UPSC CSE Prelims
Religions in India Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Religions in India
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With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
- Nettipakarana
- Parishishtaparvan
- Avadanashataka
- Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts ?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 4 only
Among the given texts, only Parishishtaparvan and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana are Jaina texts. Nettipakarana is a Buddhist Theravada scripture, while Avadanashataka is a collection of Buddhist legends.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Nettipakarana is a Buddhist scripture from the Theravada tradition that serves as a guide for interpreting the Pali Canon.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Parishishtaparvan (Sthaviravalicharitra) is a 12th-century Jaina text written by Hemachandra, providing historical accounts of early Jaina teachers.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Avadanashataka is a Sanskrit collection of one hundred Buddhist legends (Avadanas) detailing past lives and deeds.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana (Mahapurana) is a major 9th-century Jaina text by Digambara monks Jinasena and Gunabhadra, detailing the lives of 63 Shalakapurushas.
📝 Short Notes: Religious Texts Classification
| Text | Religion | Author/Period | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nettipakarana | Buddhist (Theravada) | Post-canonical period | Guide to interpretation of Pali Canon |
| Parishishtaparvan | Jaina | Hemachandra (12th century) | Historical accounts of Jaina teachers; appendix to larger work |
| Avadanashataka | Buddhist | Sanskrit literature | Collection of 100 Buddhist legends (Avadanas) |
| Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana | Jaina (Digambara) | Jinasena & Gunabhadra (9th century) | Lives of 63 Shalakapurushas (Great Men) |
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: Historical - Person Known as
- Aryadeva - Jaina scholar
- Dignaga - Buddhist scholar
- Nathamuni - Vaishnava scholar
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — Only two pairs
This question tests knowledge of historical Indian scholars and their philosophical traditions. Out of the three pairs given, two are correctly matched while one is incorrect.
❌ Pair 1 – Incorrect: Aryadeva was a Buddhist philosopher and Madhyamaka scholar, not a Jaina scholar. He was a disciple of Nagarjuna and associated with Nalanda monastery.
✅ Pair 2 – Correct: Dignaga was indeed a Buddhist scholar renowned for his pioneering work in Buddhist logic (Pramana) and epistemology, influencing later philosophers like Dharmakirti.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Nathamuni was a Vaishnava scholar who revived the Sri Vaishnava tradition and compiled the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of Tamil devotional hymns.
📝 Short Notes: Major Indian Philosophical Scholars
| Scholar | Tradition | Time Period | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aryadeva | Buddhist (Madhyamaka) | 2nd-3rd century CE | Disciple of Nagarjuna; wrote Catuhsataka (Four Hundred Verses); propagated Sunyavada |
| Dignaga | Buddhist (Yogacara) | 5th-6th century CE | Founder of Buddhist logic; wrote Pramanasamuccaya; established Pramana theory |
| Nathamuni | Vaishnava (Sri Vaishnava) | 9th-10th century CE | Revived Sri Vaishnava tradition; compiled Divya Prabandham; grandfather of Yamunacharya |
| Dharmakirti | Buddhist | 7th century CE | Developed Dignaga's logic; wrote Pramanavartika |
| Ramanuja | Vaishnava | 11th-12th century CE | Propounded Vishishtadvaita; systematized Sri Vaishnava philosophy |
Consider the following statements::
- St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.
- St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there.
- The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 1 and 3 Only
This question tests knowledge about St. Francis Xavier, an important historical figure associated with Christianity in Goa. Statement 1 and 3 are correct, while Statement 2 contains a factual error regarding his place of death.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: St. Francis Xavier was indeed one of the seven founding members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order) in 1534, along with Ignatius of Loyola.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: St. Francis Xavier did not die in Goa; he died on Shangchuan Island (Sancian) off the coast of China in 1552. However, the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa houses his mortal remains and is dedicated to him.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Goencho Saib) is celebrated annually on December 3rd in Goa, with his body exposed for public veneration every ten years.
📝 Short Notes: St. Francis Xavier and Christianity in Goa
- St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552): Spanish Jesuit missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order) in 1534.
- Mission to India: Arrived in Goa in 1542 and worked extensively in South India, converting thousands to Christianity.
- Death: Died on Shangchuan Island (off China coast) in 1552 while attempting to enter China.
- Basilica of Bom Jesus: UNESCO World Heritage Site in Old Goa, built in 1605, houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier.
- Feast of St. Francis Xavier: Celebrated on December 3rd annually; the saint's body is exposed for public viewing (Exposition) once every 10 years.
- Legacy: Patron saint of Goa and one of the most influential Christian missionaries in Asia.
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With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — Jainism
The Sthanakvasi sect is a reformist subsect within Jainism that emerged in the 17th century as a protest against idol worship and temple rituals. The name 'Sthanakvasi' literally means 'those who dwell in halls' (sthanak), referring to their practice of worshipping in simple prayer halls rather than ornate temples. This sect emphasizes ascetic practices, scriptural study, and spiritual discipline over ritualistic worship.
