The Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) is the premier organization in the field of anthropology and allied disciplines. It was established on December 1, 1945, at Varanasi, and later shifted to the Indian Museum at Kolkata in 1948. The roots of the organization trace back to the Zoological Survey of India, from which it was carved out as an independent entity to conduct scientific studies on the diverse human populations of the Indian subcontinent.
Administrative Framework and Nodal Ministry
AnSI operates as a Subordinate Office under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Its headquarters is located in Kolkata, West Bengal. To facilitate field research across India’s diverse geographical landscape, it maintains several regional and sub-regional centers:
- Regional Centres: Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar), Shillong (North East), Nagpur (Central), Dehradun (North), Udaipur (West), and Mysore (South).
- Sub-Regional Centres: Jagdalpur and Ranchi.
- Field Stations: Various locations including Sagar and Itanagar.
Core Mandate and Objectives
The primary objective of AnSI is to study Indian populations from both biological and cultural perspectives. Its mandate includes:
- Conducting bio-cultural investigations on Indian populations, with a specific focus on Tribes and Weaker Sections.
- Documenting and preserving the physical characteristics and cultural heritage of diverse ethnic groups.
- Studying the impact of modernization and developmental processes on traditional societies.
- Functioning as a repository for skeletal remains and ethnographic artifacts.
Significant Projects and Research Initiatives
The AnSI is renowned for executing massive, pan-India research projects that serve as benchmarks for ethnographic data.
| Project Name | Key Significance and Findings |
|---|---|
| People of India (POI) | Launched in 1985, it is the most ambitious project identifying 4,635 communities in India, documenting their culture, language, and biological traits. |
| DNA Polymorphism of Contemporary Indian Populations | A molecular study aimed at understanding the genetic diversity and migration patterns of the Indian population. |
| Palaeo-anthropological Investigations | Research focused on early human remains and stone tool industries (e.g., Narmada Valley studies). |
| Community Genetics | Focused on studying genetic disorders like Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassemia in specific tribal groups. |
Ethnographic Museums and Conservation
The AnSI maintains Zonal Anthropological Museums at its regional centers. These museums serve as educational hubs that display:
- Artifacts: Rare tribal tools, ornaments, costumes, and household items.
- Skeletal Collections: Including significant prehistoric remains that provide clues to human evolution in South Asia.
- Documentation: Thousands of feet of ethnographic films and rare photographs documenting indigenous lifestyles that are rapidly changing.
Key Functions in Policy Support
The AnSI provides crucial data to the Government of India for administrative and developmental planning:
- Scheduling of Tribes: Providing ethnographic reports to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to assist in the identification and classification of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
- PVTG Identification: Intensive studies on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) to monitor their health, nutrition, and population trends.
- Linguistic Diversity: Documenting endangered languages and dialects through the “Linguistic Survey of India” components.
Significance for UPSC Prelims
- Scientific Father: Dr. B.S. Guha was the first Director of AnSI and a pioneer in the racial classification of the Indian population.
- UNESCO Link: AnSI frequently collaborates with international bodies on projects related to “Intangible Cultural Heritage.”
- Anthropological Publications: It publishes the journal Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India (formerly Human Science).
- The Narmada Man: AnSI has been involved in the study of the Homo erectus skull cap found in the Narmada Valley (Hathnora), which is central to Indian palaeo-anthropology.
Notable Facts and Trivia
- The AnSI is the only organization in the world that pursues anthropological research (both Physical and Cultural) in such a holistic and government-supported manner.
- It houses the largest collection of ancient human skeletal remains in Asia, ranging from the Harappan civilization to the megalithic periods.
- The National DNA Bank at Kolkata is a critical facility maintained by AnSI to preserve the genetic map of India’s diverse ethnic groups.
- During the Tsunami of 2004, AnSI played a vital role in reporting on the safety and status of the isolated tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, such as the Sentinelese and Jarawas.