The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is your gateway to undergraduate courses offered by central universities and other participating institutions across India. For students aiming to appear for the CUET UG 2025, scheduled in the 2nd week of May 2025, thorough preparation is key to securing admission to their desired program. If Anthropology is on your list of subjects, a deep dive into the CUET Anthropology Syllabus is essential.
The Anthropology syllabus aligns with the topics covered in Class 12, making it easier for students to focus on familiar concepts. To enhance your preparation, reviewing previous years’ question papers is highly recommended. This will help you understand the chapter-wise weightage, key topics, and the types of questions likely to appear in the exam. Staying updated with this strategy can give you a competitive edge.
Table of Contents
CUET Anthropology Syllabus 2025
Candidates preparing for the CUET 2025 exam can check the unit-wise CUET Anthropology Syllabus in the table below:
| Unit | Detailed Syllabus |
| Unit 1: Physical Anthropology | – Preliminary knowledge of Human Genetics: Mendel’s Laws of Heredity (Monohybrid and Dihybrid Ratio). – Definition of Race and Racial Criteria: Significance of skin color, eye form and color, head form, and ABO blood groups as racial criteria. – Racial Classification: Distinctive physical features and geographical distribution of major racial groups (Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid, Australoid). |
| Unit 2: Prehistoric Archaeology | – Tool Making: Techniques (core and flake tools, primary and secondary flaking, pressure flaking, grinding, polishing). – Tool Families: Pebble tools, hand axe, cleaver, scrapers, microliths, points, blades, awl, graver, celts, sickles, spear-head, arrow-head, bone tools. – Prehistoric Cultures: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic periods. – Comparative Study: Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures. |
| Unit 3: Material Culture and Economic Anthropology | – Economic Life: Meaning, aspects, and features of primitive/simple economic systems. – Subsistence Economy: Domestication of animals (pastoralism, shifting cultivation, horticulture, terrace cultivation, plough cultivation). – Hunting, Fishing, and Agriculture: Methods with reference to North-East Indian communities. |
| Unit 4: Social Anthropology and Ethnography | A. Social Anthropology: – Family: Definition, forms, and types (nuclear family, joint family, family of orientation, family of procreation, monogamous, polygynous, polyandrous). – Rules of Residence and Descent: Patrilocal, matrilocal, neolocal, avancolocal, bi-local; patrilineal and matrilineal descent. – Functions and social nature of family. B. Ethnography: \n- Land and people of North-East India. – Material culture and economic life of communities: The Garo (shifting cultivation), The Mishing (plough cultivation). – Social organization of Ao Naga and Apatani. |
| Unit 5: Ecology | – Definition and elements of ecology and environment. – Elements of the environment: Solid, liquid, and gas. – Types of Environment: Physical/abiotic, biological/biotic, sociocultural. – Role of Humans: Man as the main agent to disturb ecological balance. |
CUET Anthropology Preparation Tips for 2025
To excel in the CUET UG 2025 Anthropology exam, follow these practical preparation tips to boost your performance:
- Understand the Syllabus: Start your preparation by thoroughly going through the CUET Anthropology syllabus. Identify the key topics and prioritize them for focused study.
- Use Recommended Books: Choose trusted and widely recommended textbooks for Anthropology. A great starting point is Cultural Anthropology by Ember and Ember, which provides a solid foundation.
- Take Notes While Studying: As you go through each topic, jot down key points, definitions, and essential concepts in your own words. This will make revision easier and improve retention.
- Master Key Theories: Familiarize yourself with important Anthropology theories, such as cultural relativism, functionalism, and structuralism. Focus on understanding the core ideas behind each theory and their applications.
- Explore Case Studies: Dive into real-life case studies to see how concepts apply to different cultures. These examples will enhance your understanding and make your answers more impactful.
- Watch Documentaries: Engage with Anthropology documentaries and cultural studies videos to gain a visual perspective. These can help you grasp concepts better while making learning enjoyable.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve past CUET question papers to get an idea of the exam pattern and frequently asked questions. This will also help you manage time effectively during the exam.
- Collaborate with Study Groups: Join or form study groups with fellow aspirants to discuss complex topics. Sharing insights and perspectives can clear doubts and deepen your understanding.
- Schedule Regular Revisions: Consistent revision is crucial. Set aside time weekly to revisit your notes, important topics, and challenging areas to keep your preparation sharp.
- Stay Curious and Engaged: Develop a genuine interest in learning about diverse cultures and societies. This curiosity will make your Anthropology studies more enjoyable and meaningful, helping you stay motivated throughout your preparation.
CUET Anthropology Books
If you’re preparing for the CUET UG 2025 to secure admission in Anthropology courses, having the right study materials can make all the difference. Here are some of the top-recommended resources to include in your preparation plan:
- Trueman’s UGC NET Anthropology by A.M. Tripathi (Danisha Publishing): This book is a trusted resource for Anthropology aspirants. It covers a wide range of topics comprehensively and is well-suited for exam preparation.
- Anthropology (15th Edition) by Carol R. Ember, Melvin R. Ember, and Peter N. Peregrine (Pearson): This globally recognized textbook offers detailed insights into the subject. It is an excellent choice for understanding both basic and advanced Anthropology concepts.
| CUET Section/Domain Wise Syllabus PDF | |
| Subjects | Syllabus PDFs |
| General Test | CUET General Test Syllabus PDF |
| Agriculture | CUET Agriculture Syllabus PDF |
| Chemistry | CUET Chemistry Syllabus PDF |
| Physics | CUET Physics Syllabus PDF |
| Biology | CUET Biology Syllabus PDF |
| Maths | CUET Maths Syllabus PDF |
| English | CUET English Syllabus PDF |
| History | CUET History Syllabus PDF |
| Computer Science | CUET Computer Science Syllabus PDF |
| Psychology | CUET Psychology Syllabus PDF |
| Accountancy | CUET Accountancy Syllabus PDF |
| Business Studies | CUET Business Studies Syllabus PDF |
| Sanskrit | CUET Sanskrit Syllabus PDF |
| Performing Arts | CUET Performing Arts Syllabus PDF |
| Political Science | CUET Political Science Syllabus PDF |
| Geography/Geology | CUET Geography Syllabus PDF |
| Mass Media/Communication | CUET Mass Media and Communication Syllabus PDF |
| Fine Arts | CUET Fine Arts Syllabus PDF |
| Physical Education | CUET Physical Education Syllabus PDF |
CUET Anthropology Syllabus 2025 FAQs
What topics are included in the CUET Anthropology Syllabus 2025?
The CUET Anthropology syllabus for 2025 includes key topics such as Physical Anthropology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Material Culture and Economic Anthropology, Social Anthropology and Ethnography, and Ecology.
How many questions will be asked in the Anthropology section?
The Anthropology section will consist of 50 questions, out of which candidates need to attempt 40 questions.
Which are the most important topics in the CUET Anthropology Syllabus 2025?
Among the topics, Physical Anthropology and Ecology are considered the most significant for scoring well in the exam.
Is the CUET syllabus based on the NCERT syllabus?
Yes, the CUET syllabus aligns with the NCERT syllabus. However, it also includes additional topics, such as language proficiency and general aptitude, to provide a broader and more comprehensive framework.
Can the CUET normalization process reduce marks?
The CUET normalization process is designed to ensure fairness by adjusting scores for variations in difficulty across different sessions of the exam. It doesn’t aim to reduce marks but rather balances the scores using statistical techniques, grade adjustments, or scaling. This ensures that no student is unfairly disadvantaged due to variations in question difficulty between sessions.
