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History · Medieval

Bhakti Movement: 70 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 70 questions on Bhakti Movement between 1979 and 2026: CSE 26 · CDS 20 · CAPF 14 · Geo-Scientist 4 · NDA 4 · CISF (LDCE) 1 · EPFO (APFC) 1. 38 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 26 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

Practise these 70, one at a timeRead the questions

Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

Geo-Scientist2025Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Consider the following statements about the Virashaiva Movement : 1. The Virashaiva Movement was led by Basavanna. 2. Virashaivas worshipped Shiva in his manifestation as a Linga. 3. Vachanas, composed in Kannada, are the main compositions for understanding the Virashaiva tradition. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Virashaiva Movement → led by Basavanna; Shiva worshipped as a Linga; Kannada Vachanas the main compositions
NDA2025 · 1Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·3

Which of the following statements about Srimanta Shankardeva is/are correct? 1. In the late fifteenth century Shankardeva emerged as one of the leading proponents of Vaishnavism in Assam 2. He was the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism 3. His teachings are known as Bhagavati Dharma 4. He encouraged the establishment of satra and naam ghar Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Shankardeva → leading Vaishnava proponent in Assam (late fifteenth century); teachings called Bhagavati Dharma; encouraged satra and naam ghar | Gaudiya Vaishnavism → not founded by him
CAPF2024Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

What is Nalayira Divyaprabandham ?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Nalayira Divyaprabandham → anthology of compositions by the Alvars
CDS2024 · 1Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

How many of the following statements about Bhakti poet Namdev is/are correct? 1. He seems to have played a part in transmitting the southern Bhakti to northern India. 2. He was a rigorous monotheist and opposed caste distinctions. 3. He was a devout follower of Kabir. Select the correct answer.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Namdev → transmitted southern Bhakti to northern India; rigorous monotheist opposing caste | NOT: a follower of Kabir
CDS2024 · 1Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Which of the following statements about Virashaivism is/are correct? A. The Virashaivism traces its origin to the five great religious teachers— Renuka, Daruka, Ghantakama, Dhenukama and Vishvakama. B. The Virashaiva philosophy is called Shaktivishishtadvaita—the non-duality of God. C. Ashtavarana are the eight rules of the Virashaivism to be observed by the followers. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Virashaivism → five great teachers as listed; Shaktivishishtadvaita philosophy; Ashtavarana, the eight rules (per key)
Geo-Scientist2024Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Which among the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Nalayira Divyaprabandham is an anthology of Alvar saints‘ compositions. 2. Tevaram is the collection of Tamil Shaiva hymns. 3. Nalayira Divyaprabandham is also described as the Tamil Veda. Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Nalayira Divyaprabandham → anthology of Alvar compositions, called the Tamil Veda | Tevaram → Tamil Shaiva hymns
CDS2023 · 2Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·3

Which of the following statements about the Vaishnava saint of Assam, Shankardeva, is/are correct ? 1. His teachings are often known as the Bhagavati dharma. 2. He encouraged the establishment of satras or monasteries and namghars or prayer halls for the transmission of spiritual knowledge. 3. His major compositions include the Kirtana-ghosha. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Shankardeva → teachings called Bhagavati dharma; satras and namghars; composed the Kirtana-ghosha
NDA2023 · 2Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

Which one of the following statements about the Bhakti movement is NOT correct ?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)NOT correct about Bhakti → avoided traditions that promoted diversity | Bhakti → inclusive and diverse; Rama and Krishna worship in the north; Tulsidas saguna, Kabir nirguna
CSE2022Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

The world‟s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ramanuja's teaching → the best means of salvation was devotion
NDA2021 · 1Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

Which of the following statements about Saguna bhakti traditions is/are correct ? 1. Saguna bhakti traditions focus on the worship of specific deities such as Vishnu or his avatars. 2. In Saguna bhakti traditions, Gods and Goddesses are conceptualised in anthropomorphic forms. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Saguna bhakti → worship of specific deities like Vishnu or his avatars; gods conceptualised in anthropomorphic forms
CAPF2020Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Consider the following statements about the Lingayats A. They bury their dead B. They are great believers in the caste system, especially in the theory of purity and pollution C. They are against child marriage and favour widow remarriage Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Lingayats → bury their dead; against child marriage, favour widow remarriage | Oppose the caste system, not believers in purity and pollution
CAPF2020Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Which one of the following statements about the Bhakti Movement in South India is NOT correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)NOT correct → Karaikkal Ammaiyar a devotee of Vishnu | Karaikkal Ammaiyar → Nayanar, devotee of Shiva
CAPF2019Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

What is Sant bhasha ?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Sant bhasha → language of the nirguna mystics
CDS2019 · 2Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Who were the Nayanars?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Nayanars → leaders who were devotees of Shiva
CDS2019 · 2Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Who were Alvars?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Alvars → immersed in devotion to Vishnu
CSE2017Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·3

