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Topic

Heterodox sects

Asked 5 times across 2 UPSC exams over 13 years (2012–2025), peaking in 2012.
5
PYQs
2
Exams
3
Years active
2012–2025
Span
2012
Peak
5/5
Answers
📅 Full chronological timeline →

Key insights

  • Most tested in CSE — 3 of 5 PYQs
  • Most asked in 2012
  • Recurs across 3 years (2012–2025)

How it travelled across exams

First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2012 CDS 2017

How the concept evolved

112
117
125
Long-running — most appearances (3 of 5) 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.
CDS2025
Which one of the following statements about the Ajivikas is not correct ?
  1. A They did not practise discrimination on the basis of caste or class.
  2. B They had a corporate organisation and canonical texts.
  3. C They practised severe asceticism, often eating very little food.
  4. D They formed an alliance with Jainas against Buddhists. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
History › Ancient India
CDS2017

Which of the following statements with regard to the heterodox sect between sixth and fourth century BC are correct?

  1. The Jain ideas were already being circulated in the seventh century BC by Parshva
  2. Although Buddhism, and to a lesser extent Jainism, took account of the changes in material life and reacted against orthodoxy, neither of these sought to abolish the caste system
  3. The first female disciple of Mahavira is said to have been a captured slave woman
  4. Buddha held that nuns could attain spiritual liberation just like a monk and granted them an equal status in the mendicant order

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A 3 and 4 only ✓
  2. B 1, 2 and 3 only
  3. C 1, 2 and 4 only
  4. D 3 and 4 only
✓ Correct answer: (A)
History › Ancient India
CSE2012

With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?

  1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
  2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
  3. Denial of efficacy of rituals

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

  1. A 1 only
  2. B 2 and 3 only ✓
  3. C 1 and 3 only
  4. D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Ancient India

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