Philosophy Optional · Paper I · Indian Philosophy
Mimamsa Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Mimamsa, Unit 18 of Paper I, Section B: the official syllabus, 8 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 33 questions from 1996 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.
8
Free notes
33
Questions listed
24
Asked since 2013
1996–2026
Years covered
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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Philosophy units
Official UPSC syllabus
Mimamsa: 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.
Theory of Knowledge.
Paper I · Section B · Unit 18
Mimamsa 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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Mīmāṃsā Theory of Knowledge: Foundations — Dharma-jijñāsā, the Bhāṭṭa and Prābhākara Schools, Definition of Pramā, Rejection of Memory and the Realist Worldview
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Pratyakṣa, Anumāna and Upamāna in Mīmāṃsā: Nirvikalpa and Savikalpa Perception, the Three-Membered Inference, and Upamāna as Knowledge of Similarity — the Debate with Nyāya
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Śabda and the Authority of the Veda: Apauruṣeyatva, Eternity of Word and Meaning, Vidhi and Arthavāda, Words Mean Universals, Abhihitānvayavāda vs Anvitābhidhānavāda, and the Śābdabodha Debate with Nyāya
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Arthāpatti (Postulation): The Fat Devadatta, Dṛṣṭārthāpatti and Śrutārthāpatti, Why It Is Not Inference, and Its Critics
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Anupalabdhi and Abhāva: Kumārila’s Non-Cognition as the Sixth Pramāṇa, Yogyānupalabdhi, the Four Kinds of Absence, Prabhākara’s Rejection and the Nyāya Critique
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How Is Knowledge Known? Prabhākara’s Tripuṭī-pratyakṣavāda, Kumārila’s Jñātatāvāda, Murāri’s View, Nyāya Anuvyavasāya and the Svaprakāśa Debate
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Svataḥ Prāmāṇyavāda: Intrinsic Validity and Extrinsic Invalidity, the Bhāṭṭa, Prābhākara and Murāri Views, Nyāya’s Parataḥ Prāmāṇyavāda and the Great Debate
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Theories of Error in Mīmāṃsā: Prabhākara’s Akhyātivāda and Kumārila’s Viparītakhyātivāda, Consistency with Self-Validity, the Nyāya Critique and the Indian Khyātivādas Compared
Free practice
Previous year questions: Mimamsa
All 33 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1996 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pramanyavada | 9 | 5 | 2025 |
| Anupalabdhi and Abhava | 5 | 4 | 2025 |
| Arthapatti | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Sabda Pramana | 4 | 3 | 2026 |
| Theories of Error | 3 | 2 | 2026 |
| Smrti (Memory) | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Word Meaning | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Upamana | 1 | 1 | 2026 |
| Knowledge of Knowledge | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Metaphysics | 1 | 0 | 1996 |
Pramanyavada
9 questions · 5 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Asked since 2013 · 5
2025Delineate the main points of difference between the theory of intrinsic validation (svatah pramanyavada) and theory of extrinsic validation (pratah pramanyavada) in classical Indian philosophy. (10 marks)2018Does the admission of Svayamprakashavada necessarily lead to the admission of Svatahpramanyavada? Discuss after the Naiyayikas, the Mimamsakas and the Advaita Vedantins. (20 marks)2017Explain the theory of Validity of Knowledge (pramanyavada) according to Mimamsakas. How did they criticize the Nyaya theory of Validity? (20 marks)2015Elaborate Nyaya-Mimamsa debate on Pramanyavada. (20 marks)2013How is the pramanya (validity/truth) of a statement determined? Examine, in this context, the theory of paratah- pramanyavada. (10 marks)
Show 4 earlier questions (before 2013)
1999–2012 · 4 questions
2012Discuss the views of Mimamsa and Nyaya on the theory of Pramanyavada . Which of them do find adequate? Give reasons for your answer (15 marks)2011How do Mimamsakas defend Svatah Pramanyavada against the Nalyayika criticism? Discuss (20 marks)2002What is Svatahprmanyavada according in Mimansakas? Is their explanation of error consistent with it? Discuss fully (60 marks)1999What is self-validity of knowledge? Examine the Purva-Mimamsaka arguments against the theory of extrinsic validity of knowledge. (60 marks)
