Topic Buddhism
Asked 11 times across 3 UPSC exams over 8 years (2014–2022), peaking in 2018.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 8 of 11 PYQs
- First appeared in CDS 2014 — 1 years before CSE 2015 (allied exams preview CSE)
- Most asked in 2018
- Recurs across 7 years (2014–2022)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → CSE 2015 → CAPF 2018
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (7 of 11) 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.
CSE2022
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: Historical person Known as
- Aryadeva — Jaina scholar
- Dignaga — Buddhist scholar
- Nathamuni — Vaishnava scholar How many pairs given above
are correctly matched?
- A None of the pairs
- B Only one pair
- C Only two pairs ✓
- D All three pairs
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Art & Culture › Religion & Philosophy
CSE2020
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs
- Parivrajaka — Renunciant and Wanderer
- Shramana — Priest with a high status
- Upasaka — Lay follower of Buddhism
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 1 and 3 only ✓
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Ancient India
CSE2018
With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ?
- A Avalokiteshvara
- B Lokesvara
- C Maitreya ✓
- D Padmapani
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Art & Culture › Religion & Philosophy
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