Anthropology Optional Book List for Civil Services Mains Examination (UPSC)

Books which need to be read to develop conceptual clarity :- 

1. Ember and Ember (by Pearson group) 
2. Sapiens (Anthropology explained in easiest words) 

Essential Books for Paper 1 of Anthropology – 

1. P Nath (Physical Anthropology) This book is compulsory
2. B M Das (Physical Anthropology)  This  book is optional. You can read it to understand basics and get few diagrams.
3. History of Anthropological Thought  (Optional book, not essential. Read it for wider knowledge)

Telugu Academy books  (If you don’t want to read text-books, then these coaching material books are excellent substitute for whole paper 1). Highly recommended to get them.

1. Anthropological Thought 
2. Anthropology Volume – I (Human Genetics)
3. Anthropology Volume – II (Evolutionary Genetics) 
4. Anthropology Volume – III (Human Evolution)
5. Socio-Cultural Anthropology

Essential Books for Paper 2 of Anthropology – 

1. Nadeem Hussnain: Indian Anthropology (Compulsory Book)
2. Social Change in Modern India: M.N.Srinivas (Not necessary, read for wider understanding)
3. Nadeem Hussnain: Tribal India (Compulsory Book)
4. An Outline of Indian Prehistory: D K Bhattacharya (Selective reading needed) 

You can also get Braintree coaching material, which consists of concise notes in 3 volumes for both papers.

Please suggest more essential books necessary in this list in comments section.