Person Kalidasa
Asked 6 times across 3 UPSC exams over 6 years (2015–2021), peaking in 2020.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 4 of 6 PYQs
- First appeared in CDS 2015 — 1 years before CSE 2016 (allied exams preview CSE)
- Most asked in 2020
- Recurs across 4 years (2015–2021)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2015 → CSE 2016 → CAPF 2021
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (3 of 6) 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.
CAPF2021
Which one of the following pairs of authors and Sanskrit literary works is not correctly matched?
- A Somadeva : Kathasaritsagara
- B Ashvaghosha : Buddhacharita
- C Bilhana : Vikramankadevacharita
- D Kalidasa : Vasavadatta ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Art & Culture › Literature & Languages
CSE2020
With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements
- Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga
- Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
- Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta – II
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 3 only ✓
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (C)
History › Ancient India
CSE2016
Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
- A Swapnavasavadatta
- B Malavikagnimitra ✓
- C Meghadoota
- D Ratnavali
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Art & Culture › Literature & Languages
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