Art & Culture › Philosophy & Religion – UPSC Prelims PYQs

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

With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets ?

1. Nayaputta
2. Shakyamuni
3. Tathagata

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Consider the following statements :

1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on :

"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 texts :

1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts ?

With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs : Historical person

1. Aryadeva — Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga — Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni — Vaishnava scholar

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

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?

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

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 ?

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?

Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?

The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

Consider the following statements :

1. ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2. The Philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?

Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine?

1. The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
2. Every object, even the smallest particle, has a soul.
3. Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school :

1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul.
2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by

Among the following, who was not a proponent of bhakti cult ?

Anekāntavāda is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following?

Bhakta Tukaram was a contemporary of which Mughal Emperor?

Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells?

Which one of the following sequences indicates the correct chronological order?

In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the

The concept of Eight-fold path forms the theme of

Many of the Greeks, Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism rather than Hinduism because

The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the

Milindapanho is in the form of a dialogue between the King Menander and the Buddhist monk

Prem Vatika, poems on the life of Krishna, was composed by

According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas the sequential order of the cycle of four aeons (Yugas) is

Which one of the following is not a part of early Jaina literature?

Which of the following were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? I. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment. II. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas III. Denial of efficacy of rituals IV. Non-injury to animal life

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Which one of the following was a Saiva sect in ancient India?

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

The word ‘Hindu’ as reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by

According to the Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation is possible by means of

The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by