The UGC NET exam is taken in online mode i.e CBT for candidates seeking to become assistant professors and JRF in Indian colleges and Universities. There will be 100 questions of 2 marks each in Paper II for the concerned subject. Anthropology is one of the subject options available for UGC NET Paper 2. The main aim of this paper is to test the knowledge of the candidates in the Anthropology subject. Candidates should cover all the topics of UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus. The UGC NET syllabus for the online examination can be seen below.

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UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus 2025

The UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus comprises the following ten units, based on the master's level course of Anthropology.

• Fundamentals of Anthropology
• Evolution
• Modern Human Variation
• Human Growth, Development and Maturation
• Concept of Prehistoric Archaeology
• Lower Palaeolithic Period in India
• Conceptual Understanding of Social Anthropology
• Theories in Social Anthropology
• Stages in the Development of Indian Anthropology
• Concepts and Theories

UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus PDF 

The UGC NET Syllabus for Anthropology is available on the official website @ugcnetonline.in/syllabus-new.php. Candidates can download the UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus PDF in Hind and Engish through the official website or by using the direct links given below.

Download UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus PDF in Hindi

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Detailed UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus 2025

In this section, we have discussed the detailed UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus for each of the ten units. 

Unit 1: Fundamentals of Anthropology

• History, development, aim and scope of Anthropology, relationship with other sciences, different branches of Anthropology (including Linguistic Anthropology) and their interrelationship.
• Research methodology and methods: Concepts of epistemology, ontology and theoretical perspectives. Types of research (qualitative and quantitative), research design, hypothesis.
• Fieldwork and fieldwork tradition, Ethnography, Observation, Interview, Case Study, Life History, Focus group, PRA, RRA, Genealogical Method, Schedules and Questionnaires, Grounded Theory, Exploration and Excavation, GIS.
• Statistics: concept of variables, sampling, measures of central tendency and dispersion, parametric and nonparametric bivariate and multivariate (linear regression and logistic regression) statistical tests.
• Techniques of Analysis: Content analysis, Discourse analysis and Narratives.

Unit 2: Evolution

• Lamarckism, Neo-Lamarckism, Darwinism, Neo-Darwinism, Synthetic theory, neutral theory of molecular evolution, concept of cladogenesis and anagenesis, punctuated equilibrium, selection.
• Trends in Primate radiation: Primate classification and distribution of extinct and extant species.
• Characteristics of primates: morphological (hair), skeletal (cranial, post cranial, dental, brain), physical (opposability of thumb), locomotion (quadrupedalism, brachiation and bipedalism) and posture, Primate social behaviour.
• Extant Primates: Distribution, characteristics and classification. Prosimii (Tarsiioidea, Lorisoidea, Lemuroidea), Anthropoidea (Ceboidea, Cercopithecoidea, Hominoidea). Morphological and anatomical characteristics of Human, Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Orangutan and Gibbon 
• Fossils of extinct Primates: Oligocene-Miocene fossils – Parapithecus, Gigantopithecus, Aegyptopithecus, Dryopithecus, Ramapithecus and Sivapithecus.
• Pre-hominid groups: Sahelanthropus tchadensis (Toumai), Orrorin tugenensis, Ardipithecus ramidus.
• Early Hominids: Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus ramidus, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus (Paranthropous) boisei, Australopithecus (Paranthropous) robustus, Australopithecus bahrelghazali.
• Early Transitional Human: Homo habilis.
• Hominid Evolution: Characteristics and distribution of Homo erectus in general, Special reference to the fossil evidences discovered from Africa (Turkana boy), Asia (Java man and Peking man), Europe (Dmanisi), Homo floresiensis (Dwarf variety) 
• Characteristics of Archaic sapiens with special reference to Europe (Homo heidelbergensis), Africa (Rhodesian Man), Asia (China, Jinniushan, India, Narmada Man).
• Neandertal man: Distribution, salient features and phylogenetic position.
• Characteristics of anatomically Modern Homo sapiens with special reference to Africa (Omo), Europe (Cro-magnon, Chancelade, Grimaldi), Asia (Jinniushan) and Australia (Lake Mungo).
• Dispersal of modern humans: Out of Africa hypothesis, Multiregional hypothesis, Partial Replacement hypothesis.

