Updated on May 23, 2024 05:36 IST

Anthropology is the comprehensive study of human beings in biological and socio-cultural aspects. Anthropology has gained significance over the years and has extended its reach to many domains such as Healthcare, Academia, Disaster Management, Business and Human Rights. The graduates of Anthropology can pursue professions such as Anthropologist, People and Culture Manager, Forensic Anthropologist, Field Investigator and Health Educator. The average salary of an Anthropology Professor is INR 15.5 LPA.

They can also become gazetted Government Officers by qualifying for competitive exams such as UPSC CSE, SBI PO, IBPS PO and UPPSC. Placement sessions are conducted at postgraduate-level and doctoral-level Anthropology courses. Some popular colleges that offer lucrative packages during campus placements to Anthropology graduates are Ashoka University, Calcutta University, Dibrugarh University and Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts.

Table of Contents
  1. Anthropology Jobs in India: Facts
  2. Top Job Profiles in Anthropology
    • 2.1 Government & Private Sector Jobs in Anthropology
  3. Emerging Trends in Anthropology
  4. Anthropology Scope in India: Jobs, Salary and Further Education
    • 4.1 Competitive Exams after Anthropology
    • 4.2 Courses after Anthropology
    • 4.3 Top Recruiters for Anthropology Graduates in India
  5. Best Anthropology Colleges for Placements (In India)
  6. Anthropology Career 2024: FAQs

Anthropology Jobs in India: Facts

Some of the important facts related to an Anthropology career are mentioned below:

  • Anthropology has been a popular optional subject among UPSC CSE toppers. The Government of India offers a wide range of job opportunities to the students of Anthropology.
  • An Anthropology graduate can become a Community Service Manager. It is one of the highest-paid professions in the field with an average salary of around INR 13 LPA in India and $142,217 abroad.

Top Job Profiles in Anthropology

Anthropology is a field that has its complete focus on human beings. Therefore, the career options in Anthropology revolve around dealing with people, organising them, investigating them and improving their lives. Research and Scientific fields require a strong command over Physical Anthropology whereas Corporates require competency in Socio-cultural Anthropology.

Government & Private Sector Jobs in Anthropology

Given below are some of the top career options, available in the government and private sector of India, that an Anthropology graduate can pursue:

Job Profile

Job Description

Average Salary (in INR)

Anthropologist

Anthropologists study humans in multiple aspects and are involved in fieldwork and research.

2.7 LPA

People and Culture Manager

A People and Culture Manager provides assistance and support to employees throughout their lifecycle in the company.

12 LPA

Forensic Anthropologist

A Forensic Anthropologist studies human remains, such as bones, for research or crime investigation.

4 LPA

Field Investigator

A Field Investigator investigates, performs surveillance and gathers necessary information.

2.5 LPA

Health Educator

A Health Educator provides healthy lifestyle habits to improve mental and physical well-being.

2 LPA

Note: The salaries mentioned above may vary depending on the company offering the job.

Emerging Trends in Anthropology

Given below are some of the merging trends in Anthropology:

  •       Corporate Anthropology:  Anthropologists analyse human conduct based on scrutiny and survey
  •       Design Anthropology: It is an application of Anthropology in the Design field. It involves the creation of products with contemporary relevance using ethnographic methods.
  •       Artistic Anthropology: The field of Artistic Anthropology is concerned with visual arts such as displays in museums and performance arts such as dance.

Anthropology Scope in India: Jobs, Salary and Further Education

Anthropology graduates can work in government as well as private sector in India. It is important to know that most jobs that Anthropology graduates can apply for are generic. These jobs are also open for candidates who have graduated in other disciplines. However, since Anthropology is a unique discipline that correlates with many other disciplines, Anthropology serves as a gateway to a wide range of job prospects.

Anthropology graduates can find job opportunities in the following sectors:

Research Field: Research is a popular option among Anthropology graduates. Developmental Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology and Action Anthropology are some research topics in the field.

Social Work: Anthropology graduates can make good Social Workers. Their understanding of people, cultures and traditions will help them reach out to people from all walks of life.

NGOs: Non-governmental organisations offer various job roles such as Activism Coordinator, Impact Advisor, Outreach Coordinator and Communications Officer.

Competitive Exams after Anthropology

Several All-India and State-level competitive exams are conducted to select candidates for recruitment into government services. Anthropology graduates can apply for these exams provided they satisfy the eligibility criteria. Some of these exams are as follows:

Anthropology Competitive Exams

Description

UPSC CSE

It is conducted to select candidates for Group A services under the Government of India.

