Prelims GS I · 62 questions · 2011–2026
Ancient India: every Prelims question, by topic
UPSC syllabus: “History of India and Indian National Movement.” Below, the topics inside it — most asked first — and how often each came up year by year.
Ancient India in Prelims 2020: 7 questions
All years →- Q22 · Buddhism, Jainism & other schoolsWith reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. T…
- Q29 · Post-Mauryan kingdoms & the GuptasWith reference to the history of India, the terms "kulyavapa" and "dronavapa" denote…
- Q30 · The Mauryan empireWho among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? "Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of gl…
- Q31 · Buddhism, Jainism & other schoolsWith reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term 'paramitas'?…
- Q36 · Post-Mauryan kingdoms & the GuptasWith reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana. Kalidasa is…
- Q71 · Buddhism, Jainism & other schoolsWith reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs: Parivrajaka — Renunciant and Wanderer Shramana — Priest with a high status Upasaka — Lay follower of Buddhism…
- Q82 · Post-Mauryan kingdoms & the GuptasWith reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as…
Ancient India in UPSC Prelims at a glance
UPSC has asked 62 questions on Ancient India in GS Paper I from 2011 to 2026 — about 4 a year, the most in 2020 (7). The most-asked topic is Buddhism, Jainism & other schools (23 questions).
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault, each question under its main subject · updated 8 Nov 2026.
- Buddhism, Jainism & other schools23 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
- Prehistory & the Harappan civilisation10 questions · asked in 8 of 16 years
- Vedic age & the Mahajanapadas8 questions · asked in 5 of 16 years
- Post-Mauryan kingdoms & the Guptas8 questions · asked in 6 of 16 years
- Sangam age & early South India7 questions · asked in 6 of 16 years
- The Mauryan empire6 questions · asked in 5 of 16 years
Latest questions
- 2026 · Q3 · Vedic age & the MahajanapadasConsider the following statements: I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika. II. The literary evidence fr…
- 2026 · Q5 · Buddhism, Jainism & other schoolsAmong the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?…
- 2026 · Q8 · Prehistory & the Harappan civilisationConsider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns: I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning…
- 2026 · Q10 · Vedic age & the MahajanapadasConsider the following statements about the Rigvedic period: I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins int…
- 2026 · Q13 · Vedic age & the MahajanapadasWhich of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?…
The same ground in Mains
These official Mains syllabus lines cover Ancient India. Prelims facts become Mains arguments.
Ancient India PYQs as a PDF — free
All 48 PDFs →Every Ancient India question from 2011 to 2026, topic-wise, with answers and explanations — 37 pages. Free; sign up once.
Ancient India PYQs: quick answers
How many Ancient India questions has UPSC asked in Prelims from 2011 to 2026?
62 questions in GS Paper I — about 4 a year, the most in 2020 (7). Every one is on this page, under its topic, with UPSC's answer and an explanation.
Which Ancient India topic does UPSC ask most in Prelims?
Buddhism, Jainism & other schools: 23 questions between 2011 and 2026, asked in 13 of 16 years. The topics are listed above, most asked first, each with its year-by-year trend.
Are the answers UPSC's official answer keys?
From 2016, yes: every answer is from UPSC's final answer key (2016–2025); for 2011–2015, where UPSC published no key online, each answer is worked out from official sources and reviewed independently; for 2026 UPSC has so far published a provisional key, and those answers are labelled. Explanations cite official sources — NCERT and government pages first.
Can I download the Ancient India PYQs as a PDF?
Yes — a print-ready PDF of every Ancient India question with answers and explanations (37 pages, 1 MB), free after a one-time sign-up, from the Vault's downloads page.
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault; answers are UPSC's keys.
