |
| Day 2 | Evolution concepts: adaptive radiation, mosaic evolution, Cope and Doll rule | The modern synthesis |
| Day 3 | Primatology: primate characteristics, taxonomy, arboreal adaptations | Explain primate evolution |
| Day 4 | Comparative anatomy: man versus apes, bipedalism, skeletal changes | Discuss erect posture |
| Day 5 | Fossil hominids: Australopithecus, Homo erectus | Explain Australopithecus |
| Day 6 | Advanced fossils: Neanderthal, Rhodesian, Homo sapiens | Discuss Neanderthal man |
| Day 7 | Weekly revision: complete human evolution | 20-marker answer |
Week 2: genetics and ecological anthropology (Days 8 to 14)
| Day | Topic | Daily practice question (DPP) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 8 | Cell biology: DNA, gene, mutation | Explain DNA replication |
| Day 9 | Genetics: Mendelian inheritance | Discuss Mendelian genetics |
| Day 10 | Population genetics: Hardy-Weinberg law | Explain population genetics |
| Day 11 | Genetic variation: mutation, migration, drift | Discuss genetic polymorphism |
| Day 12 | Chromosomal disorders: Down syndrome, Turner syndrome | Explain aberrations |
| Day 13 | Ecological anthropology: human adaptation | Discuss ecological adaptation |
| Day 14 | Weekly revision: genetics and ecology | 20-marker practice |
Week 3: socio-cultural anthropology (Days 15 to 21)
| Day | Topic | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Day 15 | Culture | Concept, ethnocentrism, relativism |
| Day 16 | Society | Groups, stratification |
| Day 17 | Marriage | Types, laws |
| Day 18 | Family | Types, functions, change |
| Day 19 | Kinship | Descent, lineage, clan |
| Day 20 | Economic anthropology | Reciprocity, redistribution |
| Day 21 | Political anthropology | Band, tribe, chiefdom |
Week 3 focuses on the overlaps between Paper I and Paper II.
Week 4: anthropological theories (Days 22 to 30)
| Day | Topic | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Day 22 | Evolutionism | Tylor, Morgan, Frazer |
| Day 23 | Diffusionism | German and British |
| Day 24 | Functionalism | Malinowski |
| Day 25 | Structural functionalism | Radcliffe-Brown |
| Day 26 | Structuralism | Levi-Strauss |
| Day 27 | Culture and personality | Mead, Benedict |
| Day 28 | Modern theories | Materialism, postmodernism |
| Day 29 | Indian anthropology | Village, caste, tribes, demography |
| Day 30 | Applied anthropology | Tribal development, policies, PTGs |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MAARG Anthropology Optional Mentorship?
It is a structured 180-day plan for the UPSC Anthropology optional: 75 days for Paper I, 75 days for Paper II and 30 days of consolidated revision with a full test plan. Every day has one topic and one daily practice question.
How is the 180-day plan divided?
Days 1 to 75 cover Paper I, Days 76 to 150 cover Paper II, and Days 151 to 180 are the consolidated revision. The three phases add up to 180 days, which is the 6 months of the course.
What does Paper I cover?
Paper I covers biological anthropology (primatology and the fossil record), genetics and cell biology, prehistoric archaeology and dating methods, culture, society, marriage, family and kinship, economic and political anthropology, religion, anthropological theories, and genetic and applied anthropology.
What does Paper II cover?
Paper II covers prehistoric India and the Indus civilisation, Indian fossil evidence, demography, the traditional Indian social system, caste, the impact of religions on Indian society, village studies, agrarian relations, minorities, tribal India, constitutional safeguards, tribal administration and applied anthropology.
What is a DPP?
DPP stands for daily practice problem. Each day ends with one short answer-writing task on that day's topic, for example "Explain the Neolithic" or "Discuss the Jajmani system".
How does the weekly revision work?
Each week ends with a revision day. You connect the week's micro-topics and write a 15-marker answer to simulate exam pressure.
What is the spaced repetition revision model?
It has three layers: a Day-3 micro cycle (look back over the previous 48 hours), a weekly review on Day 7, 14, 21 and so on, and a monthly consolidation that reviews the whole month in order to spot linking patterns.
What happens in the last 30 days?
The 30-day consolidation revises biological anthropology, genetics and ecology, socio-cultural anthropology and anthropological theories in four weeks. The weeks end with a Paper I sectional test, a Paper I full test, a Paper II sectional test and a Paper II full test.
Does the plan include tests?
Yes. The consolidation phase has four tests, one in each week: Paper I sectional, Paper I full, Paper II sectional and Paper II full. For a separate 12-test series, see the Anthropology Optional Test Series.
How can I enrol?
Use the Explore Course / Enroll Now button at the top of this page, or call MaargX UPSC on +91-7877885089 or write to contact@maargxupsc.com.
