Prelims 1995 · archive
EasyThe concept of Anuvrata was advocated by:
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) Jainism
Anuvratas are the small vows taken by Jain laypeople, as against the mahavratas (great vows) of monks and nuns.
- ✓ (c) Jainism prescribes mahavratas for ascetics and the milder anuvratas for householders.
- ✗ (a) Mahayana Buddhism speaks of the bodhisattva ideal and has no anuvrata concept.
- ✗ (b) Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism follows the Five Precepts, not anuvratas.
- ✗ (d) The Lokayata (Charvaka) school rejects vows and an afterlife.
Remember · Jain monks: five mahavratas (great vows). Jain laity: anuvratas (small vows) of the same five ideals.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Ch 4 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 · Themes in Indian History, Part I, Chapter 4 “Jaina monks and nuns took five vows: to abstain from killing, stealing and lying; to observe celibacy; and to abstain from possessing property.”
- Britannica, anuvrata ↗ · reference work “These vows are moderate versions of the great vows and are intended to guide the daily activities of Jain followers.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 1995, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 1995: the answer shown is the one the sources above support. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·