This page lists 6 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on the UPSC 1995 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–6 of 6 questions
Brahmavadini refers to women who sought spiritual knowledge and philosophical understanding of Brahman, the ultimate reality. These women ascetics were known for their intellectual pursuits, poetic abilities, and compositions of Vedic hymns. Among the prominent women Vedic scholars, we find references to Maitreyi, Viswambhara, Apala, and Lopamudra, to name a few.
During the Gupta Period (4th to 6th century CE), Sanskrit was typically reserved for higher-class characters such as kings, scholars, and Brahmins, while Prakrit was used for women and lower-class characters to enhance authenticity and social realism. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
The Prakrit languages included regional variations. A notable Prakrit used during this period was Sauraseni Prakrit (Option d), which was prominent in the western regions of India like Gujarat and Rajasthan. This further underscores the linguistic diversity within ancient Indian society. Pali was not typically used in Sanskrit plays of the Gupta Period. Although Pali is closely related to Prakrit, it was primarily the language of Buddhist scriptures and teachings and was used by Buddhist scholars and monks to promote Buddhist doctrine. Thus, Pali did not hold the same role as Prakrit in dramatic literature of the time.
Yavanapriya is a term in ancient Sanskrit texts referring to pepper, a commodity highly prized in early Indo-Mediterranean trade. The term "Yavanapriya" is made up of two Sanskrit words, "Yavana" referring to Greeks and "priya" meaning loved. Ancient Sanskrit texts used this term to denote the commodity loved by the Greeks from India. This lucrative trade in spices, particularly pepper, was crucial for India’s ancient economy and helped establish India as a prominent player in global commerce. v v v
The Nataraja bronze sculptures, of the Chola period (9th-13th century CE), are celebrated masterpieces of Indian art, symbolizing the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. These icons, crafted using the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting technique, exemplify the technical and artistic sophistication of the era. An outstanding example is the Nataraja statue from Chidambaram, where Shiva is depicted in dynamic motion. Spiritual symbolism in these sculptures underscore the Chola dynasty’s devotion to Shaivism. The iconic Chola Bronze sculptures of Nataraja, the cosmic dance form of Shiva, depict the deity with four hands. Each hand represents different symbolic gestures (mudras): one holds a drum, another a flame, the third makes the ‘abhaya mudra’ (a sign of fearlessness), and the fourth points to the raised foot, symbolizing liberation.
Mimamsa system of philosophy is one of the 6 schools of orthodox Indian philosophy. It was started by Jaimini. In the Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation (moksha) is primarily achieved through the performance of proper rituals (karma), which align with the Vedic prescriptions. Mimamsa emphasizes that correct action, particularly ritualistic duties (such as yajnas), leads to purification of the self and ultimately liberation. By doing so, an individual can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and achieve the highest good, which is initially seen as heavenly bliss and later as freedom from bodily bondage. While Jnana (knowledge) and Yoga are central to other philosophies like Vedanta and Sankhya, Mimamsa focuses on Karma as the means to attain liberation.
Anuvrata is a concept in Jainism that refers to the small vows or lesser vows prescribed for lay followers (householders) as opposed to the Mahavratas (great vows) followed by monks and nuns. The Anuvratas are a set of ethical guidelines that help laypeople lead a morally upright life while still engaging in worldly activities. They include:
Ahimsa (non-violence) Satya (truthfulness) Asteya (non-stealing) Brahmacharya (chastity) Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) These vows are less strict than the Mahavratas and are tailored to the practical realities of household life. v v v
| Q | UPSC year | Correct answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995 | (a) Lopamudra |
| 2 | 1995 | (b) Prakrit |
| 3 | 1995 | (d) Pepper |
| 4 | 1995 | (c) Four hands |
| 5 | 1995 | (d) Karma |
| 6 | 1995 | (c) Jainism |
This page covers 6 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on the UPSC 1995 Prelims, asked between 1995 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Questions on the UPSC 1995 Prelims are available for 30 years, from 1995 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