📝 Short Notes: Major Jain Sects
| Sect | Key Features | Origin Period |
|---|---|---|
| Digambara | Sky-clad (naked) monks; believe women cannot attain moksha directly; stricter practices | Ancient division (around 300 BCE) |
| Shvetambara | White-clad monks; accept that women can attain moksha; use mouth-covers | Ancient division (around 300 BCE) |
| Sthanakvasi | Reject idol worship; worship in simple halls (sthanaks); emphasize meditation and scriptures; subsect of Shvetambara | 17th century CE (emerged around 1653) |
| Terapanthi | Further reformed sect; centralized leadership under one Acharya; strict non-violence; subsect of Sthanakvasi | 18th century CE (1760) |
- The Sthanakvasi movement was founded by a merchant named Lavaji in Gujarat as a protest against the murtipujak (idol-worshipping) tradition.
- Both Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi sects focus on inner spirituality rather than external ritualism.
- These reformist movements emphasize the original teachings of Mahavira and strict adherence to Jain principles.
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
- 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?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
This question tests knowledge of Buddhist philosophical schools, not Jainism or theatre. Statement 1 incorrectly identifies Sautrantika and Sammitiya as Jain sects when they were actually Buddhist schools. Statement 2 correctly describes the Sarvastivada doctrine of permanent existence of dharmas across past, present, and future.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Sautrantika and Sammitiya were Buddhist philosophical schools, not Jain sects; Sautrantika emphasized sutras over Abhidharma, while Sammitiya upheld the existence of a self (pudgala).
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Sarvastivadins held the doctrine "sarvam asti" (everything exists), believing that dharmas (constituents of phenomena) existed permanently in latent form across all three times rather than being wholly momentary.
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements :
- The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
- Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
- 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?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana Buddhism, not Hinayana (Theravada). Hinayana emphasizes the Arhat ideal—one who achieves personal liberation (Nirvana). Mahayana, in contrast, celebrates the Bodhisattva path of compassionate service to all beings.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: A Bodhisattva is a being who has developed enlightenment qualities but is characterized by boundless compassion. They are on the path to full Buddhahood while actively working for the welfare of all sentient beings.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The defining feature of a Bodhisattva is the vow to delay entering final Nirvana until all sentient beings are liberated. This selfless commitment distinguishes the Bodhisattva ideal from the Arhat ideal, making it the cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of Buddha?
- Avanti
- Gandhara
- Kosala
- Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 (Avanti) – Incorrect: Avanti kingdom (capital Ujjain) had no direct association with Buddha's life; Buddhism spread here later during Mauryan period.
❌ Statement 2 (Gandhara) – Incorrect: Gandhara became a Buddhist art centre under Kushanas (1st-2nd century CE), centuries after Buddha's time; no connection to his life events.
✅ Statement 3 (Kosala) – Correct: Kosala kingdom included Kapilavastu (Buddha's birthplace, though Lumbini technically in Shakya territory) and Sravasti where Buddha spent many rainy seasons (vassas) teaching.
✅ Statement 4 (Magadha) – Correct: Magadha was central to Buddha's ministry; he attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, gave first sermon at Sarnath (near Magadha), spent years in Rajgriha under King Bimbisara's patronage, and attained Parinirvana at Kushinagar.
Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine?
- The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance.
- Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul.
- Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Nirjara (annihilation of karma) in Jain doctrine is achieved through penance (tapas) and austerities, which help shed accumulated karmic particles from the soul.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Jainism believes in universal vitalism – every object including stones, water, fire, and air possesses a soul (jiva), making even the smallest particle a living entity.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Karma is viewed as subtle matter that binds the soul and obstructs its natural qualities of infinite knowledge and bliss; liberation (moksha) requires complete elimination of karmic bondage.
All three statements are correct.
Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
Detailed Explanation:
Nirvana in Buddhism literally means "blowing out" or "extinguishing", referring to the extinction of the flame of desire (trishna), hatred, and ignorance.
It represents the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the end of the cycle of rebirth (samsara), achieved when all cravings and attachments are eliminated, not the annihilation of self or a mere blissful state.
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
- Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
- Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
- Denial of the efficacy of rituals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Buddhism advocated the Middle Path (Madhyama Marga) avoiding extremes of luxury and penance, but Jainism emphasized extreme asceticism and severe penance for spiritual liberation.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Both Buddhism and Jainism rejected the authority of the Vedas and did not consider them as ultimate religious texts, marking them as heterodox (Nastika) traditions.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Both traditions denied the efficacy of Vedic rituals and sacrifices (yajnas), emphasizing instead personal ethical conduct, right knowledge, and mental discipline for attaining liberation.