Person Ashoka
Asked 25 times across 6 UPSC exams over 12 years (2014–2026), peaking in 2022.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 10 of 25 PYQs
- First appeared in CDS 2014 — 2 years before CSE 2016 (allied exams preview CSE)
- Most asked in 2022
- Recurs across 10 years (2014–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → CSE 2016 → NDA 2021 → CAPF 2022 → CBI 2023 → GEO 2026
How the concept evolved
114
216
218
219
120
121
322
323
225
226
Rising — more than half its appearances (18 of 25) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2026
Which of the pairs of Ashokan inscription and location are correctly matched ?
- Jaugada : Karnataka
- Bahapur : New Delhi
- Rajula-Mandagiri : Andhra Pradesh Select the answer
using the codes given below :
- A 1 only
- B 1, 2 and 3
- C 3 only
- D 2 and 3 only ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
History › Ancient India
GEO2026
Consider the following statements about Ashoka's Dhamma
- The theme of Ahimsa is an important aspect of Ashoka's Dhamma
- The ceremony of Dhamma is in proper courtesy to slaves and servants
- Dhamma consisted of the promotion of Buddhism
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A I and III only
- B II and III only
- C I and II only
- D I, II and III
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
History › Ancient India
CDS2025
Which one of the following statements about Ashoka's inscriptions is correct ?
- A The Major Rock Edict found in Kerala is in Sanskrit.
- B Minor Rock Edicts in Bihar are found only in Pataliputra.
- C The Dhauli Major Rock Edict makes a mention of the Kalinga War.
- D Kalsi in Uttarakhand is a site of Major Rock Edicts. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
History › Ancient India
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