UPSC CSE Prelims
Schools of Indian Philosophy Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Schools of Indian Philosophy with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?
Detailed Explanation:
The six orthodox (Astika) systems of Indian Philosophy are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta.
Lokayata (Charvaka) is a heterodox (Nastika) materialistic school rejecting Vedic authority, and Kapalika is a Tantric Shaivite sect, not a philosophical system—neither belongs to the six systems.
With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school:
- Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of the soul.
- 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?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Sankhya school accepts the theory of rebirth and transmigration of the soul (Purusha). The cycle of samsara continues due to ignorance of the distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter).
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Sankhya holds that liberation (kaivalya) is achieved through self-knowledge (viveka-jnana) – the discriminative knowledge distinguishing Purusha from Prakriti. Being an atheistic school, it denies the role of any external agent or God in liberation.
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