Anthropology or Psychology? which is better optional for UPSC
Confused between Anthropology and Psychology as optional subjects for UPSC CSE? This article breaks down syllabus, scoring, overlap with GS, and expert guidance to help you choose the best optional.
Introduction
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is considered one of the toughest exams in India. One critical decision every aspirant must make is selecting the right optional subject for the Mains. Among the popular choices are Anthropology and Psychology. Both subjects have their own merits, success stories, and unique challenges. In this article, we’ll help you decide which optional is better for UPSC: Anthropology or Psychology.
1. Overview of the Subjects
- Anthropology is the study of human evolution, societies, and cultures. It includes both physical and socio-cultural anthropology, archaeology, and tribal studies. It’s considered a semi-scientific subject and often appeals to students with a science or humanities background.
- Psychology deals with human behavior and mental processes. It covers theories of personality, cognition, intelligence, psychological disorders, and therapy, making it useful for real-life understanding as well as Ethics and Essay papers.
2. Syllabus Comparison
- Anthropology has a concise and static syllabus, which is easier to complete and revise. It includes diagrams and case studies, which help in presentation and scoring.
- Psychology has a slightly broader and more dynamic syllabus, especially in Paper II, where current developments in Indian psychology and case-based application matter.
Verdict: Anthropology wins in terms of a more manageable and predictable syllabus.
Anthropology and Psychology optionals are aslo available in state PCS exams . State PCS like that of BPSC , MPSC has both these optionals.
3. Scoring Trends and Success Rate
In recent years, Anthropology has become a scoring optional, with many candidates scoring above 270+. For example, Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017) chose Anthropology as his optional.
Psychology can also be scoring but demands a deeper understanding and analytical writing, which may not be easy for everyone.
Verdict: Anthropology currently has an edge in terms of scoring consistency and trend.
4. GS and Essay Paper Overlap
- Anthropology overlaps with GS Paper I (Society, Tribal Issues), GS Paper II (Tribal Policies), and GS Paper IV (Ethics).
- Psychology overlaps well with GS Paper IV (Ethics), Essay, and sometimes GS Paper II (Behavioral Aspects of Governance).
Verdict: Psychology may provide a slight advantage in Ethics and Essay, while Anthropology helps more in GS I and II.
5. Availability of Resources and Coaching
Both subjects now have good study material, online content, and test series. However, Anthropology has more structured test series and coaching availability compared to Psychology.
Here are two reliable sources:
6. Background Suitability
- Anthropology is easy to grasp even for beginners. Science, engineering, and humanities students can take it up without much prior exposure.
- Psychology is better suited for students with an academic background in psychology, biology, or medicine. Others may take more time to grasp psychological theories and experiments.
Verdict: Anthropology is more beginner-friendly.
7. Guidance and Mentorship
Expert mentorship can dramatically improve performance. For top faculty and mentorship, platforms like TheHinduZone provide one-on-one mentorship with reputed teachers for both Psychology and Anthropology optionals.
8. UPSC Paper Trends and Analysis
It’s important to analyze previous year question trends to understand the depth and nature of questions. UPSC has a history of repeating concepts in both subjects, but Psychology questions can sometimes be analytical and abstract.
Refer to UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to analyze trends for both subjects.
Comparison Table: Anthropology vs Psychology
| Aspect | Anthropology | Psychology |
|---|---|---|
| Syllabus | Concise and Static | Broad and Dynamic |
| Scoring Potential | High (270+ achievable) | Moderate to High |
| Overlap with GS | GS I, II, IV | GS IV, Essay |
| Ideal Background | Science/Humanities/Engineering | Psychology/Biology/Medical |
| Mentorship Availability | Abundant | Moderate |
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Anthropology and Psychology are excellent optional subjects, each with its own strengths. If you are from a general science, humanities, or engineering background and want a manageable syllabus with high scoring potential, Anthropology is a better choice. However, if you have a strong interest in human behavior, or a background in psychology or life sciences, Psychology can offer depth and help in Ethics and Essay too.
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