Last Updated: April 2026
CUET 2027’s Anthropology paper — subject code 304 — is offered at a small number of central universities, but those few seats (Hyderabad Central University, Pondicherry University, BHU, North-Eastern Hill University, Rajiv Gandhi University, IGNTU Amarkantak) are highly sought after because Indian Anthropology is the gateway to careers in Anthropological Survey of India, museum curation, ICSSR research, and PG entry to JNU’s Centre for the Study of Social Systems. This guide is a complete cuet anthropology 2027 playbook covering the syllabus, major theoretical concepts, tribes of India, and 30 practice MCQs.
About the Subject
CUET Anthropology is based on the Class XII NCERT/NIOS/CBSE Anthropology textbook plus modular content on physical anthropology, social anthropology, archaeological anthropology, and Indian tribes. The paper has 50 questions; aspirants attempt 40 in 45 minutes with +5/-1 scheme.
Exam Pattern
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 50 |
| To attempt | 40 |
| Duration | 45 min |
| Marking | +5 / -1 |
| Mode | CBT |
Complete Syllabus — Unit-wise
| Unit | Topics | Approx Qs | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Introducing Anthropology | Branches (Physical, Social-Cultural, Archaeological, Linguistic), aims, scope, holism, fieldwork | 4-5 | 10% |
| 2. Human Evolution | Primate classification, Australopithecus, Homo habilis-erectus-sapiens, Neanderthals, Cro-Magnon | 5-6 | 12% |
| 3. Human Genetics | Mendelism, ABO blood groups, Rh factor, sickle cell, lactose tolerance, eugenics | 4-5 | 10% |
| 4. Human Variation & Race | Race concept, Coon’s classification, Indian races (Risley, Guha), anthropometry | 3-4 | 8% |
| 5. Archaeological Anthropology | Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Iron Age, Indus civilisation | 4-5 | 10% |
| 6. Social-Cultural Concepts | Kinship, marriage, family, descent (patrilineal/matrilineal), incest taboo, totem, taboo | 5-6 | 12% |
| 7. Economic Anthropology | Hunter-gatherer, pastoralism, shifting cultivation, market exchange, Kula ring (Malinowski), Potlatch | 3-4 | 8% |
| 8. Political Anthropology | Band, tribe, chiefdom, state, Big Man, segmentary lineage | 2-3 | 6% |
| 9. Religion | Animism (Tylor), magic (Frazer), totemism (Durkheim), shamanism, witchcraft | 3-4 | 8% |
| 10. Indian Tribes & Tribal Issues | PVTGs, Scheduled Tribes, major tribes (Santhal, Bhil, Gond, Toda, Khasi, Naga, Onge, Jarawa), 5th & 6th Schedule | 5-6 | 12% |
| 11. Anthropological Theory | Evolutionism (Tylor, Morgan), Diffusionism, Functionalism (Malinowski, Radcliffe-Brown), Structuralism (Lévi-Strauss), Cultural Relativism (Boas) | 3-4 | 8% |
| 12. Indian Anthropologists | S C Roy, D N Majumdar, Iravati Karve, M N Srinivas (Sanskritisation, Westernisation, Dominant Caste), G S Ghurye, B K Roy Burman | 3-4 | 8% |
Tribes of India — High-Yield Mapping
| Tribe | State / Region | Distinctive Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Santhal | Jharkhand, WB, Odisha | Largest tribe in eastern India; Sohrai festival |
| Bhil | Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat | Second largest; Pithora paintings |
| Gond | MP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra | Largest tribe of central India; Gondi language |
| Toda | Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu | Pastoralists; barrel-shaped huts; polyandry |
| Khasi | Meghalaya | Matrilineal — youngest daughter inherits |
| Naga (16 sub-tribes) | Nagaland | Hornbill festival |
| Mizo | Mizoram | Patrilineal; Christian majority |
| Garo | Meghalaya | Matrilineal; Wangala festival |
| Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese, Shompen | A&N Islands | PVTG — Negrito ancestry |
| Bonda, Juang, Birhor, Saora | Odisha | PVTG status |
| Bhotia, Tharu | Uttarakhand | Trans-Himalayan trade |
| Lepcha | Sikkim, Darjeeling | Indigenous Buddhist; Mun-Bongthing shamanism |
| Apatani, Nyishi, Adi, Galo | Arunachal Pradesh | Apatani wet-rice on terraces |
| Munda, Ho, Oraon | Jharkhand | Khariya — Mundari languages (Austroasiatic) |
| Kuki, Hmar, Paite | Manipur, Mizoram | Tibeto-Burman speakers |
| Irula, Kota, Kurumba, Toda, Badaga | Nilgiris | Five-tribe ecological complex |
Major Concepts You Must Know
- Sanskritisation (M N Srinivas, 1952): Lower castes adopt rituals of higher castes for upward mobility. Coorgs of Karnataka case study.