Anupalabdhi and Abhava
5 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Asked since 2013 · 4
2025Discuss the debate between the Bhatta and the Prabhakara mimamsakas with reference to the nature of Non- existence (Abhava) and its knowledge. (15 marks)2023Present Bhatta’s view of anupalabdhi (non-cognition) as a valid means of knowledge. (15 marks)2021What, according to Mimarsakas, is the ontological status of abhava (absence) and how does one know it? Explain and examine. (15 marks)2014How is an absence of an object known according to Naiyayikas and Mimamsakas ? Discuss. (15 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2008 · 1 question
2008Write Short note on Anupalabdhi as a pramana (20 marks)
Arthapatti
5 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 4
2024“A candidate who is never seen to be studying during the day time secures a high position in a competitive exam.” How would the Bhatta Mimamsakas and the Naiyayikas explain the success of this candidate? Discuss. (15 marks)2022How do refute the Nyaya view that Implication (arthapatti) is reducible to Inference (anumana) and establish Implication as an independent means of valid a knowledge (pramana)? Critically discuss. (15 marks)2016What is the logical necessity for the Mimamsakas to treat ‘Arthapatti’ as an independent Pramana ? Discuss. (15 marks)2014Can arthapatti (postulation) be reduced to anumana (inference) ? Discuss it from the Mimamsa point of view. (10 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2000 · 1 question
2000Kumarila’s concept of Arthapatti as an independent pramana. (20 marks)
Sabda Pramana
4 questions · 3 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 3
2026Bring out the main points of contestation between Naiyayikas and Prabhakara Mimamsakas with reference to knowledge through words (Shabdabodha). (15 marks)2019How did Mimamsa establish the authority of Vedic knowledge? (10 marks)2013Evaluate Prabhakara Mimamsaka’s arguments for accepting shruti as pramana. (12.5 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2012 · 1 question
2012Why does Mimamsa give utmost importance to SHABDA PRAMANA the verbal testimony? Is it anything to do with Vedas 7 Give your comments (15 marks)
Theories of Error
3 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 2
2026Critically explain the arguments presented by the Akhyativadins for explaining erroneous cognition. Evaluate the arguments against Akhyativadins by the Anyathakhyativadins. (20 marks)2022Inspite of accepting the intrinsic validity of knowledge, why and how Prabhakar and Kumarila differ in their interpretation of erroneous cognition? Discuss. (20 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2001 · 1 question
2001Kumarila Bhatta’s explanation of perceptual error (20 marks)
Smrti (Memory)
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 2
2024On what grounds do the Prabhakaras and the Naiyayikas reject memory as a source of knowledge? Discuss. (15 marks)2020Why is memory not a valid knowledge according to Mihatmasa? (10 marks)
Word Meaning
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 2
2024How does Bhatta’s view of nature of word-meaning and sentential-meaning differ from Prabhakara’s view? Critically discuss. (10 marks)2023Do words refer to universals or particulars or both? Present an exposition of Nyaya and Mimamsa position with regard to the above question along with suitable examples. (15 marks)
Upamana
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 1
2026Present an account of Upamana as an instrument of knowledge (Pramana). How is Nyaya view of Upamana different from Mimamsa view? Discuss. (20 marks)
Knowledge of Knowledge
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 1
2024How do I know that I know? Answer this question with reference to the Naiyayikas, the Bhatta Mimamsakas, and the Prabhakaras. (20 marks)
Metaphysics
1 question · 0 since 2013 · last asked 1996
1996 · 1 question
1996While describing the chief tenets of the Mimamsa metaphysics, critically consider its view in respect of the reality of the phenomenal world (60 marks)
Year-wise question papers
All question papers Topic-wise PYQ bank (both papers) 2026 paper 2025 paper 2024 paper 2023 paper
Next · Paper I · Unit 19
Schools of Vedanta
Brahman; Isvara; Atman; Jiva; Jagat; Maya; Avidya; Adhyasa; Moksa; Aprthaksiddhi; Pancavidhabheda.
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