Philosophy Optional · Paper I · Indian Philosophy
Yoga Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Yoga, Unit 17 of Paper I, Section B: the official syllabus, 8 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 20 questions from 2000 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.
8
Free notes
20
Questions listed
15
Asked since 2013
2000–2026
Years covered
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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Philosophy units
Official UPSC syllabus
Yoga: syllabus
The syllabus text for this unit in Paper I, Section B (Indian Philosophy) of Philosophy Optional. Every note and question on this page maps to it.
Citta; Cittavrtti; Klesas; Samadhi; Kaivalya.
Paper I · Section B · Unit 17
Yoga notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order, written for UPSC Mains in plain language, with diagrams and the previous year questions on each topic.
Free notes
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Yoga Darśana: Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra, Seśvara Sāṃkhya, Praxis over Theory, and Why Yoga Is More than a Psycho-physical Exercise
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Citta in Yoga: the Mind-Stuff, Puruṣa’s Reflection, the Three Natures of Citta and the Five Citta-bhūmis
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Cittavṛtti and Its Cessation: the Five Vṛttis, Kliṣṭa and Akliṣṭa, the Vṛtti–Saṃskāra Cycle, Abhyāsa–Vairāgya and the Obstacles
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The Five Kleśas: Avidyā, Asmitā, Rāga, Dveṣa and Abhiniveśa — Their Four States, Karmāśaya, and How They Are Burnt
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Aṣṭāṅga Yoga and Kriyā Yoga: Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna, Samādhi, Saṃyama and the Siddhis
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Samādhi in Yoga: Samprajñāta and Asamprajñāta, Vitarka–Vicāra–Ānanda–Asmitā, Sabīja and Nirbīja, Bhava- and Upāya-pratyaya, and Dharma-megha
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Īśvara in Yoga: Puruṣa-viśeṣa, Praṇava, the Proofs, Īśvara-praṇidhāna, the Man–God Relation and the Debate with Nyāya and Sāṃkhya
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Kaivalya in Yoga: Bondage as Saṃyoga, Vivekakhyāti, Pratiprasava, Jīvanmukti, and Comparisons with Sāṃkhya, Jaina, Advaita and Aurobindo
Free practice
Previous year questions: Yoga
All 20 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 2000 and 2026, grouped by sub-topic with the most-asked first, newest first within each. Questions from 2013 onwards are shown; earlier ones open on a tap.
How often UPSC asks each sub-topic
| Sub-topic | Questions | Since 2013 | Last asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citta and Cittavrtti | 5 | 4 | 2023 |
| Samadhi | 4 | 4 | 2026 |
| Kaivalya | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Isvara | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Klesas | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Yoga as Praxis | 2 | 0 | 2012 |
| Samkhya Ontology | 1 | 0 | 2012 |
| Patanjali and Aurobindo | 1 | 0 | 2009 |
Citta and Cittavrtti
5 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2023
Asked since 2013 · 4
2023Explain Chitta and its modifications in the philosophy of Yoga. Why does Yoga philosophy prescribes cessation of modifications of Chitta? Give reasons in support of your answer. (15 marks)2019How would Yoga philosophy comprehend the Citta-levels of a Scientist, a God-realized Devotee and a Self-realized Yogi? Justify your answer. (15 marks)2017What is meant by “yogashcittavrittinirodhah” ? Explain cittavritti and its effects according to Yoga philosophy. (10 marks)2013Give a critical account of the concept of cittavritti in Yoga philosophy. (12.5 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2000 · 1 question
2000Patanjali’s definition of Yoga as Cittavrttinirodha (20 marks)
Samadhi
4 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 4
2026Explain, as per Yoga philosophy, the nature of Samadhi with special reference to the difference between Samprajnata Samadhi and Asamprajnata Samadhi. (10 marks)2022Discuss the nature and different stages of Samadhi as per Patanjala voga and examine the role of Isvara in it. (10 marks)2020Explain the difference between Samprajnata Samàdhi and Asamprajnata Samadhi (10 marks)2014Explain the nature and levels of samprajnata samadhi. How does each level lead more towards asamprajnata samadhi? (15 marks)
Kaivalya
3 questions · 3 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 3
2024“So long as there are changes and modifications in citta, the self is reflected therein, and, in the absence of discriminative knowledge, identifies itself with them.” Present an appraisal of Yoga Soteriology in the light of the above statement. (15 marks)2015What is bondage according to yoga philosophy? Explain the method of attaining Kaivalya in Patanjali’s yogasutra. (20 marks)2013Explain the possibility of jivanmukti. Critically compare it with the Yoga account of kaivalya. (10 marks)
Isvara
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Asked since 2013 · 2
2025Explain the nature of God and its role in Kaivalya in yoga philosophy. (15 marks)2018How do the Naiyayikas prove the existence of God? Do the Yoga philosophers prove God in the same way? If yes, how? And if not, why? Give reasons for your answer. (20 marks)
Klesas
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2021
Asked since 2013 · 2
2021Explain with reference to Yoga Philosophy, the nature of klešas. How does the removal of these lead to kaivalya? (20 marks)2016What are Kleshas ? How can these be eliminated? Explain. (15 marks)
Yoga as Praxis
2 questions · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2012
2011–2012 · 2 questions
2012Critically evaluate the statement that Yoga sutra emphasis more on praxis(action) than on theory (reflection) (15 marks)2011Yoga is more than a psycho-physical exercise”. Analyse this statement and support your conclusion with arguments (30 marks)
Samkhya Ontology
1 question · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2012
2012 · 1 question
2012Give your critical comments on the assertion that Yoga school broadly accepts Samkhya ontology (15 marks)
Patanjali and Aurobindo
1 question · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2009
2009 · 1 question
2009Compare Patanjali’s Yoga with integral Yoga expounded by Aurobindo, bringing out clearly points of similarity and dissimilarity (60 marks)
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