2020 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I
Question 71: History and Culture
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs :
| 1. | Parivrajaka | Renunciant and Wanderer |
| 2. | Shramana | Priest with a high status |
| 3. | Upasaka | Lay follower of Buddhism |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?
a1 and 2 only
b1 and 3 only
c2 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
A parivrajaka was a wandering renunciant. An upasaka was a lay follower of Buddhism (upasika for a woman). A shramana was an ascetic or renunciate of the non-Vedic traditions such as Buddhism and Jainism, not a priest of high status; that describes a Brahmana priest.
- 1. Parivrajaka: a wandering renunciant.
- 2. A shramana is an ascetic; a high-status priest is a Brahmana.
- 3. Upasaka: lay follower of Buddhism.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: pair 2 is mismatched; a shramana is an ascetic, not a high-status priest.
- (b) Right: parivrajaka and upasaka are matched correctly.
- (c) Wrong: pair 2 is mismatched, and pair 1 is correct.
- (d) Wrong: includes pair 2, which is incorrect.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.