Philosophy Optional · Paper I · Indian Philosophy
Carvaka Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Carvaka, Unit 12 of Paper I, Section B: the official syllabus, 4 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 29 questions from 1990 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.
4
Free notes
29
Questions listed
14
Asked since 2013
1990–2026
Years covered
On this page
Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Philosophy units
Official UPSC syllabus
Carvaka: 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; Rejection of Transcendent Entities.
Paper I · Section B · Unit 12
Carvaka 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
-
Cārvāka Theory of Knowledge: Perception as the Only Pramāṇa and the Refutation of Inference, Testimony and Comparison
-
Is the Cārvāka Rejection of Inference Self-Refuting? Replies of Nyāya, Buddhism and Jainism, Dhūrta vs Suśikṣita Cārvāka, and Cārvāka as a Positivist
-
Cārvāka Materialism: the Four Elements, Rejection of Ākāśa, Bhūtacaitanyavāda and Dehātmavāda (the Soul as Conscious Body)
-
Rejection of God, Karma, Rebirth, Heaven, Mokṣa and Vedic Authority: Svabhāvavāda, Cārvāka Ethics and the Legacy of Lokāyata
Free practice
Previous year questions: Carvaka
All 29 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1990 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dehatmavada | 6 | 2 | 2017 |
| Rejection of Inference | 4 | 2 | 2025 |
| Critique of Carvaka | 4 | 2 | 2019 |
| Perception Only | 3 | 1 | 2014 |
| Assessment of Carvaka | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Transcendent Entities | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Four Elements | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| Ethics and Hedonism | 2 | 0 | 2000 |
| Carvaka vs Buddhism | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Carvaka vs Jainism | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Vyapti | 1 | 1 | 2016 |
| Svabhavavada | 1 | 0 | 2012 |
Dehatmavada
6 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2017
Asked since 2013 · 2
2017“The soul is nothing but conscious body.” What are the reasons for Carvaka in holding this view? (10 marks)2016Is the doctrine of ‘Self’ acceptable in the modern age of science and reason? Examine the view in the light of Indian philosophy. (15 marks)
Show 4 earlier questions (before 2013)
1998–2007 · 4 questions
2007Carvaka’s views on the nature of soul (20 marks)2004Dehatmavada of Carvakas (20 marks)2001Charvaka theory of consciousness (20 marks)1998The soul is nothing but the conscious body.’ (20 marks)
Rejection of Inference
4 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Asked since 2013 · 2
2025Explain the ground on which Carvaka rejects inference (anumana) as a valid source of knowledge. (10 marks)2019What is wrong according to the Carvakas with the following argument? All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. Justify your answer with arguments. (15 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
1990–2012 · 2 questions
2012Why do Carvaka do not believe in the validity of inference? What logic do they give for their belief? (15 marks)1990‘Inference is not possible, as it involves the fallacy of petitio-principii.’ (20 marks)
Critique of Carvaka
4 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2019
Asked since 2013 · 2
2019Are the Carvakas consistent when they hold that inference is not a source of knowledge? Discuss. (10 marks)2018Is Carvaka rejection of inference acceptable to the other systems of Indian philosophy? If not, why? Do you think the views of other systems to be justified? Give reasons for your answer. (15 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
1991–2003 · 2 questions
2003Charvak’s refutation of anumana is itself a process of anumana. Discuss (60 marks)1991Why does Carvaka accept perception alone as the pramana? How have Jain and Buddhist logicians refuted his view? Evaluate both the perspectives critically (60 marks)
Perception Only
3 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2014
Asked since 2013 · 1
2014“Limits of knowledge and world are determined by my sense perception.” Discuss this claim of Carvakas. (10 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
2002–2006 · 2 questions
2006Discuss the theory of knowledge, according to Charvaka Philosophy (60 marks)2002State and evaluate critically Carvaka’s view that perception is the only valid source of knowledge (20 marks)
Assessment of Carvaka
2 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 1
2024Do you think Carvaka’s philosophy is positivistic in nature? Give reasons and justifications for your answer. (10 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2010 · 1 question
2010Just as the skepticism of Hume helped Kant to come out of his dogmatic slumber, so also the Carvaka philosophy saved Indian philosophy from dogmatism. Discuss (20 marks)
Transcendent Entities
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2021
Asked since 2013 · 2
2021Comment on the bearing of Carvaka epistemology on the rejection of transcendental entities by them. (10 marks)2015Explain the arguments of Carvaka to reject transcendental entities. (15 marks)
Four Elements
2 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2020
Asked since 2013 · 1
2020Critically evaluate Carvaka’s’ rejection of Ákasa as one of the elements of reality and examine their criticism of transmigration of Soul. (15 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2011 · 1 question
2011Why do Carvakas reject the concept of Akasa. Discuss (30 marks)
Ethics and Hedonism
2 questions · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2000
1992–2000 · 2 questions
2000Ethics of Carvaka School (20 marks)1992The Carvaka system is not a consistent metaphysic; it is only a crude form of hendonism (20 marks)
Carvaka vs Buddhism
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 1
2024Differentiate between the Carvaka’s refutation of self as a transcendental category and the Buddhist rejection of atma. (20 marks)
Carvaka vs Jainism
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2020
Asked since 2013 · 1
2020Explain the differences of conception of Reality between Cárvaka and Jainism. (15 marks)
Vyapti
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2016
Asked since 2013 · 1
2016What would be Carvaka’s view on Vyapti? Can this view be acceptable to the Naiyayikas? Give reasons for your answer. (15 marks)
Svabhavavada
1 question · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2012
2012 · 1 question
2012On what basis does Carvaka reject the cause-effect relationship? (15 marks)
Year-wise question papers
All question papers Topic-wise PYQ bank (both papers) 2026 paper 2025 paper 2024 paper 2023 paper
Philosophy Optional
All 40 units and resources
Paper I and Paper II units, notes index, topic-wise PYQ bank, strategy, booklist and success rate.
Notes index · PYQ bank · Strategy · Booklist