1. Socio-cultural Anthropology
2. Physical Anthropology
3. Archaeological Anthropology
4. Applied Anthropology
5. Linguistic Anthropology
6. Job Prospects
7. Training process
8. Degree Programs offered in this field
9. International Focus

             Anthropology is the science that studies the evolution of man. It engages in the study of human existence, behavioral development and the physical, social and cultural specifications of particular groups. Anthropological is a science, which studies the origin and the physical, social and cultural development and behavior of mankind. It encompasses the study of the origin of human species as well as the physical and cultural diversity among humans, living at the same period of time, at various parts of the world in different environments. Anthropology has several branches, such as Socio-cultural Anthropology, Applied Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, Archaeological Anthropology, Historical Anthropology, Feminist Anthropology, etc.

Socio-cultural Anthropology

Socio-cultural Anthropology investigates the physical, social and mental traits of man in relation to the social group to which he belongs. It is the study of the group behavior of tribes, communities and bands.

Physical Anthropology

Physical Anthropology studies the biological evolution of man, the physical variation of races, human genetics and the body’s response to the changing environment.

Archaeological Anthropology

Archaeological Anthropology engages in the excavation of relics and bones in order to understand the chronological sequence of events, i.e., a writing of human history based on non-literary evidences.

Applied Anthropology

Applied Anthropology involves the application of anthropological research data to understand certain anomalies and debilities in specific societies. This information is used by government agencies in areas like birth control, mal-nutrition, medicine, tribal welfare, etc.

Linguistic Anthropology

Linguistic Anthropology studies the origin and growth of written and unwritten languages.

Job Prospects

Qualified anthropologists can seek employment in the academies and in the anthropological and archaeological research organizations. Museums employ anthropologists for excavation and reconstruction of pre-historic sites. Medical organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) use the services of anthropologists to tackle the issues related to public health, nutrition and disease. Anthropologists are also employed in the Planning Commission and the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In the Communication Sector, they are an asset in HRD organizations because of their expertise in understanding the relations between industry and society. Anthropologists with expertise in Forensic Science can be useful in the Police department for the purposes of crime detection. Thus the scope of employment for experts in this field is wide and varied.

Training process

An aspirant in this field begins at the graduate level and then proceeds to become a Master of the subject. Doctoral and post-doctoral researches are important in order to gain recognition and repute in this field.

Other specializations include Linguistic Anthropology, Historical Anthropology, Feminist Anthropology, etc.
List of Institutions offering BA/B.Sc/MA/M.Sc Course in Anthropology

• Andhra University, Waltair, Vishakapatanam – 530 003
• Bangalore University, Bangalore – 560 056
• Berhampur University,  Bhanja Bihar, berhampur – 760 007, Ganjam District, Orissa
• Dibrugharh University, Dibrugarh, Assam
• Dr.Hari Singh Gour Vishwa Vidyala, Gour Nagar, Sagar, M.P
• Guwahati University, P.O., Gopinath Bordill Nagar, Guwahati, Assam
• Hemavati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal, UP
• Karnataka University, Pavate Nagar, Dharwad, Karnataka
• Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana
• Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal, Manipur
• Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar – 522 510
• North Eastern Hill University, Shillong – 793 002
• North Maharashtra University, Jalagaon – 425 010
• Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur – 492 010
• Pune University, Pune – 411 007
• Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab – 147 002
• Punjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, Punjab
• Ranchi University, Ranchi – 834 001
• Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Orissa
• Siddhu Kanhu University, Dumka – 814 001
• Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati, Chittor District, AP
• University of Allahabad, Allahabad – 211 002
• University  of Calcuttta, Senate House, 87, College Street, Calcutta
• University of delhi, Delhi – 110 007
• University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad – 500 046
• University of Mumbai, Mumbai – 400 001
• University of Mysore, Mysore- 570 005
• University of Rajasthan, Jaipur – 302 004
• Utkal Sagar University, Vani Vihar P.O., Bhubaneshwar-4, Orissa
• Vidya Sagar University, Midnapore P.O, West Bengal
• Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh – 825 301
• Visva Bharati University Santhiniketan P.O., PIN: 731 235

International Focus

The American Anthropological Association, 4350N, Fairfax Dr., Suite 640, Arlington, VA-22203, USA.

Prospects
Anthropology as a career is an area that is still evolving to its full potential. In a country like India where people of diverse cultures, languages, races and ethnicities co-exist, the anthropologist can have a challenging and vibrant role to play. The scope of anthropological studies in areas like mass communications and services is yet to be fully explored. So this is the one sector that will burnish with time.