Unit 3: Modern Human Variation

• Typological Model, Populational Model and Clinal Model, overview of Classification proposed by Blumenbach, Deniker, Hooton, Coon, Garn and Birdsell.
• Ethnic Classification and distribution of Indian Populations: H.H. Risley, B. S. Guha, S. S.Sarkar.
• Linguistic distribution of ethnic groups.
• Methods of studying Human Genetics: Cytogenetics, Mendelian Genetics, Twin Genetics, Sib Pair methods, Population Genetics, Molecular Genetics.
• Cytogenetics: cell cycle, standard karyotyping and banding techniques (G, C and Q), chromosomal abnormalities, fluorescent in situ hybridization, Lyon’s hypothesis, importance of telomere and centromere.
• Linkage and chromosome mapping, genetic imprinting.
• Modes of inheritance: Autosomal (dominant, recessive, codominance), sex linked, sex influenced, sex limited, modifying genes, suppressor genes, selfish gene, multiple allelic inheritance, multifactorial inheritance (stature and skin colour), polygeneic (dermatoglyphicsFinger-ball Pattern types, Dankmeijer’s Index, Furuhata’s Index and Pattern Intensity Index, Total Finger Ridge Count, Absolute Finger Ridge Count, Palmar formula and mainline index, transversality, atd angle and flexion creases.
• Population genetics: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, definition and application, mating patterns (random, assortative and consanguineous), inbreeding coefficient, genetic load, genetic isolate, genetic drift, genetic distance), genetic polymorphisim (balanced and transient).
• Molecular genetics: DNA, RNA, genetic code, protein structure and synthesis, concepts of RFLPs, VNTRs, STRs, and SNPs, Mitrochondrial DNA, genic and genomic mutations.

Unit 4: Human Growth, Development and Maturation

• Definition, concepts. Basic principles of growth, phases of growth: Prenatal and postnatal (growth and development of different body parts, subcutaneous tissues and physiological variables). Growth curves: Velocity, Distance, Acceleration and Scammon’s Growth curve. Catch up and Catch down growth.
• Aging and senescence with special reference to somatic, skeletal and dental maturation, Factors affecting growth: Genetic and Environmental. Secular trends in growth.
• Methods of studying human growth: Longitudinal, Cross-sectional, Mixed longitudinal, Linked longitudinal.
• Body composition: Bone mass, body mass, percentage of body fat, segmental fat, body age.
• Human Adaptation: Allen’s and Bergmann’s rule, Human Adaptability Programme, human adaptation to heat, cold, high altitude.
• Somatotyping: Concept, Development (Kretschmer, Sheldon, Parnoll, Health-Carter) and its application.
• Demography: Multidisciplinary nature of demography and its relation with other disciplines.
• Relationship between demography and anthropological demography. Fertility (concept and determinants), Morbidity and mortality (concept and determinants), Migration (concept and determinants), Selection intensity.

Unit 5: Concept of Prehistoric Archaeology

• Ethno-archaeology, experimental archaeology, environmental archaeology, settlement archaeology, cognitive archaeology, geo-archaeology, action archaeology. Theoretical paradigms – descriptive to scientific period to interpretative period.
• Dating: Typology, seriation, geo-archaeological, obsidian, hydration, chemical dating of bones, oxygen isotope, fluorine estimation, dendrochronology, radio-carbon, fission track, thermo- luminescence, potassium-argon, varve clay, cross dating, amino acid racemization, palaeomagnetic.
• Paleoenvironment: Major geological stages (Tertiary, Quaternary, Pleistocene, Holocene). Major climatic changes during Pleistocene and post Pleistocene periods, glacial and interglacial periods, ice age, pluvial and inter-pluvial climatic phases. Evidences of quarternary climatic changes (moraines, varve, river terraces, loess, sea level changes, beach sequences, sea core, fluviatile deposits, palynology, palaeontology). Site formation.
• Lithic tool typology and technology: Lower Palaeolithic (pebble tools, chopper and chopping tools, bifaces, handaxes and cleavers), Middle Palaeolithic (Clactonean, Levalloisian and Mousterian flakes, discoid cores, tortoise core, fluted core, scrapers, point), Upper Palaeolithic (blade, knife, blunted back, borer, burin, points), Mesolithic (microliths), Neolithic (ring stone, grind stone, celt, adze).
• Overview of Lithic Cultures of Europe:
  • Lower Palaeolithic: Acheulian culture.
  • Middle Palaeolithic: Mousterian culture.
  • Upper Palaeolithic: Perigordian, Chatelperronian, Gravettian, Aurignacian, Solutrian, Magdalenian.
  • Mesolithic: Azilian, Tardenoisean, Maglamosean, Kitchen Midden, Natufian.
• Early Farming Cultures and Neolithic of the Near East: Sites like Jericho, Jarmo, Çatal Huyuk, Shanidar.

