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Person Gautama Buddha
Asked 15 times across 4 UPSC exams over 14 years (2012–2026), peaking in 2014.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 11 of 15 PYQs
- Most asked in 2014
- Recurs across 8 years (2012–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2012 → CAPF 2014 → NDA 2022 → CISF 2022
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (9 of 15) predate 2016, and it still returns.
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.
CSE2026
What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?
- A The meditation of the Buddha ✓
- B The Buddha's First Sermon
- C The Buddha's Mahaparinibbana
- D The Buddha's Mahabhinishkramana
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Art & Culture › Religion & Philosophy
CSE2024
With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets ?
- Nayaputta
- Shakyamuni
- Tathagata
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only ✓
- C 1, 2 and 3
- D None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Ancient India
NDA2022
Early Buddhist sculptors did not show Buddha in human form. Through which of the following symbols was Buddha's presence shown by the early sculptors?
- A Empty Seat and Stupa only
- B Wheel and Tree only
- C Wheel, Tree and Stupa only
- D Empty Seat, Wheel, Tree and Stupa ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Art & Culture › Architecture & Sculpture
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