Place Sarnath
Asked 4 times across 3 UPSC exams over 1 years (2023–2024), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 2 years (2023–2024)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CAPF 2023 → CDS 2024
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (2 of 4) 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.
CDS2024
Which of the following is/are the correct components of the "Lion Capital" at Sarnath ?
- The shaft (stambha-yashti) or the tall tapering column
- An elliptical top part – the abacus, devoid of any carvings
- Overflowing inverted petals below the abacus Select the answer
using the code given below :
- A 1 only
- B 1 and 3 only ✓
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Art & Culture › Architecture & Sculpture
CAPF2023
Which one of the following animals does not come under the category of four noble animals (Maha-Ajaneya Pasu) carved on the round drum (Anda-Phalaka) of the lion capital at Sarnath ?
- A Deer ✓
- B Lion
- C Bull
- D Horse
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Art & Culture › Architecture & Sculpture
CSE
In the Gandhara sculptures the preaching mudra associated with the Buddha’s First Sermon at Sarnath is
- A Abhaya
- B Dhyana
- C Dharmachakra ✓
- D Bhumisparsa
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Art & Culture › Religion & Philosophy
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