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Topic Heterodox sects
Asked 5 times across 2 UPSC exams over 13 years (2012–2025), peaking in 2012.
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
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 ?
- A They did not practise discrimination on the basis of caste or class.
- B They had a corporate organisation and canonical texts.
- C They practised severe asceticism, often eating very little food.
- 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?
- The Jain ideas were already being circulated in the seventh century BC by Parshva
- 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
- The first female disciple of Mahavira is said to have been a captured slave woman
- 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.
- A 3 and 4 only ✓
- B 1, 2 and 3 only
- C 1, 2 and 4 only
- 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?
- Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
- Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
- Denial of efficacy of rituals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only ✓
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Ancient India
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