UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 20: History and Culture
In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni (‘mistress of the field’) originate ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The term kshetra-patni, 'mistress of the field', occurs in the Atharvaveda, which has many hymns on agriculture, fertility and household rites. The Rigveda speaks of the male Kshetrasya Pati, 'lord of the field'. The Ashtadhyayi (Panini's grammar) and the Arthashastra (statecraft) are later texts with other concerns, so they are not the source of this phrase.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: the Rigveda has the male 'lord of the field', not the 'mistress'.
- (b) Right: the Atharvaveda is the source of the term.
- (c) Wrong: Panini's Ashtadhyayi is a grammar and later in date.
- (d) Wrong: the Arthashastra is a later text on statecraft.
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.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.