Philosophy Optional · Paper I · Indian Philosophy
Samkhya Notes · PYQs
Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Samkhya, Unit 16 of Paper I, Section B: the official syllabus, 6 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 42 questions from 1992 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.
6
Free notes
42
Questions listed
20
Asked since 2013
1992–2026
Years covered
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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Philosophy units
Official UPSC syllabus
Samkhya: 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.
Prakrti; Purusa; Causation; Liberation.
Paper I · Section B · Unit 16
Samkhya 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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Sāṃkhya Theory of Causation: Satkāryavāda and Pariṇāmavāda — the Five Proofs, the Mango Seed, and the Debate with Nyāya, Buddhism, Advaita and Aristotle
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Prakṛti and the Three Guṇas: Avyakta, the Five Proofs for Prakṛti, Why Only One Prakṛti, Sattva–Rajas–Tamas and Svarūpa–Virūpa Pariṇāma
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Evolution of Prakṛti: the Twenty-five Tattvas — Mahat, Ahaṅkāra, Manas, Indriyas, Tanmātras and Mahābhūtas, Teleology and the Problem of Consciousness
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Puruṣa: the Witness-Self — Its Nature, Five Proofs, Bahupuruṣavāda, Jīva and Puruṣa, and the Puruṣa–Prakṛti Relation
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Bondage and Liberation in Sāṃkhya: Aviveka, Threefold Suffering, Vivekakhyāti, Kaivalya, Jīvanmukti and Liberation without God
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Sāṃkhya Dualism on Trial: Śaṅkara’s Pradhāna-malla Critique, Sāṃkhya’s Replies, and Comparisons with Descartes, Spinoza and Advaita
Free practice
Previous year questions: Samkhya
All 42 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satkaryavada | 6 | 4 | 2026 |
| Evolution of Prakriti | 6 | 2 | 2024 |
| Proofs of Purusa | 5 | 2 | 2022 |
| Plurality of Purusa | 4 | 2 | 2026 |
| Proofs of Prakriti | 4 | 2 | 2019 |
| Causation Compared | 4 | 1 | 2014 |
| Advaita Critique | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Liberation | 3 | 1 | 2014 |
| Three Gunas | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Nature of Purusa | 2 | 1 | 2019 |
| Purusa-Prakriti Relation | 2 | 1 | 2013 |
| God in Samkhya | 1 | 0 | 1992 |
Satkaryavada
6 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 4
2026“A mango tree is grown out of a mango seed.” How do the Samkhya philosophers explain this process through their theory of causation by rejecting their rival perspectives? (20 marks)2020A mango tree is grown out of a mango seed,” How will Samkhya system explain this process through their theory of causation by rejecting their rival perspectives? (20 marks)2017Given its theory of causation, is it possible for Samkhya to explain the presence of consciousness in the world? Discuss. (15 marks)2015Satkaryavada (10 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
2006–2010 · 2 questions
2010Does the effect pre-exist in the cause? Discuss (15 marks)2006Critically discuss the Samkhya theory of Causation (60 marks)
Evolution of Prakriti
6 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2024
Asked since 2013 · 2
2024Present an account of evolution of Prakriti as propounded in *Samkhyakarika*. In this context, also explain the difference between buddhi, mahat and ahamkara. (20 marks)2016Critically examine the role of ‘Prakriti’ in the process of evolution. (10 marks)
Show 4 earlier questions (before 2013)
1996–2002 · 4 questions
2002Samkhya theory of Evolution of Prakriti (20 marks)1998Explain Samkhya view of Prakriti and trace the evolution of world from it (60 marks)1997Explain the nature of prakrti and its evolution according to the Samkya system (60 marks)1996Explain the Samkhya conception of Prakrti. Discuss the role it plays in the Samkhya metaphysics. (60 marks)
Proofs of Purusa
5 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2022
Asked since 2013 · 2
2022Examine and evaluate the proofs given by Samkhya philosophy to prove the existence of Purusa. (10 marks)2015State and examine the Samkhya proofs for the existence of Purusha. (15 marks)
Show 3 earlier questions (before 2013)
