UPSC Anthropologist Recruitment 2026

UPSC has released Advertisement No. 01/2026 for 2 Anthropologist posts in the Anthropological Survey of India under the Ministry of Culture. If you hold a Master's degree in Anthropology with at least 3 years of research experience, you can apply online through the UPSC ORA portal. The last date to submit your application is 17 April 2026. Selected candidates will draw a salary starting from Rs. 56,100 per month under Level 10 of the 7th CPC.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Anthropologist Recruitment 2026 - 2 Posts

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced recruitment for 2 Anthropologist positions in the Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture. One vacancy is in the Cultural Anthropology Division (reserved for OBC) and the other is in the Physical Anthropology Division (Unreserved). Both are permanent, Group-A Gazetted, Non-Ministerial posts with headquarters in Kolkata and All India Service Liability. This is a great opportunity for researchers with a strong background in anthropological studies to join a prestigious central government institution.

Vacancy Details

• Anthropologist (Cultural Anthropology Division): 1 post (OBC)
• Anthropologist (Physical Anthropology Division): 1 post (UR)

Category-wise Breakdown:

• General (UR): 1 post
• OBC: 1 post

Who Can Apply?

For Cultural Anthropology Division:

• Education: You need a Master's degree in Anthropology from a recognised university with more than 50% papers in Cultural Anthropology in your final year examination.
• Experience: You must have 3 years of research experience in Anthropology.

For Physical Anthropology Division:

• Education: You need a Master's degree in Anthropology from a recognised university with more than 50% papers in Physical Anthropology or Biological Anthropology in your final year examination.
• Experience: You must have 3 years of research experience in Anthropology.

Note: Qualifications are relaxable at the discretion of UPSC for otherwise well-qualified candidates.

Age Limit

• Maximum age for UR (Physical Anthropology Division): 35 years
• Maximum age for OBC (Cultural Anthropology Division): 38 years
• Age as on: 17 April 2026 (closing date for receipt of applications)
• SC/ST relaxation: Up to 5 years
• OBC relaxation: Up to 3 years (already included in 38 years limit)
• PwBD relaxation: Up to 10 years
• Ex-Servicemen: Up to 5 years
• Central Govt employees: Up to 5 years (with 3 years continuous service)

Salary

• Selected candidates will get a salary of Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month under Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix.
• You will also receive DA, HRA, TA and other allowances as per Central Government rules.
• This post is governed by the New Pension Scheme (NPS) effective from 01/01/2004.

Application Fee

• General / OBC (Male candidates): Rs. 25
• Female candidates (any community): No fee
• SC / ST candidates: No fee
• PwBD candidates: No fee
• Payment mode: Online only through Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or Internet Banking

Selection Process

Selection will be done through interview. If a large number of applications are received, UPSC may conduct shortlisting before the interview stage.

1. Shortlisting (if needed): UPSC may shortlist candidates based on higher qualifications, more experience, or a recruitment test to reduce numbers to a manageable level for interviews.
2. Interview / Personality Test: You will face a personal interview worth 100 marks. Minimum qualifying marks are: UR - 50, OBC - 45, SC/ST/PwBD - 40 out of 100.
3. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must bring printouts of their online application along with all original documents to UPSC.

How to Apply

1. Visit the UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal at upsconline.nic.in/ora.
2. Create your account if you are a new user (Account Creation module).
3. Complete your Universal Registration and Common Application Form (these are one-time modules that work across all UPSC recruitments).
4. Fill in the Post/Vacancy specific module for the Anthropologist post you wish to apply for.
5. Upload your photograph, signature (three signatures on white paper in black ink), and all supporting documents in PDF format.
6. Pay the application fee online (if applicable).
7. Review your application carefully and submit it. No changes can be made after submission.
8. Take a printout of the submitted application for your records.

Note: You are strongly advised to use your Aadhaar Card as the ID document for easy verification and authentication.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 27 March 2026
• Online Application Start: 28 March 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 17 April 2026 (up to 18:00 hrs)
• Interview Date: To be announced

• Lead field parties and carry out anthropological investigations in the assigned division
• Prepare detailed research plans and programmes for anthropological studies
• Supervise the research work of other scientific members in data collection and analysis
• Prepare comprehensive reports based on field investigations and research findings
• Contribute to the documentation and preservation of cultural and physical anthropological heritage
• Collaborate with other divisions and institutions on interdisciplinary research projects
• Carry out any other work assigned by the Head of the Department