Unit 6: Lower Palaeolithic Period in India 

• Pebble tool culture: Soan Acheulian culture: Madrasian (Kortalayar Valley), Attirmpakkam, Didwana, Belan Valley, Bhimbetka, Chirki-Nevasa, Hunsgi, Krishna Valley. Importance of Hathnora, Narmada valley.
• Middle Palaeolithic period in India: Belan valley, Bhimbetka, Nevasa, Narmada valley.
• Upper Palaeolithic period in India: Renigunta, Billa Surgam, Patne, Bhimbetka, Son and Belan Valleys, Visadi, Pushkar, Gunjan Valley.
• Mesolithic period in India: Mesolithic economy and society. Post Pleistocene environmental changes. Development in microlithic technology, composite tools and bows and arrows. Sites include Bagor, Tilwara, Langhnaj, Adamgarh, Bagor, Chopani Mando, Bhimbetka, Sarai Nahar Rai, Birbhanpur.
• Neolithic Period in India: Economic and social consequences of food production. Settlements, population growth, craft specializations, class formation and political institutions. Sites like Burzahom, Gufkral, Ahar, Gilund, Nagada, Kayatha, Navdatoli, Eran, Nevasa, Chandoli, Daimabad, Inamgaon, Prakash, Maski, Brahmagiri, Sangankallu, Tekkalkota, Piklihal, Nagarjunakonda, Daojali Hading, Kuchai, Sarutadu.
• Prehistoric Cave art from India: Bhimbetka, Adamgarh.
• Indus Civilization: Expansion of village sites. Development of metal technology, art and writing. Architecture and city planning. Stages and theories of decline. Sites like Amri, Kot Diji, Kalibangan, Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi.
• Pottery and Traditions: Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP), Black and Red ware, Painted Grey Ware (PGW), Northern Black Polished Ware (NBP). Distribution of the pottery types and period.
• Bronze/Copper Age: General characteristics, distribution, people.
• Iron Age and Urban Revolution: General characteristics, distribution, people.
• Megaliths: concept and types (menhir, dolmen, topical, cist, cairn circle, sarcophagi)

Unit 7: Conceptual Understanding of Social Anthropology

• Culture: Attributes, Holism, Universals, Acculturation, Enculturation, Transculturation, Culture Change, Culture Shock, Cultural Relativism, Civilization, Folk-Urban Continuum, Great and Little Tradition, Cultural Pluralism and World-View.
• Society: Groups, Institutions, Associations, Community, Status and Role. Incest. Endogamy and Exogamy. Rites of passage.
• Social Institutions: 
  • Family: Definitions, universality of the family. Typological and Processual methods of studying the family. Types of family – conjugal-natal, consanguineal, nuclear, joint, extended. Rules of residence – Patrilocal, Matrilocal, Ambilocal, Bilocal, Neolocal, Avunculocal, Virilocal, Amitalocal, Uxorilocal. Functions of family, Trends of change – urbanization, globalization, industrialization, feminist movements.
  • Marriage: Definition, universality, types and functions (monogamy, polygamy – polyandry, polygyny, hypogamy, hypergamy, levirate, sororate). Preferential and Prescriptive types. Types and forms of marital transactions – bride price and dowry. Marriage as exchange.
  • Kinship: Definition, Descent, kinship terminology, matrilineal puzzle. Joking and avoidance. Moiety, phratry, clan and lineage. Types of kinship systems.
  • Economic Anthropology: Definition and relationship with Anthropology and Economy. Theories (Malinowski, Formal, Substantivist, Marxist). Livelihoods, Subsistence, Principles of production, distribution, consumption, division of labour in hunting-gathering, pastoral, swidden and agricultural communities. Exchange, reciprocity, gifts and barter systems. Kula, Potlatch and Jajmani – Anthropological explanations.
  • Legal Anthropology: Anthropology of Law, Social Sanctions.
  • Political Organization: Definitions, political processes in band, tribe, chiefdom and state systems. Conflicts and social control. Nations and Nation-state, democracy.
  • Religion and Belief Systems: Definitions, animism, animatism, manaism, bongaism, totemism, taboo. Religious specialists – witch, shaman, priest, medicine-man, sorcerer. Magic – definitions, types, approaches. Rituals.
  • Social Change: Basic ideas and concepts (Assimilation, Integration, Syncretism, Dominance and Subjugation), Approaches.

