Buddhism, Jainism and New Religious Thought – NDA History PYQs

NDA 2026-I

Q. 1. If you like to visit famous Jain pilgrimage sites, which towns will you have to travel to?

I. Moodabidri

II. Madurai

III. Sonagiri

(a) I and II only

(b) I and III only

(c) II and III only

(d) I, II and III

Answer: (b) I and III only

Explanation: Moodabidri in Karnataka is a major Jain pilgrimage centre. It is often called the Jain Kashi of the south. Sonagiri in Madhya Pradesh is also a key Jain site. Madurai is mainly known for its Hindu Meenakshi temple. So option (b), Moodabidri and Sonagiri only, is correct. Concept Tested: Major Jain pilgrimage centres across India

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA sometimes mixes a genuine Jain site with an unrelated pilgrimage town. Check each site’s actual religious link carefully.

NDA 2015-I

Q. 2. Which one of the following is the common element among Rajagriha, Vaishali and Pataliputra?

(a) Pali canon of the Sthaviravadins was compiled there

(b) Ashokan Major Rock Edicts were found there

(c) Places where Buddhist Councils were held

(d) Places associated with the compilation of Buddhist canons of the Mahasanghikas

Answer: (c) Places where Buddhist Councils were held

Explanation: Rajagriha hosted the First Buddhist Council after Buddha’s death. Vaishali hosted the Second Council about a century later. Pataliputra hosted the Third Council under Emperor Ashoka. All three cities share this council-hosting connection. So option (c) is the correct common element. Concept Tested: Sites of the early Buddhist Councils

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA frequently pairs a Buddhist-era place with its specific event. Learn place-event links, not just place names.

NDA 2015-I

Q. 3. Which one among the following sects was associated with Gosala Maskariputra?

(a) Vajrayana

(b) Ajivikas

(c) Sthaviravadins

(d) Mahasanghikas

Answer: (b) Ajivikas

Explanation: Gosala Maskariputra, also called Makkhali Gosala, founded Ajivikas. Ajivikas followed strict determinism, called niyati, in their philosophy. Vajrayana, Sthaviravadins, and Mahasanghikas are different Buddhist schools instead. So option (b) Ajivikas is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Founder of the Ajivika sect

NDA 2014-II

Q. 4. Who among the following was associated with the formulation of the basic ideas of the Mahayana Buddhism?

(a) Nagarjuna

(b) Kashyapa Matanga

(c) Menander

(d) Kanishka

Answer: (a) Nagarjuna

Explanation: Nagarjuna developed core Mahayana ideas like shunyata. He founded the influential Madhyamaka school of thought. Kanishka patronised Buddhism but did not formulate its doctrine. Menander and Kashyapa Matanga link to different Buddhist episodes. So option (a) Nagarjuna is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Founder of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy

NDA 2012-I

Q. 5. Consider the following statements relating to Jain literature:

1. The sacred books of the Jainas are known as Siddhanta or Agama.

2. The language of the earliest Jain texts is eastern dialect of Pali known as Ardha Magadhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation: Jain sacred texts are indeed called Siddhanta or Agama. So statement 1 matches standard Jain literature terminology. Ardha Magadhi is a separate Prakrit, not a Pali dialect. It is related to Pali but not literally derived from it. So statement 2 wrongly labels Ardha Magadhi’s identity. Only statement 1 is correct among the two. Concept Tested: Jain scripture terminology and the language of early Jain texts

NDA 2009-I

Q. 6. Who among the following was a contemporary of Gautam Buddha?

(a) Nagarjuna

(b) Kanishka

(c) Kautilya

(d) Mahavir

Answer: (d) Mahavir

Explanation: Mahavira and Buddha lived around the same historical period. Both preached in the region of Magadha and Bihar. Kautilya and Kanishka belong to much later centuries. Nagarjuna lived even later, shaping Mahayana philosophy. So option (d) Mahavir is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Contemporaries of Gautam Buddha

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA often mixes Buddha’s true contemporaries with later Buddhist or Mauryan figures. Only Mahavira fits the same era.

NDA 2009-I

Q. 7. Where did Buddha attain Parinirvana?

(a) Bodh Gaya

(b) Kushinagara

(c) Rajgriha

(d) Vaisali

Answer: (b) Kushinagara

Explanation: Buddha passed away at Kushinagara in his final years. This event is called his Mahaparinirvana in Buddhist texts. Bodh Gaya is instead linked to his enlightenment. Rajgriha and Vaisali relate to later councils and sermons. So option (b) Kushinagara is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Site of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana

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