Anthropology Returns..... With a Bang
Dear Readers!
For me the Caption of this article is misleading (though, in the beginning you may not agree). The fact is that results of Anthropology in the last decade (except for one year) have been constantly good — more than 10%. However, after IAS 1996 it is for the first time that three in top then have Anthropology as their Optional. [In IAS 1996 three of our students — Nilesh (7th), Manish (8th) and Piyush (9th) held this record]. Therefore, it is a special occasion for me but I may be disjointed, as I have to say a lot on different aspects.
“I love anthropology because I’m insatiably curious. Anthropology uniquely spans the arts, humanities, social science and natural sciences, and touches all fields of human endeavor or inquiry. Human origins? Uh huh. Human rights? Certainly. Ontology and the nature of being? Got it. Genome sequencing? Check. Poetics and aesthetics? You bet. Cross-cultural psychology? Please. Climate change? Down cold. Migration and displacement? Daily. Social media? We study that. Diversity and the many ways of being human? Obviously. Religion and spirituality, food security, human trafficking, ancient pottery, how humans communicate, Northwest Coast art, or family relations among baboons? Yes to all. Anthropologists study what makes us “us,” in all its complexity. It can be hard and frustrating, challenging and contentious, surprising and often fulfilling—but it’s never boring."
This was the message sent to me by Sachin, AIR # 3, on March 31, 2018 much before the results of this year IAS'17 were declared. With this kind of expression anybody must achieve a grand success. And he did.
Much before that but after the declaration of Main'17 results, Sachin came to meet me to discuss preparation of Interview. That day, he shared his experiences with an ongoing batch after which I was sure about his grand success which I did not hide. Everything was recorded and I have put it on YouTube (www.youtube.com\c\vaidsicsdelhi). Whatever I have to say about him, have said in the Video. But last thing, his success will definitely promote anthropology in Civil Services Examination.
Both Sachin and Prem, besides being confident about themselves, have one more thing in common, i.e. both feel social responsibility and crave to play their role in betterment of society. (I am saying this not because many aspirants say so without meaning it, but I have seen them already contributing in a limited way in their limited capacity).
Ayush, last year, secured 100th rank with anthropology and, with same Optional, achieved 7th position in IAS'17.
Bipasha, in her three previous attempts with Sociology, did not taste success but with Anthropology in fourth attempt ranked 41st this year. Interestingly, Bipasha shifted to Anthropology because of her younger sister Bidisha who, after two failed attempts with Public Administration switched to Anthropology and got into IPS a couple of year ago. (Incidentally, Bidisha too was our student).
Arpit's story too is only action replay as he too, after three failed attempts with Political Science, took up Anthropology this year only.
In summary we can conclude that Anthropology is more popular with hoppers. Anthropology was not the first choice of most of the candidates who find a place in final merit list. The story has been repeated year after year. This year, only Prem Prakash Meena, of all the six known toppers has Anthropology as his natural choice.
1. Syllabus looks lengthy. In Employment News as also at other places, Syllabus of Anthropology is followed by that of Botany whereby Botany seems half of Anthropology. My students studying Anthropology but with background in Botany reveal that Botany is very lengthy, at least 2-3 times lengthier than Anthropology. The syllabus of Anthropology is quite in details whereby every topic has been dealt in unnecessary details. The fact is that whole syllabus of Anthropology (including Paper I & II) can be converted into about 150 questions. I have covered this issue well in my U-tube video, "Anthropology Syllabus Decoded".
2. There is lot of biology to be studied. If the argument were strong, then students with background in Biology (B.Sc., M.Sc., B.V.Sc., MBBS, BDS, Basic Medical Sciences etc.) only should take up Anthropology. But looking at the background of successfuls, most of them are engineers some of whom might have studied biology at 10+2 level. Even in regular classes more than 80% of my students are engineers. The knowledge of biology required in Anthropology is almost same as required in General Studies.
3. Subjects like Pub. Admn. and Geography perform better in terms of results. Logically wrong. Nobody can deny that many more candidates with Geography or Pub. Admn. qualify finally but the number of candidates taking these Optionals is almost three times those opting Anthropology. Success rate of Anthropology has been constantly high and this can be confirmed from the results given in Annual Reports of UPSC.
4. Not enough updated study material is available. Wrong again. Many websites give access to printed notes of many coaching institutes as also many photocopiers sell pirated study material which is either outdated or fradulent. For example, some parts of our own study material, at least 6-7 years old, are available on some websites.
One important reason, may be the most important, is that Anthropology makes you a better human being. This contribution of Anthropology surpasses everything else. So be wise in taking Anthropology by choice and not after hopping.
For me the Caption of this article is misleading (though, in the beginning you may not agree). The fact is that results of Anthropology in the last decade (except for one year) have been constantly good — more than 10%. However, after IAS 1996 it is for the first time that three in top then have Anthropology as their Optional. [In IAS 1996 three of our students — Nilesh (7th), Manish (8th) and Piyush (9th) held this record]. Therefore, it is a special occasion for me but I may be disjointed, as I have to say a lot on different aspects.
