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13 questions

2026 · Question 5 · Religion and Philosophy
Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?
Choose your answer(a)Deva (gods)(b)Yaksha (demi-gods)(c)Manushya (humans)(d)Tiryancha (animals and plants)
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2023 · Question 47 · Religion and Philosophy
“Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects.” The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
Choose your answer(a)Buddhism(b)Jainism(c)Shaivism(d)Vaishnavism
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2022 · Question 56 · Religion and Philosophy
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs : Historical person | Known as 1. Aryadeva — Jaina scholar 2. Dignaga — Buddhist scholar 3. Nathamuni — Vaishnava scholar How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?
Choose your answer(a)None of the pairs(b)Only one pair(c)Only two pairs(d)All three pairs
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2022 · Question 95 · Religion and Philosophy
The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?
Choose your answer(a)The best means of salvation was devotion.(b)Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.(c)Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.(d)Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2021 · Question 39 · Religion and Philosophy
Consider the following statements : 1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order. 2. St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there. 3. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Choose your answer(a)1 and 2 only(b)2 and 3 only(c)1 and 3 only(d)1, 2 and 3
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2020 · Question 22 · Religion and Philosophy
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Choose your answer(a)1 and 2 only(b)2 and 3 only(c)3 only(d)1, 2 and 3
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2020 · Question 31 · Religion and Philosophy
With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’ ?
Choose your answer(a)The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style(b)Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas(c)Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path(d)Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2020 · Question 71 · Religion and Philosophy
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs : 1. Parivrajaka | Renunciant and Wanderer 2. Shramana | Priest with a high status 3. Upasaka | Lay follower of Buddhism Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?
Choose your answer(a)1 and 2 only(b)1 and 3 only(c)2 and 3 only(d)1, 2 and 3
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2019 · Question 9 · Religion and Philosophy
Consider the following : 1. Deification of the Buddha 2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas 3. Image worship and rituals Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?
Choose your answer(a)1 only(b)1 and 2 only(c)2 and 3 only(d)1, 2 and 3
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2018 · Question 71 · Religion and Philosophy
With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to
Choose your answer(a)Buddhism(b)Jainism(c)Vaishnavism(d)Shaivism
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2018 · Question 74 · Religion and Philosophy
With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ?
Choose your answer(a)Avalokiteshvara(b)Lokesvara(c)Maitreya(d)Padmapani
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2017 · Question 53 · Religion and Philosophy
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism. 2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Choose your answer(a)1 only(b)2 only(c)Both 1 and 2(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)
2016 · Question 50 · Religion and Philosophy
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. 2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment. 3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Choose your answer(a)1 only(b)2 and 3 only(c)2 only(d)1, 2 and 3
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)

Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?

“Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects.” The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs : Historical person | Known as 1. Aryadeva — Jaina scholar 2. Dignaga — Buddhist scholar 3. Nathamuni — Vaishnava scholar How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’ ?

With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs : 1. Parivrajaka | Renunciant and Wanderer 2. Shramana | Priest with a high status 3. Upasaka | Lay follower of Buddhism Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

Consider the following : 1. Deification of the Buddha 2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas 3. Image worship and rituals Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?

With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to

With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ?