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Topic Mahajanapadas
Asked 8 times across 5 UPSC exams over 11 years (2014–2025), peaking in 2025.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 2 of 8 PYQs
- Most asked in 2025
- Recurs across 6 years (2014–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → CISF 2021 → CBI 2023 → NDA 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (6 of 8) 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.
NDA2025
Which one among the following mahajanapadas in ancient India was an oligarchy?
- A Vajji ✓
- B Kosala
- C Gandhara
- D Magadha
✓ Correct answer: (A)
History › Ancient India
CISF2025
Which one among the following is not included among the mahajanapadas in the early Buddhist literature ?
- A Vajji
- B Kalinga ✓
- C Gandhara
- D Avanti
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Ancient India
NDA2024
Taxila was the capital of which one among the following Mahajanapadas of ancient India ?
- A Kuru
- B Kasi
- C Gandhar ✓
- D Avanti
✓ Correct answer: (C)
History › Ancient India
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