Ancient History · Chapter 4 of 15

Buddhism: BPSC Prelims PYQs

23 previous-year questions on Buddhism, asked 1996–2025. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.

1. 1. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

   Where was Gautama Buddha born?

   1. AIn Kundagram
   2. BIn Pataliputra
   3. CIn Lumbini
   4. DIn Vaishali
   Answer and explanation →

2. 2. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

   At which place did Mahatma Buddha give his first ‘Dhammachakkhapavattana’?

   1. ALumbini
   2. BSarnath
   3. CPataliputra
   4. DVaishali
   Answer and explanation →

3. 3. 65th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020 Asked again

   Where did Gautama Buddha give his first sermon?

   1. APataliputra
   2. BSarnath
   3. CGaya
   4. DVaishali
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

4. 4. 67th BPSC Prelims 2022 Asked again

   Who got enlightenment in Bodh Gaya?

   1. AMahavir Swami
   2. BGautam Buddha
   3. CSamdhar Swami
   4. DParshvanath Swami
   5. ENone of the above/ More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

5. 5. 41st BPSC Prelims 1996

   Four important events of Buddha’s life and their related places are given below. Match Schedule-I with Schedule-II:

   Schedule-I (Event)	Schedule-II (Place)
   A. Birth	1. Sarnath
   B. Enlightenment	2. Bodh Gaya
   C. First preaching	3. Lumbini
   D. Death	4. Kushinagar

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below (in the order A B C D):

   1. A1 2 4 3
   2. B2 3 1 4
   3. C3 2 1 4
   4. DNone of the above.
   Answer and explanation →

6. 6. 71st BPSC Prelims 2025

   Which Buddhist council was not held in Bihar?

   1. ASecond
   2. BFirst
   3. CThird
   4. DFourth
   Answer and explanation →

7. 7. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

   In which city was the first Buddhist council held during the reign of Ajatashatru?

   1. ARajgriha
   2. BMagadha
   3. CPataliputra
   4. DKashmir
   Answer and explanation →

8. 8. 67th BPSC Prelims 2022 Asked again

   Who was the chairman of the First Buddhist Council?

   1. AVasumitra
   2. BMahakashyapa
   3. CSangharaksha
   4. DParshva
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

9. 9. 67th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2022 Asked again

   Where was the First Buddhist Council convened?

   1. APataliputra
   2. BRajagriha
   3. CAmaravati
   4. DKanganhalli
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

10. 10. 64th BPSC Prelims 2018 Asked again

    After the Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha, the first Buddhist council was held at:

    1. ARajgriha (Rajgir)
    2. BGaya
    3. CPataliputra
    4. DVaishali
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

11. 11. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

    A Buddhist Council during the reign of Kanishka was held at –

    1. AMagadha
    2. BPataliputra
    3. CKashmir
    4. DRajgriha
    Answer and explanation →

12. 12. 66th BPSC Prelims 2020 Asked again

    Which of the following rulers convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir?

    1. AAshoka
    2. BAjatashatru
    3. CKanishka
    4. DKalashoka
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

13. 13. 45th BPSC Prelims 2001

    A Buddhist Council during the reign of Ashoka was held at –

    1. AMagadha
    2. BPataliputra
    3. CSamastipur
    4. DRajgriha
    Answer and explanation →

14. 14. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011 Asked again

    Where was the third Buddhist Council held?

    1. ATaxila
    2. BSarnath
    3. CBodh Gaya
    4. DPataliputra
    Answer and explanation →

15. 15. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005 · 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011

    Where did Mahatma Buddha’s ‘Mahaparinirvana’ take place?

    1. ALumbini
    2. BBodh Gaya
    3. CKushinagar
    4. DKapilvastu
    Answer and explanation →

16. 16. 63rd BPSC Prelims 2017

    Tripitakas are the sacred books of the:

    1. AJains
    2. BHindus
    3. CParsees
    4. DBuddhists
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

17. 17. BPSC Assistant 2019

    Which of the following represents a fundamental difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism?

    1. AEmphasis on non-violence
    2. BCasteless society
    3. CWorship of idols of gods and goddesses
    4. DWorship of Stupas
    Answer and explanation →

18. 18. 48th–52nd BPSC Prelims 2008

    The ‘Bodhi Vriksha’ in Bodh Gaya belongs to which generation of its family?

    1. AThird
    2. BFourth
    3. CFifth
    4. DSixth
    Answer and explanation →

19. 19. 60th–62nd BPSC Prelims 2016

    The Chinese traveler 'Sung yun' visited India in -

    1. A515 AD to 520 AD
    2. B525 AD to 529 AD
    3. C545 AD to 552 AD
    4. D592 AD to 597 AD
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

20. 20. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Gautama Buddha was elevated to the position of God during the period of:

    1. AAshoka
    2. BKanishka
    3. CChandragupta Vikramaditya
    4. DHarsha
    Answer and explanation →

21. 21. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

    The teachers from whom Buddha first attempted to gain enlightenment after the Mahabhinishkramana were:

    1. AKaundinya and Kaladeva
    2. BAnanda and Ashvaghosha
    3. CAlara Kalama and Rudraka Ramaputra
    4. DSariputta and Nagasena
    Answer and explanation →

22. 22. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Which one of the following is not common between Buddhism and Jainism?

    1. AAhimsa
    2. BIndifference to Vedas
    3. CSelf-mortification
    4. DRejection of Rituals
    Answer and explanation →

23. 23. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

    Nalanda University was a great center of knowledge of -

    1. ABuddhism
    2. BJainism
    3. CVaishnavism
    4. DSankhya
    Answer and explanation →