SBI PO

It is conducted for recruitment to Banking Services in the State Bank of India.

IBPS PO

It is conducted for recruitment to Banking Services in many government banks in India.

UPPSC PCS

It is a state-level exam conducted in Uttar Pradesh for recruitment to Group A and Group B services.

Courses after Anthropology

After completing a course in Anthropology, candidates can opt for a course in the same field or the management field. Anthropology courses are offered as a specialization in Arts and Science degrees and the candidates are advised to choose the courses based on their job preferences.

Candidates can refer to the table below to learn about courses after Anthropology:

Courses after Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology

Course Description

Job Scope

MA in Anthropology

In the MA in Anthropology Course, the primary focus is on the theoretical and analytical aspects of various branches of Anthropology. Fieldwork and project work are also a part of the course curriculum.

MA Anthropology graduates can work as teachers or Assistant Professors in Universities. They have more scope in fields associated with Cultural Anthropology.

MSc in Anthropology

MSc in Anthropology primarily focuses on Physical or Biological Anthropology. The course has theoretical as well as practical subjects.

MSc Anthropology graduates can work as Scientists and Science teachers. They have more scope in scientific fields.

MBA

MBA is a master’s level programme in Business Administration. Many candidates prefer to pursue.

An MBA widens the scope of job prospects for a candidate in the management field. It also helps Anthropology graduates to serve in managerial-level positions in Anthropology jobs.

Courses after Master’s Degree in Anthropology

PhD in Anthropology

PhD is the highest level academic degree in any field. Its primary focus is on research and thesis.

On completing PhD in Anthropology, candidates can become Professors in Universities.

Top Recruiters for Anthropology Graduates in India

Anthropology graduates can find employment opportunities in various media houses, educational institutions, government organisations and private companies. These recruiters look for candidates with the necessary skills to perform the job efficiently. Fresh graduates are usually hired based on their academic performance and experienced professionals are shortlisted based on their previous job experience.

Given below are some of the top Anthropology Recruiters in India:

 Top Anthropology Recruiters

Reliance Entertainment

Qrata

Anthropological Survey of India

UTV Motion Pictures

Trace Presence

Department of Anthropology, Delhi University

Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad

Public Arts Trust of India

Josh Talks

Indian Council of Historical Research

Best Anthropology Colleges for Placements (In India)

Given below are some of the top colleges which provide excellent placements to Anthropology graduates:

Anthropology Colleges

Average Fees (in INR)

Average Salary (in INR)

University of Lucknow

20.48 K - 28.22 K

14.4 LPA

Ashoka University

38.96 L

10 LPA

Calcutta University

12 K

9.2 LPA

Dibrugarh University

8.94 K

9 LPA

Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts

16.3 L

8.9 LPA

Note: The salaries and fees mentioned above may vary.

Anthropology Career 2024: FAQs

Q. What is the difference between an Anthropologist and a Sociologist?

A. Anthropology and Sociology share some common links with each other. Both these fields involve the study of society. The job profiles of an Anthropologist and a Sociologist are often used interchangeably but their job scope and applications are different.

Given below are some of the common differences between an Anthropologist and a Sociologist:

Anthropologists

Sociologists

Their primary focus is on the cultural aspects of society.

Their primary focus is on the processes that shape the society.

The study about the society without offering any suggestions.

They provide suggestions to overcome social issues.

It has a wider area of focus ranging from primitive societies to present-day modern societies.

They study modern societies across the globe.

Generic methodologies are used for data collection.

They make use of specific methods to collect data.

Margaret Mead, Ruth Benedict, Clifford Geertz and Bronisław Malinowski are some of the famous Anthropologists.

Karl Marx, Harriet Martineau, Robert Merton and Ann Oakley are some of the famous Anthropologists.

Q. Can I become an Anthropology School Teacher?

A. No, Anthropology is not covered as a subject in most school boards such as CBSE, ICSE and State Boards. However, it is covered as a subject in Classes 11 and 12 in Kerala State Board. The basic eligibility criteria to become a teacher may vary depending on the school. Most schools prefer candidates who have completed a B.Ed course, master’s degree holders or PhD graduates.

Suggestions:

  • The candidates can teach subjects such as Sociology and History for classes 11 and 12. These subjects are related to the field of Sociocultural Anthropology.
  • MSc in Anthropology graduates can also teach Environmental Science or Science from Classes 6 to 8.
  • Anthropology Graduates can also teach various subjects for primary classes.
  • Those who have completed a master’s degree in Anthropology can work as Lab Assistants or Associate Professors in colleges and universities.
  • Those interested in teaching can work in Coaching institutes as several competitive exams have Anthropology as an optional subject.