1994–2001 · 3 questions
2001Evaluate the Samkhya justification for their theory of Purusa (20 marks)2000The Samkhya arguments for the existence of Purusa (20 marks)1994Discuss the nature of Purusa according to Samkhya and Explain and examine the arguments given to prove the existence of purusa and its plurality. (60 marks)
Plurality of Purusa
4 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2026
Asked since 2013 · 2
2026Is Purusha one or many? Explain and examine the Samkhya position in this context. (10 marks)2018Is Purusa one or many? Explain the Sámkhya position in this regard and give arguments in support of your answer. (10 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
1998–2011 · 2 questions
2011Examine Sankhya’s arguments for Bahupurusavada (Plurality of Purusa) (30 marks)1998Doctrine of plurality of purusas. (20 marks)
Proofs of Prakriti
4 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2019
Asked since 2013 · 2
2019Which Sankhya proof for the existence of Prakriti actually shows that there can be only one Prakriti? Justify your answer. (15 marks)2014Are the arguments given in favour of existence of prakrti adequate in Samkhya philosophy ? Discuss. (10 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
1993–1999 · 2 questions
1999The Samkhya arguments for the existence of prakrti (20 marks)1993Explain and examine the Samkhya arguments for the existence of Prakriti and Purusha. (60 marks)
Causation Compared
4 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2014
Asked since 2013 · 1
2014How is the theory of causation central to the theories of Reality in classical Indian tradition ? Discuss. (20 marks)
Show 3 earlier questions (before 2013)
1999–2012 · 3 questions
2012How Samkhya theory of causation is different from that of Nyaya theory of causation? Explain (15 marks)2009Compare Aristotle’s view regarding causation with that of the Samkhya School’s view of Causation. (60 marks)1999Explain the Satkarya theory of the Samkhya philosophy and evaluate it in the light of the Nyaya theory of causation (60 marks)
Advaita Critique
3 questions · 3 since 2013 · last asked 2025
Asked since 2013 · 3
2025Why does Sharnkara consider Sämkhya Philosophy as his chief opponent ( pradhana malla )? Examine his arguments against Samkhya Philosophy. (20 marks)2023“If Purusha and Prakriti are two completely independent realities, then no relation between the two is possible-” In the light of this statement make a brief presentation of Shankara’s criticism of Samkhya dualism (10 marks)2018How do the Advaita Vedantins react to the Prakritiparinamavada of the Samkhya philosophy? How do the Särhkhyas defend their own position in this regard? Discuss. (15 marks)
Liberation
3 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2014
Asked since 2013 · 1
2014Examine the Samkhya view on liberation that “the self is neither bound nor liberates, nor does it transmigrate”. (15 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)
1994–2003 · 2 questions
2003The Samkhya doctrine of liberation (20 marks)1994The idea of Liberation (Moksha) in the Samkhya Philosophy (20 marks)
Three Gunas
2 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2021
Asked since 2013 · 1
2021Explain the Sankhya view on three gunas (guna-traya) and their modifications. (15 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2007 · 1 question
2007Explain the Samkhya doctrine of three gunas (60 marks)
Nature of Purusa
2 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2019
Asked since 2013 · 1
2019Critically discuss the metaphysical status of a Jiva and a Purusa according to Sankhya philosophy. (10 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
2005 · 1 question
2005Samkhya conception of Purusha (20 marks)
Purusa-Prakriti Relation
2 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2013
Asked since 2013 · 1
2013Evaluate the relation, if any, between purusa and prakrti. (12.5 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)
1992 · 1 question
1992Critically examine the nature and the relation between Purush and Prakriti in the Samkhya Philosophy (60 marks)
God in Samkhya
1 question · 0 since 2013 · last asked 1992
1992 · 1 question
1992There is no need for God in Samkhya and Yoga systems, as these are fully-consistent even without the idea of God. (20 marks)
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