I
This was the message sent to me by Sachin, AIR # 3, on March 31, 2018 much before the results of this year IAS'17 were declared. With this kind of expression anybody must achieve a grand success. And he did.
Much before that but after the declaration of Main'17 results, Sachin came to meet me to discuss preparation of Interview. That day, he shared his experiences with an ongoing batch after which I was sure about his grand success which I did not hide. Everything was recorded and I have put it on YouTube (www.youtube.com\c\vaidsicsdelhi). Whatever I have to say about him, have said in the Video. But last thing, his success will definitely promote anthropology in Civil Services Examination.
II
Another person I must write about is another unique personality. With a successful career of over one decade, travelling through a major part of developed world working with corporate multinational oil companies and annual package of over 1.91 crore, can you imagine, in the wildest of your dreams, to leave the job and plung into a field which people call Unpredictable Public Service Commission. (Many toppers in their video on various U-tube channels too think so). But Prem Prakash Meena, "a tall, fair wellbuilt, smiling personality with sweet but commanding voice is no nonsense person. He achieved 102nd rank in his second attempt. (In first attempt he got into IRS).
III
I know of six successfuls in top 100 including Ayush (7th), Ashima (12th), Bipasha (41st) and Arpit (94th) besides the all-India Topper Anudeep. I do not know Anudeep and Ashima but others have been my students. From newspapers and YouTube videos we know that Anudeep shifted from Geog. & Public Admn. to Pol. Sc. to Anthropology. Sachin had Public Admn. in first attempt, he shifted to Anthropology in his second attempt and secured 575th rank. This year, in third attempt he secured third rank.
Ayush, last year, secured 100th rank with anthropology and, with same Optional, achieved 7th position in IAS'17.
Bipasha, in her three previous attempts with Sociology, did not taste success but with Anthropology in fourth attempt ranked 41st this year. Interestingly, Bipasha shifted to Anthropology because of her younger sister Bidisha who, after two failed attempts with Public Administration switched to Anthropology and got into IPS a couple of year ago. (Incidentally, Bidisha too was our student).
Arpit's story too is only action replay as he too, after three failed attempts with Political Science, took up Anthropology this year only.
In summary we can conclude that Anthropology is more popular with hoppers. Anthropology was not the first choice of most of the candidates who find a place in final merit list. The story has been repeated year after year. This year, only Prem Prakash Meena, of all the six known toppers has Anthropology as his natural choice.
Why Anthropology
All those who qualify through Anthropology agree on one point i.e. small syllabus. Yes, it is, compared to other popular optionals. But a collateral point must not be ignored. Time saved because of the small syllabus can be used to improve the quality of answers in General Studies and/or Essay. Answers to various social issues can be attempted with the help of social-cultural aspect of Paper I as also whole of Indian Anthropology (Paper II). Rationality developed through the understanding of Anthropology improves your performance in Interview too. With so many advantages Anthropology should be a natural choice of a large number of students but it is not. The answer is not difficult to find.1. Syllabus looks lengthy. In Employment News as also at other places, Syllabus of Anthropology is followed by that of Botany whereby Botany seems half of Anthropology. My students studying Anthropology but with background in Botany reveal that Botany is very lengthy, at least 2-3 times lengthier than Anthropology. The syllabus of Anthropology is quite in details whereby every topic has been dealt in unnecessary details. The fact is that whole syllabus of Anthropology (including Paper I & II) can be converted into about 150 questions. I have covered this issue well in my U-tube video, "Anthropology Syllabus Decoded".
2. There is lot of biology to be studied. If the argument were strong, then students with background in Biology (B.Sc., M.Sc., B.V.Sc., MBBS, BDS, Basic Medical Sciences etc.) only should take up Anthropology. But looking at the background of successfuls, most of them are engineers some of whom might have studied biology at 10+2 level. Even in regular classes more than 80% of my students are engineers. The knowledge of biology required in Anthropology is almost same as required in General Studies.
3. Subjects like Pub. Admn. and Geography perform better in terms of results. Logically wrong. Nobody can deny that many more candidates with Geography or Pub. Admn. qualify finally but the number of candidates taking these Optionals is almost three times those opting Anthropology. Success rate of Anthropology has been constantly high and this can be confirmed from the results given in Annual Reports of UPSC.
4. Not enough updated study material is available. Wrong again. Many websites give access to printed notes of many coaching institutes as also many photocopiers sell pirated study material which is either outdated or fradulent. For example, some parts of our own study material, at least 6-7 years old, are available on some websites.
One important reason, may be the most important, is that Anthropology makes you a better human being. This contribution of Anthropology surpasses everything else. So be wise in taking Anthropology by choice and not after hopping.
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