In the UPSC Mains Exam 2025, Anthropology is offered as one of the 48 optional subjects. It is divided into two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks, making a total of 500 marks. Together, these papers test a candidate’s conceptual clarity and understanding of both theoretical and applied aspects of Anthropology.
The UPSC Mains schedule comprises 9 papers in total, out of which the optional subject papers are conducted as Paper VIII and Paper IX. For 2025, UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 is scheduled for the morning session, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on August 31, while Paper II will be held the same day in the afternoon session, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025
When it comes to the UPSC Mains Exam 2025, optional subjects play a crucial role in shaping a candidate’s final score. Out of the nine papers in Mains, two are dedicated to the optional subject chosen by the candidate. Each paper carries 250 marks, making a combined weightage of 500 marks.
| UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 | |
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Exam Name |
UPSC Civil Services Mains Optional Exam |
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Optional Papers in UPSC Mains Exam |
2 Papers (Optional Paper I and II) |
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Optional Weightage |
25% of total marks |
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Total Optional Subjects in the UPSC CSE Exam |
48 Subjects |
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Anthropology Optional |
Anthropology Optional Paper-I and II |
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Total Marks in Optional |
500 Marks (250 marks each) |
Also Check: UPSC Mains Question Paper 2025
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 Download PDF
The UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 PDF for both Paper I and Paper II is now available for download. Candidates who chose Anthropology as their optional subject can refer to these papers to analyze the nature of questions, the level of difficulty, and the areas of focus in the exam.
| UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 Download PDF | |
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Papers |
PDFs |
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UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper I |
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UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper II |
Download PDF |
Also Check: UPSC Mains Optional Question Paper 2025
UPSC Anthropology Optional Previous Year Questions Papers
Aspirants can access and download the UPSC Anthropology Optional Previous Year Question Papers from the links provided below.
| UPSC Anthropology Previous Year Papers (Yearwise) Optional | ||
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Year |
Paper Type |
PDF Link |
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2023 |
Anthropology Optional Question Paper 1 |
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Anthropology Optional Question Paper 2 |
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2022 |
Anthropology Optional Question Paper 1 |
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Anthropology Optional Question Paper 2 |
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2021 |
Anthropology Optional Question Paper 1 |
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Anthropology Optional Question Paper 2 |
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2020 |
Anthropology Optional Question Paper 1 |
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Anthropology Optional Question Paper 2 |
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2019 |
Anthropology Optional Question Paper 1 |
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Anthropology Optional Question Paper 2 |
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2018 |
Anthropology Optional Question Paper 1 |
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Anthropology Optional Question Paper 2 |
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2017 |
Anthropology Optional Question Paper 1 |
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Anthropology Optional Question Paper 2 |
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2016 |
Anthropology Optional Question Paper 1 |
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Anthropology Optional Question Paper 2 |
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Last updated on August, 2026
→ UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th August 2026.
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
→ UPSC Mains Admit Card 2026 is expected to be released in early August at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in
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→ Go through the UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers to enhance your preparation.
→ Download UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-I 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-II 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-III 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-IV 2025, UPSC Mains English (Compulsory) Paper 2025, UPSC Mains Hindi (Qualifying) Paper 2025 here.
→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.
→ UPSC Calendar 2027 has been released.
→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India
UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper 2025 FAQs
Q1. What is the UPSC Anthropology Optional Paper?+
Q2. How many papers are there in Anthropology optional?+
Q3. Is Anthropology a good optional for UPSC?+
Q4. Is Anthropology optional tough?+
Q5. Can a non-science student take Anthropology optional?+
Tags: UPSC upsc anthropology upsc anthropology optional paper upsc anthropology optional paper 2025 upsc exam
