UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 19: History and Culture
Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the ‘Pradeshika’, ‘Rajuka’ and ‘Yukta’ were important officers at the
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Ashoka's Third Major Rock Edict names the yuktas, rajukas and pradeshikas as officers who had to tour their jurisdictions every five years to inspect the administration and teach dhamma. They were part of the district-level machinery: the pradeshika headed a district, the rajuka handled revenue, survey and judicial work in the countryside, and the yukta was a subordinate officer. Provincial heads were royal princes (kumaras) and the central tier had ministers and mahamatras. Remember: yukta, rajuka, pradeshika means district officials.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: villages were handled by lower local headmen, not these officers.
- (b) Right: the edicts show these officers working at the district level.
- (c) Wrong: provinces were governed by princes (kumaras) and viceroys.
- (d) Wrong: central administration was run by ministers and mahamatras.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.