Q. What are the benefits of pursuing an MBA after an undergraduate degree in Anthropology?

A. MBA is a great career option for candidates who have completed undergraduate courses in any discipline. Anthropology graduates can pursue the course if they want to switch their careers. Given below are several benefits of pursuing an MBA after BA in Anthropology or BSc in Anthropology:

Wide range of Career Opportunities:  Anthropology graduates after pursuing an MBA can work in the marketing field, business, finance, management and consultancy firms.

Leadership Quality: An MBA program focuses on equipping students with management skills and leadership qualities. It prepares them for leadership positions in an organisation.

A broader range of skills: Anthropology graduates are usually good at critical thinking and analytical skills. An MBA can help them develop statistical and organisational skills.

Opportunity for Networking: Since an MBA is open for candidates from all disciplines, there will be scope for networking with students with different academic backgrounds. They can also interact with alumni and industry specialists.

Q. What does a People and Culture Manager do?

A. People Culture Manager is a senior-level position in an organisation. They are involved in the recruitment process and are concerned with hiring candidates with good interpersonal and team-building skills. They also engage with employees to motivate them and improve their performance. They set guidelines for social interaction and using of shared resources. They develop and maintain the work culture in the company. They also focus on conflict resolution and team management. 

Q. What are the job prospects for a candidate who has studied Tribal Anthropology?

A.Tribal Anthropology involves the study of tribes in terms of their origin, social stratification, cultural practices, marriage, kinship and organisation. The candidates who have studied Tribal Anthropology can work in Tribal Development jobs. Some of these jobs are as follows:

Tribal Development Jobs

Average Salary of Tribal Development Jobs 

Conservation Officer

1.4 LPA

Child Development Project Officer

6 LPA

Sales Head (Handicraft)

3 LPA

District Resource Person

6.5 LPA - 7.9 LPA

Resource Person

7.8 LPA

Note: The salaries given above may vary depending the organisation.

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Anthropology. Students interested in pursuing a career on Anthropology, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Counselling Start

TENTATIVE

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Result

TENTATIVE

21 Feb ' 25

SAT Registration Deadline for March Test

25 Feb ' 25

SAT Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, a...

Feb '25 - Apr '25

CUET 2025 Application Process

TENTATIVE

Apr '25

CUET UG 2025 Application Form Correction

TENTATIVE

Jun '25 - Jul '25

CPGET 2025 Applications

TENTATIVE

Jul '25

CPGET 2025 Admit Card Release

TENTATIVE

Popular Anthropology Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Anthropology Colleges in India. Learn more about these Anthropology colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
1 Course
432
7 LPA

#5 The Week

1 Course
32.34 K
6.6 LPA

#2 Outlook

2.14 L - 3.02 L
2.0

#44 The Week

1 Course

#98 India Today

1 Course

#142 India Today

1 Course
480
16 LPA

Popular Private Anthropology Colleges in India

4 L - 7.7 L
2.14 L - 3.02 L
2.0

#44 The Week

40.91 L
10 LPA
Course is also offered in 3 year course duration
1 Course
432
7 LPA

#5 The Week

1 Course
32.34 K
6.6 LPA

#2 Outlook

1 Course

#98 India Today

Popular Anthropology UG Courses

Following are the most popular Anthropology UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Anthropology PG Courses

Following are the most popular Anthropology PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Popular Anthropology Specializations

Following are the most popular Anthropology Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Student Forum

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Answered a week ago

Yes, Deendayal Upadhyaya University offers an M.Sc. in Anthropology. The programme is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and research opportunities in various branches of anthropology, such as physical anthropology, archaeology, social anthropology, and cultural anthropology.

To app

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Rupesh Katariya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Hi!

Anthropology courses have four major specializations that a student can choose to pursue. 

Cultural Anthropology: It studies the creation and evolution of human cultures, customs, traditions, beliefs, and social systems.

Linguistic Anthropology: It explores the development of language and the vario

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muskan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

If you're looking for affordable options to pursue a BA in Anthropology, several universities and colleges in India offer quality education at relatively low fees.

The University of Delhi (DU) has numerous colleges like Hansraj College and Miranda House, with fees ranging from INR 15,000 to 40,000 pe

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S

Shraddha Vinaykumar

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

Sure you can get B.A. in Anthropology from Gujarat University for a price smaller compared to many private colleges would command. You'd pay about Rs 12,500 a year under this self-financing course charges. All you really have to do is clear the eligibility criteria - which means usually to finish wi

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Akash Kumar Gupta

Guide-Level 14

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