Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?

Answer: (a) The extinction of the flame of desire

Nibbana (nirvana) literally means 'blowing out', like a flame going out. In Buddhism it is the extinguishing of desire, ego and hence suffering, not annihilation of the person.

• ✓ (a) Nirvana is the blowing out of the fire of craving, ending rebirth and suffering.
• ✗ (b) Buddhism denies a permanent self, but nirvana is not described as annihilating a being.
• ✗ (c) Bliss and rest describe the result, not the defining concept.

Remember · Nirvana = extinguishing of desire and ego, the end of the cycle of suffering and rebirth.

📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Ch 4 (practise this chapter)

Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2013, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 2013: the answer shown is the one the sources above support. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). · Report an error