1996 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies

Question 18: History and Culture

According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas the sequential order of the cycle of four aeons (Yugas) is

aDvapara, Krita, Treta and Kali
bKrita, Dvapara, Treta and Kali
cKrita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali
dTreta, Dvapara, Kali and Krita

AnswerThe answer is (c).

The four yugas follow one another in a falling order of virtue and length: Krita (also Satya), Treta, Dvapara and Kali. Kali is the age we live in, according to the Puranic scheme. Their lengths stand in the ratio 4:3:2:1. Remember: Krita - Treta - Dvapara - Kali, the sequence of declining dharma.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Starts with Dvapara; Krita, the first age, comes before it.
  • (b) Puts Dvapara before Treta; Treta comes before Dvapara.
  • (c) Right: Krita, Treta, Dvapara, Kali.
  • (d) Starts with Treta and ends with Krita; Krita is first and Kali is last.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.