Philosophy Optional · Paper I · Indian Philosophy
Jainism Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Jainism, Unit 13 of Paper I, Section B: the official syllabus, 6 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 38 questions from 1992 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.
6
Free notes
38
Questions listed
19
Asked since 2013
1992–2026
Years covered
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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Philosophy units
Official UPSC syllabus
Jainism: 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 Reality; Saptabhanginaya; Bondage and Liberation.
Paper I · Section B · Unit 13
Jainism 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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Jaina Theory of Reality: Anekāntavāda, Sat as Utpāda-Vyaya-Dhrauvya, Dravya–Guṇa–Paryāya and Realistic, Relativistic Pluralism
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Jīva and Ajīva: the Six Dravyas — Soul, Pudgala, Dharma, Adharma, Ākāśa and Kāla — and the Uncreated Jaina Universe
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Jaina Theory of Knowledge and Nayavāda: Five Kinds of Knowledge, Pramāṇa and Naya, the Seven Nayas and Nayābhāsa
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Syādvāda and Saptabhaṅgīnaya: the Seven Steps of Conditional Predication, Objections of Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja and the Buddhists, and Why It Is Not Scepticism
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Jaina Theory of Karma and Bondage: Karma as Subtle Matter, Eight Types of Karma, Āsrava, Leśyā, and Bhāva-bandha vs Dravya-bandha
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Jaina Path to Liberation: Saṃvara, Nirjarā and Mokṣa, the Triratna and Pañca-mahāvrata, the Liberated Soul, and Jaina vs Yoga Kaivalya
Free practice
Previous year questions: Jainism
All 38 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1992 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anekantavada | 9 | 2 | 2022 |
| Saptabhanginaya | 5 | 3 | 2026 |
| Bondage and Liberation | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Reality and Dravya | 4 | 2 | 2019 |
| Syadvada | 4 | 0 | 2010 |
| Karma | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Jiva and Ajiva | 3 | 1 | 2016 |
| Pluralistic Realism | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Jainism vs Carvaka | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Jaina vs Yoga Kaivalya | 1 | 1 | 2016 |
| Nayavada | 1 | 1 | 2016 |
| Jaina Epistemology | 1 | 0 | 1994 |
Anekantavada
9 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2022
Asked since 2013 · 2
2022‘The doctrine of ‘Relativism’ of Jain Philosophy cannot be logically sustained without postulating ‘Absolutism’.’ Critically examine this view and give reasons in the favour of your answer. (15 marks)2013Analyse the relation between the theory of saptabhanginaya and anekantavada. (10 marks)
Show 7 earlier questions (before 2013)
1998–2012 · 7 questions
2012Critically evaluate Jaina doctrine of relative pluralism or Anekantvada? (15 marks)2009Anekantavada (20 marks)2003Expound anekantvada of Jainism. It is a consistent theory of reality? Give reasons (60 marks)2001…relation between anekantvada and saptabhanginaya (20 marks)2000Evaluate the Jain arguments for the view that reality is multi-dimensional. (60 marks)1999The Jaina arguments for anekantavada. (20 marks)1998Ekantavada and Anekantavada (20 marks)
Saptabhanginaya
5 questions · 3 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 3
2026Explain the meaning of seven steps of judgement (Saptabhanginaya) and its application in Jaina’s Syadvada for advocating a philosophy of non-absolutism (Anekantavada). (15 marks)2023“All human knowledge is empirical and therefore relative.” Critically examine Jaina theory of sevenfold judgement (saptabhanginaya) in the light of the above statement. (10 marks)2021Explain the Jain view of seven-fold (sapta-bhangi) ‘Naya’. (15 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
2000–2011 · 2 questions
2011Why is Saptabhangi Naya not treated as a doctrine of Scepticism? Discuss (20 marks)2000Sapta-bhangi Naya (20 marks)
Bondage and Liberation
4 questions · 3 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 3
2024What is the distinction between Bhavabandha and Dravyabandha, according to the Jainas? Discuss. (15 marks)2018How do the Jaina philosophers explain ‘bondage’? What, according to them, is the distinction between “liberated soul’ and ‘bound soul’? What do the Jainas think about the condition of the ‘liberated soul’? Discuss. (15 marks)2015What do Samvara and Nirjara mean? Explain their significance in Jaina theory of liberation. (15 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2011 · 1 question
2011What according to Jainism is Path to Liberation? Discuss (15 marks)
Reality and Dravya
4 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2019
Asked since 2013 · 2
2019How is reality defined by the Jainas? How is this theory of reality reflected in their view on judgements? Discuss. (20 marks)2015Jain concept of Dravya (10 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
2005–2006 · 2 questions
2006…theory of Substance according to Jainism (20 marks)2005Jaina Definition of Dravya (20 marks)
Syadvada
4 questions · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2010
1992–2010 · 4 questions
2010Is syadvada a self-contradictory doctrine? Discuss (30 marks)1995What is understood by ‘Syadvada’? To what extent it helps in understanding reality? (60 marks)1993Syadvads and its justifcation (20 marks)1992Give a critical estimate to the Jain theory of Syadvad (60 marks)
Karma
3 questions · 3 since 2013 · last asked 2022
Asked since 2013 · 3
2022How does Jaina view of Karma bear upon their soteriology? Critically discuss. (10 marks)2020Examine the concept of Karma according to Jainism. How does it bear upon their conception of Liberation? (10 marks)2014Explain the concept of Karma and discuss its various types according to Jain philosophy. (15 marks)
Jiva and Ajiva
3 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2016
Asked since 2013 · 1
2016Can the ‘Tattvartha’ theory of Jainism be acceptable for scientific explanation? Explain. (15 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
2004–2007 · 2 questions
2007Nature of Pudgala in Jaina philosophy (20 marks)2004State and discuss the Jaina Doctrine of jiva (60 marks)
Pluralistic Realism
2 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Asked since 2013 · 2
2025Is Jaina philosophy pluralistic and realistic? Critically discuss. (15 marks)2017“The Jaina metaphysics is relativistic and realistic pluralism.” Discuss. (15 marks)
Jainism vs Carvaka
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)
Jaina vs Yoga Kaivalya
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2016
Asked since 2013 · 1
2016Differentiate the concept of ‘Kaivalya’ as discussed in Jaina and Yoga philosophies. (10 marks)
Nayavada
1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2016
Asked since 2013 · 1
2016Examine Jaina stance of ‘Naya’. How does it differ from ‘Syadvada’? (10 marks)
Jaina Epistemology
1 question · 0 since 2013 · last asked 1994
1994 · 1 question
1994Analysis of perception in the Jaina Philosophy (20 marks)
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