UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 12: History and Culture

What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?

aThe meditation of the Buddha

bThe Buddha's First Sermon

cThe Buddha's Mahaparinibbana

dThe Buddha's Mahabhinishkramana

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Early Buddhist art avoided showing the Buddha in human form and used symbols. An empty seat or throne stood for the Buddha's meditation and presence. The Bodhi tree stood for enlightenment, the wheel (dharmachakra) for the First Sermon, the stupa for the Mahaparinirvana, and the horse for the Great Departure (Mahabhinishkramana). Human images of the Buddha appear from around the first century CE, in Gandhara and Mathura.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: the empty seat symbolises the Buddha's meditation.
(b) Wrong: the First Sermon is shown by the wheel and deer.
(c) Wrong: the Mahaparinibbana is shown by the stupa.
(d) Wrong: the Great Departure is shown by the horse without a rider.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.