- Westernisation (Srinivas): Adoption of Western values; distinct from modernisation.
- Dominant Caste (Srinivas): Numerical strength + economic power + ritual status + political influence.
- Functionalism (Malinowski): Every cultural element serves a need.
- Structural-Functionalism (Radcliffe-Brown): Society as integrated structure.
- Structuralism (Lévi-Strauss): Underlying binary oppositions in myths.
- Kula Ring (Malinowski, Trobriand): Inter-island ceremonial exchange (necklaces clockwise, armshells counter-clockwise).
- Potlatch (Boas, NW Coast): Competitive gift-giving by Kwakiutl.
- Cultural Relativism (Boas): Cultures judged on own terms.
- Acculturation: Cultural change from sustained contact.
- Patrilineal vs Matrilineal Descent: Father’s line vs mother’s line.
Human Evolution — Timeline
| Hominid | Period | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Ardipithecus ramidus | 4.4 mya | Earliest hominid evidence |
| Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy) | 3.2 mya | Bipedalism |
| Homo habilis | 2.4-1.4 mya | Tool use (Oldowan) |
| Homo erectus | 1.9 mya – 110 kya | Fire, Acheulean tools, out of Africa |
| Homo neanderthalensis | 400-40 kya | Mousterian tools, ritual burial |
| Homo sapiens (modern) | ~300 kya | Symbolic art, language |
Sample Practice MCQs (5)
Q1.
“Sanskritisation” was coined by?
A) Iravati Karve B) M N Srinivas C) G S Ghurye D) D N Majumdar
Answer: B. Srinivas, 1952.
Q2.
Which is a matrilineal tribe?
A) Santhal B) Khasi C) Gond D) Toda
Answer: B. Khasi (and Garo); youngest daughter inherits.
Q3.
Kula ring was studied by?
A) Boas B) Malinowski C) Mead D) Frazer
Answer: B. Malinowski, Trobriand Islands, 1922.
Q4.
Lucy fossil belongs to species?
A) Homo erectus B) Australopithecus afarensis C) Homo habilis D) Neanderthal
Answer: B. Hadar, Ethiopia, 1974.
Q5.
Which is NOT a PVTG?
A) Onge B) Jarawa C) Santhal D) Sentinelese
Answer: C. Santhal is a Scheduled Tribe but not PVTG.
Internal Resources
For unit-wise notes, see CUET 2027 courses, CUET 2027 hub, and free study resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which universities accept CUET Anthropology?
A: Hyderabad Central University, Pondicherry University, BHU, North-Eastern Hill University, IGNTU Amarkantak, Rajiv Gandhi University, Manipur University.
Q2: Is Anthropology offered in Class XII boards?
A: Limited boards (CBSE Class XII has it as optional via NIOS; some state boards do not). Self-study from NCERT/NIOS modules suffices.
Q3: How many tribes are tested?
A: 15-20 major tribes by name + state + distinctive feature. Memorise the table above.
Q4: Best book for CUET Anthropology 2027?
A: NIOS Anthropology Senior Secondary modules (best); Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain; Cultural Anthropology by Ember & Ember (intro).
Q5: How much theory weight on Western thinkers?
A: ~8-10% (Malinowski, Radcliffe-Brown, Lévi-Strauss, Boas, Tylor, Morgan, Frazer).
Take the Quiz
Practice Quiz — 10 CUET-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Begin Your CUET Anthropology Prep
Enrol in our CUET 2027 program for theory notes + tribe-mapping flashcards + 12 mocks.