Unit 8: Theories in Social Anthropology 

• Evolutionism – Tylor, Morgan, Fraser, Maine, McLennan.
• Diffusionism – Three schools (Austro-German, British, American).
• Historical Particularism – Boas.
• Functionalism – Malinowski.
• Structural-Functionalism – Radcliffe-Brown, Firth, Fortes, Eggan, Parsons.
• Structuralism – Levi-Strauss.
• Culture and Personality/Psychological Anthropology – Mead, Benedict, DuBois, Linton, Kardiner, Whiting and Child.
• Cultural Ecology, Environmental Anthropology, Neo-evolutionism (Leslie White, Julian Steward, Marshall Sahlins).
• Cultural Materialism – Marvin Harris.
• Symbolic Anthropology – Victor Turner, Raymond Firth, Mary Douglas.
• Cognitive Anthropology – Roy D’Andrade, Stephen Tyler, Ward Goodenough.
• Deep Ethnography, Interpretive Anthropology – Clifford Geertz.
• Anthropology and Gender – Leela Dube, Renato Rosaldo, Marilyn Strathern, Zora Neale Hutson.
• Postmodernism, Poststructuralism, Postcolonialism – Foucault, Derrida, Bourdieu.
• Ethnicity – Barth, Jeffery, Weber.

Unit 9: Stages in the Development of Indian Anthropology

• Concepts: Social Stratification (eg. Caste), Scheduled Caste (SC), Dalit, OBC, Nomadic Groups. Revivalist/Nativist movements, Peasant movements (Malabar and Telengana movements).
  • Tribe, Scheduled Tribe (ST), Particularly Vulnerable Groups (PVTGs), Tribal movements (Birsa and Naga movements), Tribal Development, Distribution.
  • Indian Village and Village Studies in India (S.C. Dube, McKim Marriott, Weiser, Scarlett Epstein, M.N. Srinivas, F.G. Bailey) 
  • Constitutional Safeguards for SC and ST, Inclusion and Exclusion. Panchayati Raj Institutions and other traditional community political organizations, Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
• Theoretical ideas: Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization, Globalization, Sacred Complex, Nature-Man-Spirit Complex.
• Early Indian Anthropologists and their contributions: G.S. Ghurye, B.S. Guha, S.C. Roy, Iravati Karve, L.P. Vidyarthi, S.C. Dube, M.N. Srinivas, N.K. Bose, Surajit Sinha, D.N. Majumdar, S.R.K. Chopra, Verrier Elwin, S.S. Sarkar, Dharani Sen, T.C. Das, P.C. Biswas.

Unit 10: Concepts and Theories 

• Applied Anthropology, Action Anthropology, Engaged Anthropology, Experimental Anthropology, Urban Anthropology, Public Anthropology, Public Archaeology, Anthropology of Development, Medical Anthropology, Visual Anthropology, Genomic Studies, Genetic Screening and Counseling, Forensic Anthropology, Food and Nutritional Anthropology, Ergonomics, Kinanthropometry, Business Anthropology.
• Community Development Projects (Rural, Urban and Tribal), Revisits, Re-studies, Reinterpretations, Intervention, Research Process and Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
• Anthropological approaches in community studies: public health, education, nutrition, land alienation, bonded labour, housing, alternative economy, livelihood, gender issues, relief, rehabilitation and relocation, identity crisis, communication, training and management, aging and the aged.
• Development Strategies (Plan/Sub Plan).
• Role of NGOs in Development. Anthropology and NGOs.
• Empowerment of Women, LGBT groups.

Also Read: UGC NET Paper 2 Syllabus

Important Topics in UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus 2025

Anthropology is a multidisciplinary subject that delves into the study of human societies, cultures, and their evolution over time. Aspiring candidates preparing for the UGC NET Anthropology exam must be well-versed with various crucial topics that form the core of this subject. Below is a concise list of the most significant topics in the UGC NET Anthropology syllabus:

• Cultural Anthropology
• Social Anthropology
• Biological Anthropology
• Archaeological Anthropology
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Ethnographic Techniques and Fieldwork
• Human Evolution and Fossil Record
• Theories of Culture and Society
• Kinship, Marriage, and Family
• Economic Anthropology

Also Read: UGC NET Important Topics

UGC NET Anthropology Exam Pattern 2025

The UGC NET exam pattern for Anthropology is given below in the table. Candidates can use it for future reference. Candidates can check the weightage of the paper II exam as well.

Also Read: UGC NET Anthropology Books

We hope that this article was informative about the UGC NET Anthropology Syllabus 2025. Download the Testbook App for more information on all government examinations.