CUET Anthropology Syllabus 2026, Check Detailed HUQP02 Syllabus PDF & Best Books for Preparation Here

Are you curious about human evolution, culture, and society? If yes, then CUET UG Anthropology might just be the subject for you! This fascinating syllabus covers everything from biological evolution to social behavior, ancient civilizations, and cultural development. It's not just about reading facts — it's about understanding how humans have grown and adapted over time.

The CUET UG Anthropology (HUQP02) syllabus helps students build strong analytical and observational skills while preparing them for careers in research, archaeology, civil services, and more. Whether you're a science or humanities student, this subject offers a unique blend of both. Dive into the full article to explore topic-wise details and how to prepare smartly for CUET UG Anthropology.

CUET Anthropology Syllabus 2026 Overview

The CUET UG 2026 Anthropology syllabus will be out soon on the official NTA website – cuet.nta.nic.in. You’ll also find the complete Anthropology syllabus here in both PDF and easy table format. There will likely be no significant changes to the syllabus, as the topics will be based on Class 12, and students will need to prepare and revise well. 

To understand the exam pattern better, it’s smart to check the CUET previous years’ question papers. CUET UG 2026 will be held in the online format around May-June 2023. The exam date and a detailed subject-wise schedule will be announced soon by the NTA. Anthropology will be one of the 36 domain subjects that can be taken in CUET UG for admission to central universities. The CUET syllabus for Anthropology consists of the following 5 units:

• Physical Anthropology
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Material culture and economic Anthropology
• Social Anthropology and Ethnography
• Ecology

CUET Anthropology Exam Pattern 2026

All students willing to take the upcoming CUET Anthropology Exam must first carefully review the detailed CUET exam pattern. As per the exam pattern, the CUET UG 2026 will be conducted in online Computer-Based Test Mode at various examination centers across the country. Students can also check the overview of the latest exam pattern in the table shared below and start their preparation.

CUET UG Anthropology (HUQP02) Detailed Syllabus 

Students getting ready for the CUET 2026 exam can easily go through the chapter-wise Anthropology syllabus listed in the table below. It gives a clear and simple breakdown of all the topics you need to study. This will help you plan your preparation better and stay focused on the right chapters for scoring well in the Anthropology section of the CUET UG exam.

Unit 1: Physical Anthropology

• Preliminary knowledge of Human genetics. Mendel’s Laws of Heredity: Monohybrid and Dihybrid Ratios.
• Definition of Race and Racial criteria, the significance of skin color, Eye form, and color, Head form, and ABa blood groups as racial criteria.
• Racial classification, distinctive physical features, and geographical distribution of the major racial groups of men: Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid, and Australoid.

Unit 2: Prehistoric Archaeology

• Tool Making: Techniques of manufacturing core and flake tools, primary and secondary flaking, pressure flaking, grinding, and polishing. Materials used in making prehistoric tools.
• Tool families: Pebble tools, Handaxe, Cleaver, Scrapers, Microliths, Points, Blades, Awl, Graver, Celts, Sickles, Spearhead, Arrowhead, and Bone tools.
• Prehistoric Cultures: A brief outline of the following prehistoric cultures of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods-
• A comparative study of the salient features of Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures.

Unit 3: Material culture and economic Anthropology

• Economic life: meaning and aspects, characteristic features of the primitive or simple economic system.
• Subsistence economy: domestication of animals- pastoralism, agriculture, shifting cultivation, horticulture, terrace cultivation, and plough cultivation.
• A brief outline of the methods of hunting, fishing, and agriculture with reference to Various communities of North East India as far as practicable.

Unit 4: Social Anthropology and Ethnography

A: Social Anthropology :

1. Family: Definition, forms, and types: nuclear family, joint family, a family of orientation, family of procreation, monogamous and polygamous (polygynous and polyandrous).
2. A clustered relationship in a nuclear family.
3. Rules of residence: Patrilocal, matrilocal, neolocal, avunculocal, bi-local, matripatrial local.
   Rules of descent: Patrilineal and matrilineal descent.
4. Functions of the family, the social nature of the family.

B: Ethnography :

1. A brief outline of the land and people of North-East India.
2. Study of the material culture and economic life of the following communities
3. The Garo: Shifting or Jhum cultivation.
4. The Mishing: Plough cultivation
5. A study of the social organization of the Ao Naga and the Apatani.

Unit 5: Ecology

• Meaning and definition of ecology and environment.
• Elements of the environment: Solid, liquid, and gas.
• Physical or abiotic environment, biological or biotic environment, and socio-cultural environment.
• Man is the main agent in disturbing the ecological balance.

Most Important Topics for CUET Anthropology Syllabus

Wondering which topics matter most in CUET UG Anthropology? Focus on key areas like biological anthropology, socio-cultural aspects, prehistoric archaeology, and human evolution. These topics not only form the base of the subject but also carry high weightage in the exam.

• Theories of evolution and human evolution stages
• Mendelian genetics and inheritance patterns
• Stone Age tools and archaeological sites
• Cultural relativism and ethnocentrism
• Tribes in India and social movements
• Impact of modernization and colonialism

Best Books for CUET UG Anthropology Exam Prep

Here’s a list of the best books for CUET UG Anthropology exam preparation. These books cover the syllabus effectively, are student-friendly, and are useful for both concept clarity and practice:

• NCERT Anthropology (Class 11 & 12)
• Trueman’s Anthropology - by A.K. Pandey
• Anthropology Guide for CUET - by Arihant Experts
• Anthropology Objective Book - by RPH Editorial Board
• Oswal CUET Question Bank – Anthropology

Courses Offered After CUET UG Anthropology Exam

If you appeared for the CUET UG Anthropology (HUQP02) domain subject. Here are a few degree and program options using the CUET Anthropology exam.

Bachelor (UG) Programs

• B.A. (Hons.) Anthropology 
• General B.A. Anthropology
• B.A. (Hons.) Sociology, Political Science, History, or Philosophy, where Anthropology is accepted as one of the optional domain subjects 
• B.A. (Hons.) Humanities & Social Science, where combinations include Anthropology.

Integrated Programs (UG + PG)

Some universities offer integrated five-year programs combining Anthropology with a master’s degree:

• Integrated M.A. (Anthropology) — selection includes Anthropology and the CUET General Test
• Integrated B.A.–M.A. in Anthropology — requires only CUET and 10+2 pass marks

Get Ready for CUET 2026 the Smart Way

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