With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, Consider the following statements : 1. It is a song and dance performance. 2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance. 3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Manipuri Sankirtana → song and dance performance narrating the life and deeds of Lord Krishna | NOT: cymbals the only instruments
CDS2016 · 2Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 9·3

Which of the following statements about the philosopher Shankara is/are true? 1. Shankara espoused a form of Vedanta called Advaita. 2. He elaborated on the philosophy of Gaudapada. 3. Shankara tried to demonstrate that the Upanishads and Brahmasutras contain a unified, systematic philosophy. 4. Shankara founded the Amanaya Mathas. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Shankara → Advaita Vedanta; elaborated Gaudapada's philosophy; showed Upanishads and Brahmasutras form a unified system | Amanaya-mathas → attributed to him, likely set up centuries later
CSE2016Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements : 1. Siddhas (Sitters) of the Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry. 2. Lingayats of the Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region → monotheistic, condemned idolatry | Lingayats of Kannada region → questioned rebirth, rejected caste hierarchy
CDS2015 · 2Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

The 'Sur Sagar' is

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Sur Sagar → poetic work of Surdas
CDS2014 · 2Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Consider the following statement Statement I: The twelfth century witnessed the emergence of a new movement in Karnataka led by a Brahmana named Basavanna. Statement II: The Lingayats worshipped Shiva in his manifestation as a Linga Codes:

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Basavanna (a Brahmana) led a twelfth-century movement in Karnataka | Lingayats worshipped Shiva as a Linga | II not the explanation of I
CSE2014Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·3

With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements : 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. 3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Sattriya → music, dance and drama; living tradition of the Vaishnavites of Assam | Songs → by Assamese saints (Sankardev, Madhavdev), not Tulsidas, Kabir, Mirabai
CDS2013 · 2Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·1

Which of the following statements is/are not correct about Bhakti tradition in South India? 1. Earliest Bhakti Movements in India were led by Alvar and Nayanar saints. 2. Nalayira Divyaprabandham, frequently described as Tamil Veda is an anthology of compositions by the Alvars. 3. Karaikkal Ammaiyar, women Alvar saints, supported patriarchal norms. Select the correct answer using the codes given below

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Answer C (official UPSC key)NOT correct (per key) → Nalayira Divyaprabandham (Tamil Veda) is an anthology of Alvar compositions
CAPF2011Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

Which of the following statements about the Bhakti movement is/are correct ? 1. The Bhakti movement evolved as a homogeneous movement. 2. The Bhakti movement helped to bridge the gulf between Hinduism and Islam. 3. The movement rescued Hinduism from the challenges of its own complexities. Select the correct answer using the code given below ;

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Bhakti movement → bridged the gulf between Hinduism and Islam; rescued Hinduism from its own complexities | NOT: a homogeneous movement
CAPF2009Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

Consider the following statements relating to the Bhakti Movement : 1. The Bhakti and Sufi Saints gradually brought about a better understanding of the fundamental tenets of Hinduism and Islam, underlining the fact that they had a great deal of similarity. 2. The Bhakti and Sufi Saints also brought about important changes in the approach to religion, laying greater emphasis on formal observances and rituals. 3. They also contributed to the growth of regional languages and literature. Which of the statements given above is/are not correct ?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)NOT correct → Bhakti and Sufi saints emphasised formal observances and rituals | They opposed ritualism; better understanding of Hinduism and Islam; growth of regional languages
CSE2001Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List-I (Bhakti Saint): A. Namdev; B. Kabir; C. Ravidas; D. Sena List-II (Profession): 1. Barber; 2. Weaver; 3. Tailor; 4. Cobbler

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Namdev → tailor | Kabir → weaver | Ravidas → cobbler | Sena → barber
CSE1990Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 13·2

Consider the following pairs: Vaisnava Saints Region of strong following 1. Ramanujacharya South India 2. Chaitanya Central India 3. Vallabhacharya Gujarat and Braj area 4. Ramanand North India Of these pairs:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ramanujacharya → South India | Ramanand → North India | Chaitanya → Bengal, not Central India | NOT: Vallabhacharya → Gujarat and Braj area
CSE1985Bhakti MovementOn card AMH 9·3

Which of the following statements regarding Adi Shankaracharya is/are correct? 1. He was one of the greatest Hindu scholars 2. He was born in Kerala 3. First ever Indian feature film in Sanskrit was made after his name 4. The above feature film was adjudged the best film for the year 1983 5. He wrote a commentary on the Upanishads Of these statements:

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Adi Shankaracharya → great Hindu scholar; born in Kerala; commentary on the Upanishads; first Sanskrit feature film named after him, best film for 1983

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